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- Thread starter The Ancient Mariner
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Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Yes, but not a smartphone. My wife bought one (nice to have when she was in hospital, being in touch with others) and I imagine she will give it to me when I will go to Sweden and Germany next year. I am not planning to use it like the people on those photos though.
Cornfed Hick
Ancient Mariner
In my business I'm expected to have a cell phone--nay, a smartphone--so I can constantly be in touch. On the one hand, it means you are on call 24/7, which sucks, but that's the nature of the business. On the other, I spend a lot less time in the office than I used to. Now, I can leave work early guilt-free to be at my kids' games, for example, because I can still receive calls, exchange emails or review documents if needed. (You just need to make sure you are engaged with your kid and don't have your head buried in your phone when he or she scores a goal/TD/home run/etc.) Independent of work, I use it frequently to coordinate plans with friends and family. Frankly, I'm not sure how you folks function without a cell phone.
Yeah, it is unfortunate that a critical attitude towards technology seems to lead to technophobia. The picture I posted made the point that technology has the danger of replacing human interaction - but that is not the necessary outcome, or the fault of technology. As I said, I use my cellphone numerous times every day, but usually only for coordinating meetings or sharing quick information if necessary. In other words, it is the exact opposite of such a replacement.
The next thing is, like it or not, the cellphone was the outset of a development that has grown into much more. A smartphone is not primarily a telephone. It is heading into a direction when it will turn into a universal mobile device that does more than phone and text. I know that I will own one sooner or later, and the reason I don't have one is that I can't afford it - especially because the technology is not fully developed and the device is superseded every year. I'm waiting for it to become more practical.
In summary you can say that being critical of technology does not mean you need to reject it.
The next thing is, like it or not, the cellphone was the outset of a development that has grown into much more. A smartphone is not primarily a telephone. It is heading into a direction when it will turn into a universal mobile device that does more than phone and text. I know that I will own one sooner or later, and the reason I don't have one is that I can't afford it - especially because the technology is not fully developed and the device is superseded every year. I'm waiting for it to become more practical.
In summary you can say that being critical of technology does not mean you need to reject it.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
By paying attention.
Check this out, if you have the time hehe! http://www.squidoo.com/smart-phones-ruin-society
Conclusion:
SMARTPHONES AND SOCIETY
CONCLUSION:
Smartphones are without doubt great pieces of technology, but in certain situations people should make a conscious effort to turn the phone off and talk to one another. If we don't, we run the risk of becoming a very introverted society where conversation becomes less and less of a common occurance and runs the risk of being a skill, which only a few people possess.
I worry about the social impact of smartphones but I'm not sure I can do much about it. I am overplaying the current situations but who can say, that in a few years time this will be the norm?
CONCLUSION:
Smartphones are without doubt great pieces of technology, but in certain situations people should make a conscious effort to turn the phone off and talk to one another. If we don't, we run the risk of becoming a very introverted society where conversation becomes less and less of a common occurance and runs the risk of being a skill, which only a few people possess.
I worry about the social impact of smartphones but I'm not sure I can do much about it. I am overplaying the current situations but who can say, that in a few years time this will be the norm?
I like my smart phone... much like Cornfed, I can be out of the office and still get stuff done. Which I like-- and which is much more efficient than sitting at my desk for half an hour waiting for a call/email... Instead, I can be working somewhere and still have the ability to receive the information i need.
And I can surf maidenfans while walking through the lobby..
And I can surf maidenfans while walking through the lobby..
____no5
Free Man
Smartphone is a PC in your pocket and yes, maybe a lot of people do not need that (yet), but for some is a huge tool and time saver.. I resisted for some time before getting a cellphone a few years back, same thing for my iphone now..
The difference is that I always had cellphone because everybody else had, so I had to have one. Never really realized its necessity. The smartphone, on the other hand, is a tool that makes my life easier and once I purchased it I regretted so hard not to have done this some years earlier. Necessary?? Absolutely. For everyone?? Not yet.
Having more than 10000 pages of rules & standards in my pocket, receiving emails, cloud computing, plus a huge number of useful and relatively cheap apps, I wouldn't trade this device even if it wasn't to make calls at all!!
The difference is that I always had cellphone because everybody else had, so I had to have one. Never really realized its necessity. The smartphone, on the other hand, is a tool that makes my life easier and once I purchased it I regretted so hard not to have done this some years earlier. Necessary?? Absolutely. For everyone?? Not yet.
Having more than 10000 pages of rules & standards in my pocket, receiving emails, cloud computing, plus a huge number of useful and relatively cheap apps, I wouldn't trade this device even if it wasn't to make calls at all!!
Cornfed Hick
Ancient Mariner
Yes, though it wasn't really an article, it looked more like a series of short blurbs. Also seemed to be a series of opinions without any real research. If anything, the article demonstrates the negative impact the text-and-tweet culture is having on the art of writing.
I actually think that there is something valid to the point that people will text and email rather than call or speak in person -- but as a a long-time misanthrope, I view that as an unambiguously good thing! But seriously, I think people probably have the same amount of spoken-word conversations they used to have, or close to it, but they are now better able to communicate (albeit on a more shallow level) with others to whom they would not necessarily have had the time or inclination to speak directly. There is also more information available, which makes real-time conversations over dinner or a beer more informed and interesting. I therefore believe smartphones generally lead to greater and often more meaningful human interaction.
Agreed. Except when you are sitting with a person who is on their cellphone instead of talking to you.Yes, though it wasn't really an article, it looked more like a series of short blurbs. Also seemed to be a series of opinions without any real research. If anything, the article demonstrates the negative impact the text-and-tweet culture is having on the art of writing.
I actually think that there is something valid to the point that people will text and email rather than call or speak in person -- but as a a long-time misanthrope, I view that as an unambiguously good thing! But seriously, I think people probably have the same amount of spoken-word conversations they used to have, or close to it, but they are now better able to communicate (albeit on a more shallow level) with others to whom they would not necessarily have had the time or inclination to speak directly. There is also more information available, which makes real-time conversations over dinner or a beer more informed and interesting. I therefore believe smartphones generally lead to greater and often more meaningful human interaction.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
That's the core of the issue, I assume.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
I am nervous. First time to work since the death of our daughter. Not to work yet, but to speak with the company doctor (or however you'd call it)... :/
edit: something ridiculous happened: I made a mistake with the date, it's next week!
Well, at least I got to see some of my collegue which was pretty nice.
edit: something ridiculous happened: I made a mistake with the date, it's next week!
Well, at least I got to see some of my collegue which was pretty nice.