[Jimbo1234]

Link

That lapse now comes home to me as I see people walking down the street, eyes fixed on the screens of their mobile phones, ears plugged into their iPods, oblivious to their surroundings…to reality itself. They are not managing their tools; their tools are managing them. Tools now make the rules, and we struggle to keep up.


Linda Stone, formerly a developer of interactive media for Microsoft, has studied the multitasking of those of us who sit in front of computer screens for long stretches of time. She finds some of the cortisol-triggered responses seen in combat veterans, including elevations in heart rate and blood pressure. And in a 2010 paper for the National Bureau of Economic Research, Decio Coviello of HEC Montréal and his colleagues concluded that multitasking, by spreading attention among many functions, hurts overall performance. Russell A. Poldrack, a neurobiologist at the University of Texas at Austin, has similarly shown that multitasking retards learning.

Worse, though, is that our brains seem to crave the virtual world, with repeated exposure producing changes that resemble drug addiction. According to Gary Small, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, the excitement of getting an e-mail alert causes a release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that reinforces the behavior and thus drives us to crave more such stimulation. Before long, it becomes impossible for people to put down their iPhones and BlackBerries. Dopamine’s effects were shaped by natural selection: It helped to focus our attention so that we wouldn’t be eaten by tigers. These days, it is facilitating our consumption by e-mail and text messages.

Many experts believe our Internet addiction is similar to that associated with gambling. In both cases, people find it difficult to function normally, have stable family lives, or be effective at work.

I certainly have seen people who suffer from this. People who can not live without their phone, who can not go a minute without sharing something to someone, who fear the loss of facebook and texting.

Who would have ever thought that technology was the new tool that damaged society, but will anything be done about it? Most likely not as the corporations responsible have far too much money and power, and many people do not want to admit their problems and addictions. Maybe this is why depression in the West is at epidemic levels and rapidly increasing?

Thoughts and opinion?

EDIT: Look at the denial in the form of neg rep because legitimate research was not already good enough to prove this point

[Kolya]

Technology can be good when used some ways and technology can be bad when used in other ways. It's all about how it's used and implemented.

For example, one could use email but turn off email alerts and just check their email twice a day instead. The negative aspect (addiction-creating behaviour) is removed without losing the positive aspect (electronic mail).

[Jimbo1234]

(Original post by Kolya)
Technology can be good when used some ways and technology can be bad when used in other ways. It's all about how it's used and implemented.

For example, one could use email but turn off email alerts and just check their email twice a day instead. The negative aspect (addiction-creating behaviour) is removed without losing the positive aspect (electronic mail).

But how many people do that?
I know of dozens of people who live on their phone and think that it is perfectly normal and almost pride themselves on sending thousands of texts a month, let alone are even contemplating limiting their usage.
I think the first major obstacle to tackle is informing people of the dangers and how mentally damaging it is.

[Xotol]

(Original post by Jimbo1234)
Who would have ever thought that technology was the new tool that damaged society, but will anything be done about it? Most likely not as the corporations responsible have far too much money and power, and many people do not want to admit their problems and addictions. Maybe this is why depression in the West is at epidemic levels and rapidly increasing?

Thoughts and opinion?

Technology damaging or being able to damage society isn't anything groundbreaking; the author is just highlighting some different ways it is doing so. However, its benefits vastly outweigh the damage that it has done, and that includes the internet. The advantages to society are virtually uncountable and being able to copy this article onto a forum for people to discuss and share ideas is one.

[jumpingjesusholycow]

This happens with every generation.

Thirty years ago, people believed that TV was going to be the reckoning of the human search for knowledge, and today we face new challenges. Whilst there is a point to be made about our obsession with smartphones in combination with a growing compulsion to 'share, like, comment and retweet' every single piece of news and media, I have little doubt that culturally speaking, we will eventually find a way to work it into our culture as opposed to letting it overcome it.

[Jimbo1234]

(Original post by Xotol)
Technology damaging or being able to damage society isn't anything groundbreaking; the author is just highlighting some different ways it is doing so. However, its benefits vastly outweigh the damage that it has done, and that includes the internet. The advantages to society are virtually uncountable and being able to copy this article onto a forum for people to discuss and share ideas is one.

Technology mentally and socially damaging society is new.....when else has this happened?
And I beg to differ about the benefits. So far very few people are even acknowledging the problems, let alone aiming to resolve them. Now when the side affects are most likely extreme depression, that is a problem so large it could easily cause social collapse.

(Original post by jumpingjesusholycow)
This happens with every generation.

Thirty years ago, people believed that TV was going to be the reckoning of the human search for knowledge, and today we face new challenges. Whilst there is a point to be made about our obsession with smartphones in combination with a growing compulsion to 'share, like, comment and retweet' every single piece of news and media, I have little doubt that culturally speaking, we will eventually find a way to work it into our culture as opposed to letting it overcome it.

Sorry, but that is just rubbish.
This problem has a large amount of research going into it rather than 50 year old guess work from Luddites.
So far the problem is getting worse rapidly. I would happily bet my right testicle that this rapid development in tech is linked to the rapid decline in mental health in the West. Culture is very slow to change, and this problem needs to be solved tomorrow, not in 20 years when the damage is far to great. Just look at how the UK is already failing to adjust to life without the Church, and that has been a gradual problem over decades, not years.

[jumpingjesusholycow]

(Original post by Jimbo1234)
Sorry, but that is just rubbish.
This problem has a large amount of research going into it rather than 50 year old guess work from Luddites.
So far the problem is getting worse rapidly. I would happily bet my right testicle that this rapid development in tech is linked to the rapid decline in mental health in the West. Culture is very slow to change, and this problem needs to be solved tomorrow, not in 20 years when the damage is far to great. Just look at how the UK is already failing to adjust to life without the Church, and that has been a gradual problem over decades, not years.

I can't take you seriously when you're using this statement as your qualifier


We'll be absolutely fine, just give it time

[Jimbo1234]

(Original post by jumpingjesusholycow)
I can't take you seriously when you're using this statement as your qualifier


We'll be absolutely fine, just give it time

I don't mean as in we need God or any garbage, but that socially Britain relied on the Church. How did you meet new people and mingle with the community? Church. How could you do that nowadays? Simpy put, you can't.
But of course I doubt you even thought of that before shouting it down right?
As for being fine, please tell me how a rapid increase in depression is fine?

[Spontogical]

Jimbo is absolutely right.

There was a TED talk done by Sherry Turkle about this very thing. I think everyone should watch this, because it is pretty much bang on, with the reasons why people today don't even know how to be alone. And feel that solitude is this evil thing that must never be embraced. Always wanting to share something with someone, just anyone..

http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turk...tml?quote=1461

[im so academic]

If you don't like it, don't use it. If people get addicted to it, leave them.

[SnoochToTheBooch]

it's not technology man, it's people who can't handle technology that get addicted to it. same with gambling, drugs, ejaculating, eating, whatever.

[Jimbo1234]

(Original post by im so academic)
If you don't like it, don't use it. If people get addicted to it, leave them.

And how would have society turned out if it had taken that view with Opium or Brandy? Sadly the majority of people need their hand to be held if society is going to get anywhere, if not, then everyone in society suffers.

(Original post by SnoochToTheBooch)
it's not technology man, it's people who can't handle technology that get addicted to it. same with gambling, drugs, ejaculating, eating, whatever.

Check my reply above

(Original post by Spontogical)
Jimbo is absolutely right.

There was a TED talk done by Sherry Turkle about this very thing. I think everyone should watch this, because it is pretty much bang on, with the reasons why people today don't even know how to be alone. And feel that solitude is this evil thing that must never be embraced. Always wanting to share something with someone, just anyone..

http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turk...tml?quote=1461

Great find on that video.
It is clearly a massive problem but as this thread is showing, most people don't want to know about it...until it is too late of course and then they will ask why and what we could have done. I just think how it is so irnoci that she and everyone else thought that (as one would) instant global communication would have ushered in a new brilliant era for socialising.....not in fact the opposite and kill it.
The example of the family at the breakfast table is perfect along with the issue of children never learning to develop social skills. I have met many people who now struggle with conversation and talking over a phone.

[im so academic]

(Original post by Jimbo1234)
And how would have society turned out if it had taken that view with Opium or Brandy? Sadly the majority of people need their hand to be held if society is going to get anywhere, if not, then everyone in society suffers.

Everyone knows the dangers of addiction. Yet people continue to feed their habits whether it may be drugs, gambling, internet use etc. I just don't give a ****. We are corrupting our own society and there's nothing that can be done about it. Joe Public doesn't care. No one cares. Just live your life the way you want to. Forget other people. Leave them to crash and burn. They know the risks.

[Dmon1Unlimited]

(Original post by Jimbo1234)
Link

I certainly have seen people who suffer from this. People who can not live without their phone, who can not go a minute without sharing something to someone, who fear the loss of facebook and texting.

Who would have ever thought that technology was the new tool that damaged society, but will anything be done about it? Most likely not as the corporations responsible have far too much money and power, and many people do not want to admit their problems and addictions. Maybe this is why depression in the West is at epidemic levels and rapidly increasing?

Thoughts and opinion?

EDIT: Look at the denial in the form of neg rep because legitimate research was not already good enough to prove this point

You do know there are other effects to right? Personality issues due to isolation, health issues due to lack of exercise etc...

This isn't obvious....we learn this stuff in IT... That said, there are obviously advantages to technology... Learning/communication etc, hell it can even save lives...

Parents and the kids/teens/etc both need to learn how messed up they can be from being over dependant....this materialist culture doesn't help...

Improve how kids are raised in order to not be so dependant and it won't be as damaging...
One word.... Moderation

Then again, with inventions that do the work for us, is such a thing actually good for us?

[Jimbo1234]

(Original post by im so academic)
Everyone knows the dangers of addiction. Yet people continue to feed their habits whether it may be drugs, gambling, internet use etc. I just don't give a ****. We are corrupting our own society and there's nothing that can be done about it. Joe Public doesn't care. No one cares. Just live your life the way you want to. Forget other people. Leave them to crash and burn. They know the risks.

Yes, people love to pile on denial by the bucket load when it comes to addiction.........but many people stay away from said activities if they know it is addictive. And here lies the issue; how many people know that tech is addictive? Probably less than 0.1% of people.


You just sound like you have given up with society rather than actually making valid points. To say you don't care means that you do not care about who you work with, live with, and possibly marry/have as your partner which is just rubbish seeing that humans are social animals. The implications of this problem are massive and will affect your life style and the economy/ your job, and to say you don't care about them means that either you were not aware of the scope of such a problem, or probably depressed.

[im so academic]

(Original post by Jimbo1234)
Yes, people love to pile on denial by the bucket load when it comes to addiction.........but many people stay away from said activities if they know it is addictive. And here lies the issue; how many people know that tech is addictive? Probably less than 0.1% of people.


You just sound like you have given up with society rather than actually making valid points. To say you don't care means that you do not care about who you work with, live with, and possibly marry/have as your partner which is just rubbish seeing that humans are social animals. The implications of this problem are massive and will affect your life style and the economy/ your job, and to say you don't care about them means that either you were not aware of the scope of such a problem, or probably depressed.

Since you're so much more aware than me, what do you think we should do to stop this corruption? I'll hazard a guess that the majority of people won't be bothered.

[Dwayne Hicks]

(Original post by im so academic)
Everyone knows the dangers of addiction. Yet people continue to feed their habits whether it may be drugs, gambling, internet use etc. I just don't give a ****. We are corrupting our own society and there's nothing that can be done about it. Joe Public doesn't care. No one cares. Just live your life the way you want to. Forget other people. Leave them to crash and burn. They know the risks.

What a charming philosophy. Is this really the best you can come up with? To bury your head in the sand?

[g_star_raw_1989]

(Original post by Spontogical)
Jimbo is absolutely right.

There was a TED talk done by Sherry Turkle about this very thing. I think everyone should watch this, because it is pretty much bang on, with the reasons why people today don't even know how to be alone. And feel that solitude is this evil thing that must never be embraced. Always wanting to share something with someone, just anyone..

http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turk...tml?quote=1461

That is an interesting video, raises some interesting points. Andrew Keen's talk on his book 'Digital Vertigo' is good also.

[im so academic]

(Original post by Dwayne Hicks)
What a charming philosophy. Is this really the best you can come up with? To bury your head in the sand?

As if anyone really cares about society or even the effects of technology on society. People are just concerned about their own lives (including their friends/families). They don't care for society as a whole. They don't care about strangers. All they care about is what makes them feel good (including their friends/families). After all, you only live once. Do people bother trying to help society in a paramount way? No, they just quote **** about how their day job is necessary for society, but in their own spare time, all they are themselves (including their friends/families). If the main way you help society is your day job, how pathetic. You care just as much as the average Joe. You are not special. You will not "save the world".

[Riku]

(Original post by im so academic)
As if anyone really cares about society or even the effects of technology on society. People are just concerned about their own lives (including their friends/families). They don't care for society as a whole. They don't care about strangers. All they care about is what makes them feel good (including their friends/families). After all, you only live once. Do people bother trying to help society in a paramount way? No, they just quote **** about how their day job is necessary for society, but in their own spare time, all they are themselves (including their friends/families). If the main way you help society is your day job, how pathetic. You care just as much as the average Joe. You are not special. You will not "save the world".

Anddd this is why our society is suffering such poor mental health and becoming reliant on social media for self-esteem, external authority and material goods for internal soothing+validation , /thread
People no longer care. In fact some think it's cool not to care. Sorry, but I'm pretty sick of it. Cynicism does nothing except perhaps protect us from taking a risk which could've been beneficial, so we become trapped in our own cycle of negativity. All it takes is people to start being more self-sufficient, but more caring for others, and we'll have a much happier population.
And I guess it'll be more efficient too from reduced healthcare costs, reduced need for benefits, rising employment and workforce efficiency-if you need a statistical reason for being nicer to your fellow man

____
Definitely agree that technology is a double-edged sword. It's a necessity in the modern world and professionally a lifesaver, but as a social crux it's a false friend. I think most people comes away feeling a thousand times better from having a chat with a friend over a cup of tea than they do sending a dozen half-hearted texts to them every day.
I come home from the gym and felt amazing, after that I've been on this computer for 3 hours straight and already I'm feeling like ****