“That said, the technologies I seem to be railing against are not what I am railing against so much as the time and place of their employment.”
I think you paint with too broad a brush when you rail against the behavior of the younger generation and their use of modern technology and media and where they use it. And part of the reason is that you are not of their generation. You said in a prior comment:
““We needed neither radio, microwave, cell phone, or computer to do that, and if the power went out, we’d just light a lantern or two and keep going.
I know what people don’t even know they are missing.
Maybe y’all wouldn’t have liked it anyway. ...”
Not to state the obvious but with the exception of the radio, the rest didn’t exist yet, so of course you didn’t need them for entertainment. Modern technology is this younger generation’s form of entertainment, just as singing around a piano and playing instruments was our form of entertainment when we were young, because nothing else was available. People created their own entertainment out of necessity.
There also were larger families back then, and there were stay at home moms whereas now both parents work, so indeed there is less parental involvement and parents have less time for themselves as well. So they sneak in their computer/tablet/cell phone use when they can. It’s this generation’s form of communication, and it is no better nor any worse than how we entertained ourselves when we were growing up. It is adapting to the environment one finds oneself in.
One thing I think we would agree on is that as far as the internet is concerned, it is easier to be anonymous while taking potshots at others, but the internet is so much more than the blogs and forums like FR that allow you to post comments. Few young folks are on these political forums, they are surfing the latest movies, fashions, going on facebook and twitter to share with their friends, playing games, watching movies and TV programs on-line, etc.
In today’s much more hectic world, unlike how ours was when we grew up and communications weren’t so instant, kids fit in their entertainment and talking to friends often on the fly. There’s nothing wrong with that, it is just different than what were our forms of entertainment when we were young. We didn’t have instant communications across the world to have to deal with, or to utilize to our benefit.
I think nostalgia drives many in the older generation to crave a simpler time, with simpler entertainments, but the kids of today don’t have that choice as modern technology has far outpaced anything else in their lives and everyone needs to try to deal with it as it is today’s reality. And actually, the young folks I know thrive on it, understand all of the computer advances, how to use cell phones and tablets, and actually love it.
It’s not easy for someone who is older to understand today’s technology, to embrace it, to not be afraid of it, and therefore many end up resisting it or thinking it is unnecessary. That too is natural, but one should avoid knocking it, discounting it, condemning it, or calling young folks out for avidly pursuing it. If they want a decent job in today’s business market, they must know how to use the available technology.
There are many in the older generation that have learned how to use today’s technological advances also, and as I have stated earlier, I suspect most of those on FR are probably 50 years and older in age. I love using the computer, my tablet, my cell phone, and having the ability to instantly communicate with people all over the country, and all over the world. I have a good friend over in London that I email with all the time.
I love modern technological advances in the medical world as well as it will extend my life as well as that of everyone else. The few negatives that come with modern technology are a small price to pay for all of the positives to be had. And now I am going to go use my microwave to warm up some leftovers. Bon appetit.
I'm talking about 1979. Shows what you know.
Keep trying to put one of my feet in the grave if that suits you, I'll outlive the ones 'keeping up with their fast-paced world' when they are so busy keeping up with their latest yap on facebook they pull out in front of a truck. It happens around here.
Like I said, there is a time and place for everything, but if your sense of instantaneous gratification is so intense you think it is a good idea for a driller on an oil rig (no longer employed thus) to be texting on his phone at 3 AM instead of paying attention to what is happening on the rig, let's just say I'm happy not to work with you. You must sell this stuff, you're so drooly over it.
If you are so addicted to your virtual world have fun.
One thing I think we would agree on is that as far as the internet is concerned, it is easier to be anonymous while taking potshots at others, but the internet is so much more than the blogs and forums like FR that allow you to post comments. Few young folks are on these political forums, they are surfing the latest movies, fashions, going on facebook and twitter to share with their friends, playing games, watching movies and TV programs on-line, etc.
I was specifically referring to the use of Facebook posts to perform character assassination, but maybe you missed that.
It’s not easy for someone who is older to understand today’s technology, to embrace it, to not be afraid of it, and therefore many end up resisting it or thinking it is unnecessary. That too is natural, but one should avoid knocking it, discounting it, condemning it, or calling young folks out for avidly pursuing it. If they want a decent job in today’s business market, they must know how to use the available technology.
Ho hum, you again show lack of comprehension. I have been using computers since the '70s, and still use them extensively in my work. I like the GUI more than paper tape or punchcards, and if I didn't keep on the cutting edge of technological developments, I'd be unable to perform my work at the pace required by the technological developments in other areas of my field.
to reiterate (again) I am NOT knocking the technology. I am knocking the use of that technology when one should be paying attention to other things, like the oil rig they are operating or the operation of the vehicle they are driving. Big messes and dead people can result from such lapses in attention to primary tasks. You laud the ability to send medical data, and that may prove a good thing, but it may be moot if the EMT who scoops you out of your half of the car you were driving while on your phone is keeping up with Facebook while you are in the meatwagon instead of paying attention to you.
Every technological sword has two edges, and you refuse to see the ugly one, or even admit such misuse exists.
I am happy for you, and hope your delusion is organic, not induced by expensive medication so you can afford it all your days.
Enjoy your leftovers.
One more question, oh master of technology. Why do you keep pinging MinuteGal to your responses to my posts? MinuteGal has made no posts on this thread. Is this some weird compulsion to share, or do you have two nicknames here?