Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Even though I love using the computer at work and our home computers, I often wonder if the Computer Age is good for our society. I started using a computer at work in 1989 and have learn a lot about it. I had three years of typing in high school, have done a lot of typing since then, so I do indeed know the computer keyboard and 10-key. I remember when inventory was done on a Cardex and when shipping something UPS or FED X, I had to fill out a book. I also remember filling out Purchase Orders at work by hand. My wife remembers using an Accounting Book to do debts/assets and other accounting things.
Having a computer is one thing, but once the Internet is accessed, with all the indecent websites out there and some Chat Rooms that aren't good to get involved with, is it the Internet, the computer or both that is a major problem in today's society?? Couples have cheated on them, kids have posted things that they shouldn't have. Computer info has been stolen.
If we didn't have access to the Internet anymore, would that improve our society?
Input please.....input!!!
i think the internet is great in that it allows the world to share information quickly in a decentralized manner; it promotes free speech. i feel like i can be a more informed citizen in regards to political issues: i can find information on my own instead of relying on bias, corporate-owned media outlets.
also, forums such as this promote discourse and understanding through debate. it provides a platform for everyone to discuss issues... we can really learn so much from each other now!
however, i think the internet also promotes addictive behavior. its another form of entertainment that we rely on today- just like TV and video games. i long for the days when people read books, kids played outside... how many hours do we waste with electronic media and what is it doing to us? i think its stifling our creativity, making us lazy, and filling our kids' minds with negative messages (although the internet is more interactive, and thats a plus, it isnt without its faults in this area).
although forums/chat rooms promote social behavior in one way, the intrnet promotes anti-social behaviors in another way: i wonder if all these kids who learn how to socialize on MySpace, etc are missing out on how to socialize in the real world.
what will all this mean for our future? i do not know.
Is this a question that can be really answered? whether you like it or not the world is dependent on the internet for communication, buisness, and many other things. Asking if a world without the internet would be better is like asking if the world would be better without cars. Maybe it would, but theres no way to dertimine it or not.
As for the intellectual impact many people didnt read books before internet because of television and before that was radio and before that most people were just couldn't read anyways.
I think most people would agree that the computer age has its pros and cons. I have learned new things, by being able to access information on the internet. I have even changed my mind on some things, because I have been able to read other people's ideas more easily, instead of staying locked into my own mindset. On the other hand, one has to monitor the silly thing, if you have kids or grandkids in the house, so they don't run into something they shouldn't. And, not all information you gain on the internet, is accurate. You have to learn to be very discriminate and pick your way carefully through the pitfalls and mine fields of misinformation. But, that's true of the written word as well. However, I will say that if someone came along and told me that I had to make a choice, computer (i.e. internet) or, all the books I could possibly want, I would choose books, (I would have to buy a new house, though, with a huge library. Complete with a fireplace and comfortable chairs...). I told my friend that, and she wanted to know why. It seems almost old-fashioned, doesn't it? Who would give up the computer/internet? It's not that I would want to give it up, but I still would take the books any day. There is nothing quite so satisfying as sitting down with a good book in your hand. Even with all it's information, the computer can't compare to that! Besides, if the electricity goes out, you can still read by firelight, candlelight, flashlight, etc!
You can create a budget, by using an online template, if needed.
You can create a web page to educate others.
You can create web pages for the family, especially with everyone living everywhere.
You can research products instantly before wasting money on a purchase.
You can search and buy used items.
The downside is having your information stolen, but that is the risk we take with moving forward as a society.
As far as children, they should be monitored, considering one misspelled word can lead to a website of obscenity.
Yes this is so true, like everything in life there's a good and a bad side to everything. Technology is great but there's always risks involved as well. That's life
Even though I love using the computer at work and our home computers, I often wonder if the Computer Age is good for our society. I started using a computer at work in 1989 and have learn a lot about it. I had three years of typing in high school, have done a lot of typing since then, so I do indeed know the computer keyboard and 10-key. I remember when inventory was done on a Cardex and when shipping something UPS or FED X, I had to fill out a book. I also remember filling out Purchase Orders at work by hand. My wife remembers using an Accounting Book to do debts/assets and other accounting things.
Having a computer is one thing, but once the Internet is accessed, with all the indecent websites out there and some Chat Rooms that aren't good to get involved with, is it the Internet, the computer or both that is a major problem in today's society?? Couples have cheated on them, kids have posted things that they shouldn't have. Computer info has been stolen.
If we didn't have access to the Internet anymore, would that improve our society?
Input please.....input!!!
Computers, technology in itself have all kinds of factors. It has a positive and a negative side. I believe we all know what they are but life can be easier by using computers. In work and education computers have been a helpful tool in many ways. The negative thing is that children can chat with a stranger and be in danger by doing so. Moreover they can watch porn and that's one of the worst things about computers. What would life be without computers? I guess we will never find out.
Both. There are some things that would never happen without it. For example:
A couple of years ago I got the albums from my mother's house. Took me 25 years to pry them out of the "keeper".
One of the items in them was a marriage license for a couple that was unrelated to me, but one of my ancestors was a witness. I went to a genealogy site and posted the info about it. License was dated in 1876 if I recall correctly.
Today I got a response from someone in the family, I scanned it and emailed the picture to them and I'm going to mail the original when they send me their land address.
Two interesting oddities to the story:
1. The email she sent got dumped into my Junk folder. I scanned it for some reason and the email sort of "popped out" at me. Normally I don't bother, I just dump them.
2. We usually go to Overland Park, Kansas for my birthday weekend, which is this weekend. This family lives within easy driving distance of Overland Park. It would have been cool to deliver it instead of mailing it.
Good mostly. "A computer is like a hammer..." somebody said above, and that's a true statement. A computer has no emotions, it can't judge, it can decide what course of action to take. The computer user is the one who could be "bad or good."
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
However, I will say that if someone came along and told me that I had to make a choice, computer (i.e. internet) or, all the books I could possibly want, I would choose books, (I would have to buy a new house, though, with a huge library. Complete with a fireplace and comfortable chairs...). I told my friend that, and she wanted to know why. It seems almost old-fashioned, doesn't it? Who would give up the computer/internet? It's not that I would want to give it up, but I still would take the books any day. There is nothing quite so satisfying as sitting down with a good book in your hand. Even with all it's information, the computer can't compare to that! Besides, if the electricity goes out, you can still read by firelight, candlelight, flashlight, etc!
No Turning Back Now
Yes
I believe it's both
