Is this world addicted to tech?

It's ubiquitous, but I don't think humanity's any more addicted to modern technology than they were to the latest technologies of ages past.

That being said, I would like to see the pendulum swing the other way and more kids and adults taking in the world around them instead of the world as-seen through their devices.

Tech is now a requirement for almost all forms of employment.

Right now I'm watching as my family members who are graduating high school struggle to use computers and even the internet. They are so ill prepared, and everyone else thinks they've got it down because they can log onto Facebook and use iTunes. Unfortunately they have no idea how to really use the internet beyond a few social media sites, they can't type correctly (and thus are very, very slow at it), have basically NO troubleshooting skills whatsoever, and they have no idea how to protect themselves online (always clicking ads, don't know how to read URL bars, refuse to learn how to run anti-malware software, etc).

I think some people may use tech excessively, but I don't think they're in the majority. "Excessively" is something I would define as someone going out of their way to use technology rather than use a simpler alternative. And even then, I wouldn't necessarily call doing that a bad thing, just a little more involved for no reason other than to do it.

KitKatMatt said:

Right now I'm watching as my family members who are graduating high school struggle to use computers and even the internet.

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Woah, woah. I am assuming they're between 15-30 yo (I have no idea how old you can be when finishing high school). But.. I can't believe that because I am no real tech freak or nerd but I'm capable of using computers the way they're supposed to be used.. Why are they struggling so much? I can't imagine it lol.

Orange Crow said:

Woah, woah. I am assuming they're between 15-30 yo (I have no idea how old you can be when finishing high school). But.. I can't believe that because I am no real tech freak or nerd but I'm capable of using computers the way they're supposed to be used.. Why are they struggling so much? I can't imagine it lol.

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They're about 18 years old.

They've cut computer/keyboarding from schools over the last few years to make room for study halls. The goal of the new study hall classes is to push more information for passing standardized testing at the end of the year. The school can get bonuses if lots of kids pass it, and unfortunately they've been becoming the be-all and end-all of public schooling.

When I attended school (some years ago, lol), we had plenty of computer and keyboarding courses. It started when we were in kindergarten, learning on the huge beige blocks that could only display in black and green. Later on in fourth grade we were on Macs and learning how to use the internet, how to read URLs, and a very intense course on how to type correctly without looking at the keys. The typing bit was very difficult at first, but I am extremely grateful for it now.

I know quite a few teachers from a few different states. I was shocked to hear one of them complaining that they've cut a dedicated keyboarding class (regular typing skills, plus letter composition, and word processing skills) to make room for a study hall in both semesters for a test being given at the very end of the year. That was a few years ago, and I've heard from one person that they've done away with all formal computer classes (apparently they're trying to lump computer skills in with another class to save a class period).

I don't know what they're doing in my specific school district, but I'm deeply saddened by the results I'm seeing.

Yes. Humans are addicted to technology. We need technology to survive.
Mind technology is everything that you use to make your life easier. Even a pen and paper and blankets can be considered technology.

@KitKatMatt wow. That's not good. Thanks for the explanation.

My only problem with technology is that people have their noses in their phone so much that it might as well be attached to their face. They can rarely carry on a conversation but they can text you until their fingers fall off. Take their phones or internet away and they start hyperventilating. I am speaking in generalities and not specifics.

KitKatMatt said:

Right now I'm watching as my family members who are graduating high school struggle to use computers and even the internet. They are so ill prepared, and everyone else thinks they've got it down because they can log onto Facebook and use iTunes. Unfortunately they have no idea how to really use the internet beyond a few social media sites, they can't type correctly (and thus are very, very slow at it), have basically NO troubleshooting skills whatsoever, and they have no idea how to protect themselves online (always clicking ads, don't know how to read URL bars, refuse to learn how to run anti-malware software, etc).

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Ugh. I'm well aware of this from having to repeatedly clean up kid's computers. Everyone thinks they know more because of the reputation of some kids knowing more than their parents, or knowing just enough to be dangerous. They seem to learn tricks more than really learn what they are doing.

I think there are a good number of people who are addicted - if not to the tech itself, to the feeling of always having the latest and greatest. Just look at any store when the new Apple device comes out.

historyincognito said:

I was just thinking This as I am on phone right now. For almost every one has a blog and everycompany needs to be online now and is has changed the way people do business. What do you think?

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I get an email on my telephone when someone responds to one of my posts. I do not remember signing up for any of that, it is all sort of automatic. Even facebook people can text me on my phone. We have come a long way from when a computer was the size of a room and you had to punch holes in a card to get information into the computer. Do not fold, spindle or mutilate. I just wish it was more standardized. I do not like having to figure out how to do new stuff on the computer.

We absolutely are addicted to technology, but we cling to the things that make our lives seem easier.

I've actually noticed many of my peers beginning to drift away from technology for a more natural life. They're beginning to reject social media, modern technology, and even daily comforts like consistent access to electricity. It's pretty fascinating to see the shift in some circles.

It's an extension of humanity at this point.
How you use it, and how knowledgeable you are in the right areas is the defining part of how well spent your time is.

“Technology” is all kinds of tools, including pick axes and toothbrushes. I assume that information technology is what we're discussing here.

I do believe that information technology can a blessing, but it's also a double-edged sword. It has made it easier to stay in touch with people that live in other places, yet we haven't necessarily become more social. Many people are increasingly finding themselves isolated in spite of all this information technology. It's quite certain that information technology also has negative effects, and unless we restrain our use of them we might actually be worse off than before. Literal addiction to information technology is actually not only possible, but it's becoming widespread.

I think we've overestimated what information technology does for us, especially in educational settings. For those of you who read books, check out “The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future”. Sure, the book is provocative, but he has some really strong arguments.

It's just going to get much worse.

What people are addicted to is paying invoices: they don't mind high Monthly fees. By high I mean in $, not what You get. Also they don't realize that rare earth minerals are used in ALL today's cell phones (even the most simple ones) and laptops with touch-monitors, or don't care.

Man is not only addicted to technology, it has become like an additional limb.

Sadly, not much is being done to make technology sustainable, i.e. last for thousands of years.

Seriously, we have the technology to make radiation and EMP resistant digital hardware for example but only the military gets it for the sake of "economy".

In the unfortunate case our Earth's magnetic fields collapsed, even for just a short period of time, our society will be transformed overnight. Guess what, a huge chunk of the population will be wiped out due to the chaos and we wake up to a world run by the military who still has the working technology. Suddenly, we just became their slaves.

It has become easier to spread your sermons all across the globe. Pastors should take advantage of that.

To answer the question, I have heard of people "I don't have a cellphone" and everyone look at that person weird. Another case was when someone said "I will send that to you" and the other person said "My cellphone is old and cannot connect to the internet."

At the same time my parents were sort of afraid of computers and technologies for the longest time. Then about 2 years ago they start using smart phones and now they can use it no problem. Computer is too complicated. But a smart phone they can handle.

So there are people do not use technology as much. But in general everyone nowadays assume that you have a smart phone that's connected to the web and you know how to use it.

dreaminofireland said:

My only problem with technology is that people have their noses in their phone so much that it might as well be attached to their face. They can rarely carry on a conversation but they can text you until their fingers fall off. Take their phones or internet away and they start hyperventilating. I am speaking in generalities and not specifics.

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It always make me happy when I a family at work who purposely stack their phones or something.

KitKatMatt said:

Right now I'm watching as my family members who are graduating high school struggle to use computers and even the internet. They are so ill prepared, and everyone else thinks they've got it down because they can log onto Facebook and use iTunes. Unfortunately they have no idea how to really use the internet beyond a few social media sites, they can't type correctly (and thus are very, very slow at it), have basically NO troubleshooting skills whatsoever, and they have no idea how to protect themselves online (always clicking ads, don't know how to read URL bars, refuse to learn how to run anti-malware software, etc).

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How did they make it through school?

And how does someone who was born in the US in 1997 not know these things?

TX_Matt said:

It always make me happy when I a family at work who purposely stack their phones or something.

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I think that is a great thing for families or even friends to do. Put the phones away, at least until the meal is over, and talk to each other.