Date: 8/29/2006 7:24:00 PM
From Authorid: 47296
It would depend on what a person uses such devices for. Some use them for entertainment, while others use them as part of their job, or for other reasons.  |
Date: 8/29/2006 7:26:00 PM
From Authorid: 10245
same can be said about the pursuit of money when you have more than God. and power. Same can be said about nearly anything, really.  |
Date: 8/29/2006 7:29:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 28071
Mercury, People have the choice to turn-off these devices, but yet can't seem too. We've all been guilty of it. Its almost like we have no control over them.  |
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Date: 8/29/2006 7:34:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 28071
When was the last time anybody went without using one of these gadgets? The fact is, I think we are in a time and age were if we don't use these perpherials we won't feel in touch with the rest of the world. David/ |
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Date: 8/29/2006 7:37:00 PM
From Authorid: 47296
David, like Mercury said, it can apply to almost anything. Some people cannot live without a phone in their house. Some feel they have to have a car, even when public transportation is readily available. At times, I may be on the road for a week or more without benefit of a computer or television. I do have my cell phone, but it is pretty much an essential for my work, the same way a two way radio or CB use to be. Was that radio an electronic drug? No, it was my means of staying in touch with others I worked with. |
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Date: 8/29/2006 7:43:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 28071
Can a car change your way of thinking like a television though? No, it can't be said of all things. You alluded to using a cell phone. Cell Phones are chaning the way people think now. With cell phones you now have the option to text message people without even having to worry about using any verbal communication skills. David/ |
Date: 8/29/2006 7:46:00 PM
From Authorid: 53052
i think many people have a technology addiction they couldnt live without modern forms of entertainment
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Date: 8/29/2006 7:47:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 28071
As far as a radio? How does one interact with a radio without unconciously knowing it? You still are hearing a human voice being transmitted over a frequency. |
Date: 8/29/2006 7:49:00 PM
From Authorid: 54444
A great post david but I disagree with your assessment. These gadgets widen our communication with the rest of the world and make information accessable that we would otherwise not have. therefore they can and should widen our perspective and improve our ability to think rationally. Rather than being mindless robots, we are exposed to more information and challenges from the real world. In societies where folks have a government or religion that limits there access to information...those people indeed can become mindless robots to a certain philosophy...whatever is perpetrated by their purret master. but with the power of the internet comes power of information and communication and diversity of facts that all help us to be bigger and better thinkers. Of course there are those who will not utilize these tools in this way...but it's a matter of choice...can't blame the machine if the driver uses it incorrectly.  |
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Date: 8/29/2006 7:55:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 28071
interesting perspective, man. To a point it widens communication, but to another point it might widen it too much though? While I agree information helps us evolve globally, even then there is a point where too much information can be an impediment. David/ |
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Date: 8/29/2006 7:58:00 PM
From Authorid: 47296
David, understand something. I have been using a cell phone for over fifteen years. My first one was a module unit that was mounted in my truck. It replaced the radio that I had in there. It had it's advantages, but also it's drawbacks. One advantage was that it gave me the capabiity to contact the office even if I was out of range of my old radio. I work in an industry where communications is paramount. We do not text message each other, because most of our communications are interactive. Overseeing three jobs at one time, I normaly talk to my boss who is 200 miles away, the other supervisor that is on a job 60 miles away, as well as MsPriss who is usually supervising one of the jobs I oversee. Add to that our suppliers that I have to place orders with, as well as customers when they have a question, and you can see where text messaging would never work. Many businesses today do not operate without communications. It is not some evil electronic drug, but a tool, no different from all the other tools you might find on my truck. |
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Date: 8/29/2006 8:05:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 28071
My point was not that cell phones are a viable resource, as in your own personal work-situation Two, it is that cell phones have evolved to a point where you no longer even have to talk to communicate with them. David/ |
Date: 8/29/2006 8:06:00 PM
From Authorid: 44960
A drug is anything that when induced into a rat will produce a scientific report. Now, if you see a rat running around with an antenna on him, than he has been electronically drugged!!  (((PrissieHuggzz)))  |
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Date: 8/29/2006 8:06:00 PM
From Authorid: 10245
and what we refer to as "drugs" are in many cases intended first as "medication". so medication can be abused and turn into a drug habit. technological tools can be abused as well. so the answer is yes. but just because something CAN be abused doesn't automatically make it a bad thing. You don't see them pulling spray paint off the shelves, do you? |
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Date: 8/29/2006 8:08:00 PM
From Authorid: 10245
and peo0ple communicated without speaking for generations before there were any phones. by letter. |
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Date: 8/29/2006 8:08:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 28071
I'm just following the trend of technology, Two....and the tech trend seems to lean towards blurring reality with the cyberworld. Am I not right on this? David/ |
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Date: 8/29/2006 8:09:00 PM
From Authorid: 10245
and rephrase (sorry) not a drug, but something that can be considered addictive. |
Date: 8/29/2006 8:15:00 PM
From Authorid: 62998
I can build a computer, repair, rebuild it again over and over. So I do know what makes a computer work. It's not a "drug" to me  |
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Date: 8/29/2006 8:19:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 28071
Mercury, I haven't maintained that technology is a bad thing. I embrace it, and its something that can save us time and money. On the contrary, this technology is beginning to outgrow its intended use as you mentioned. Of course this is going to happen, but people must be wary of this and not let it control their lives. Let's face it, its not a healthy lifestyle. I just feel there is no emphasis being placed on these addictions. David/ |
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Date: 8/29/2006 8:22:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 28071
Typo, building and repairing is one thing, but can you program everything on it too? David/ |
Date: 8/29/2006 8:46:00 PM
From Authorid: 10344
I know it really freaks me out that I can't go anywhere, that someone doesn't have a phone pressed up to their head. Even when i'm sitting in my car at a red light...I look around and half or more of the people are on the phone. How long till these gadget freaks start getting these things implanted into their heads? I think that a lot of people who use cell phones are often rude in the manner they use them too. So I hear ya loud and clear Fear.  |
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Date: 8/29/2006 9:09:00 PM
From Authorid: 62998
I used to know some programming languages, C, C+, of course Basic, but like the 2 years of French I took in school. Don't use it, lose it. I can still program in HTML and some Javascript. |
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Date: 8/29/2006 9:13:00 PM
From Authorid: 62998
To reply to Mercury, of course there addictive. I used to sit in front of this machine for hours playing Everquest. I had one day (for those who know the game) where my level 34 Wood Elf druid went to level 58 in 12 hours of non stop quad kiting (if you don't know the game, please don't ask me to explain what that means, quad kiting. It would take forever to explain) |
Date: 8/29/2006 9:53:00 PM
From Authorid: 63302
I AGREE.......these devices canbe used purely for entertainment but i believe they can be like a drug addiction. who here besides me is addicted to the internet? i am ....i admit it..kids to video games....good post ff  |
Date: 8/29/2006 10:03:00 PM
From Authorid: 37872
On the otherhand, they are also a means to expand the mind, learn more and think about things that otherwise wouldn't cross our minds. Granted, same thing could be said about drugs.... I think the major contributing factor to making us mindless robots, however, isn't these things, but things actually designed to make us behaviourly conformed social public law abiding non-thinkers, like public schools, monotonous jobs and taxes.  |
Date: 8/29/2006 10:36:00 PM
From Authorid: 36352
I think it is more of a habit and convienience. I am not going to die on a computer trip, nor do I wig if I can't have my cell phone, comp etc. And I don't get on a bad computer high and try to kill myself. By the way, my dad thinks that demons come out of the T.V and that such things as television polute our minds with the devils thoughts. Love and Smiles   |
Date: 8/29/2006 10:38:00 PM
From Authorid: 6915
According to the definition (a. any substance recognized in the official pharmacopoeia or formulary of the nation.
b. any substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in humans or other animals.
c. any article, other than food, intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of humans or other animals.
d. any substance intended for use as a component of such a drug, but not a device or a part of a device.) no these things arn't drugs per say. BUT they do pollute our mind and body in many ways. Its an addiction but is probably not viewed so negativly since it doesn't cause cancer or death. :0/  |
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Date: 8/30/2006 1:06:00 AM ( Admin )
Programming ourselves with these devices is the problem. TV and video games is our childrens teachers and babysitters. What goes in, does change us. Telephones brought families together acrossed the world, now they bring everything in. Families are not connected any more, the kids are connected with each other and have no use for family life. The attention kids get now is from the wrong sources. The value of life has deminised to the point that teen suicided and teem depression is all around us and worse kids killing other kids and themselves is a big problem. Without a real value system nobody knows the value of a life, a love or a friend anymore. Not only are the kids programmed so are we. For guys, it's sports, beer, trucks, girls and food. That's the way tv sees all men now. That's almost all they program for because they have tought us that's what we think is of value. The strange thing about all this is that even though we know this is true, we deny it thinking that we have intelligence and that overrides the programming. Sadly, not so. |
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Date: 8/30/2006 2:21:00 AM
From Authorid: 54444
I see the problem david, but I disgree that its the technology that is causing it. The technology is neither good nor bad--it's neutral. People make a choice how to use it for good or bad. I'm an optimist. I see more good from it than bad. Just like I feel sorry for alcoholics and drug addicts but I don't blame the alcohol or drugs for the problem, similarly I feel sorry for the poor soul that can't control his use of the technology--but I don't blame the technology. I applaud it, am grteful for it and i use it every day to learn and grow and understand the world. I see far more potential for good coming from these things and I regret that some folks misuse the gift. One great advantage to the internet, for example, is that we don't have to be ignorant about other cultures different from our own because of propaganda. People from all cultures can now connect with one another, at least until the destructive government forces of the world find a way to control even this. but for now people of the world have a way to come together. Too much information...impossible, there can be no such thing. Blurred reality by confusing truth with cyberspace reality...only for folks who are already confused about reality. Harmful to kids...very much so if parents let their kids use it without supervision. Dangerous ? yes. which is why its an individuals responsibility to handle it carefully like any other dangerous thing. My only disagreement with you on this is that you are presenting only one side...the negative and that is much too pessamistic a view for me. good post though look at all your responses. |
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Date: 8/30/2006 6:40:00 AM
From Authorid: 62998
In reply to Admin's reply, My generation, the 30'somthings, we actually wen't outside to play. We saw the birth of these devices, but were still in the primitive stages. Like pong for example. The first video game. Nothing more than a very simified tennis game, on each side of your tv you had a small line and the dot would go back and forth unless you missed it, then it would off the screen. We didn't have cell phones when we were growing up, they didn't appear until I was almost 20. I think the point Admin was getting at is, it's not so much that TV and Cell phones and Computers themselves are to blame, it's lack of parenting skills. (Hope I interpted Admin's meaning correctly) My own sister, who has a Marketing job for Clear Channel Radio, she has a 11 year old son, my Nephew Evan. He sits in front of his computer as soon as he gets home or his Xbox 360. He doesn't go outside to play. Different generation, different ideas of what "Fun" is |
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Date: 8/30/2006 6:47:00 AM
From Authorid: 62998
Now replying to Man of Asgard, I agree that Computers are not harmful in themselves to the younger generation. Once again, I'll use my Nephew Evan for the example. He's not allowed to play his games on his computer until he's done his homework, which his computer makes that task a lot easier for him now. He can look things up much faster then we could when back in the all we had were a set of encylopedia's. He types in what he wants to know about and he's looking at tons of information about the subject. So no, I don't agree that it's a dangerous thing for a kid to have a computer. Cell phones also make it easier for a Parent to keep tabs on their kids. In this day and age, you don't know who the predetors are, and a quick call to a cell phone and mom knows right where her kids are. So again, I see no problem with kids having phones. Wish I had one when I was a kid. |
Date: 8/30/2006 9:19:00 AM
From Authorid: 53284
I'd respond to this but I can't lool away from the latest news on the TV.  |
Date: 8/30/2006 11:35:00 PM
From Authorid: 3321
Never thought of it like that. But I've been known to be able to survive without a computer or cell phone.  |
Date: 9/2/2006 8:49:00 PM
From Authorid: 55967
Television and game systems would, I guess, be at the top of the list for becoming addictive to some people who surrender their will to think on their own. I wouldn't put computers and cell phones in there the whole way, although some probably use the computers as such. Many of us us the computer daily for business transactions and for thought-provoking research, and I think that cell phones are mainly for convenience and are not in the addictive category.  |
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Date: 1/11/2013 12:28:00 AM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 28071
I'm a few years late in responding, haha....I guess it's from the toxic overload of technology. Hope everyone is well. |
