Are people these days too dependent on technology? (generation, suspect, how much)

[rebelwoman]

I'm sure y'all have noticed that most of today's generation is very dependent on technology. Things like cellphones, ipods, & facebook/myspace. I wonder how much of today's society is being eaten alive by totally unnecessary things like this.

For example, I saw a guy in the store the other day just buying some milk. All of a sudden, he flips out one of those fancy ass ITouch cellphones & starts texting like mad. It looked strange to me.

I can also remember numerous times that I saw a homeless man on the corner with a change cup & a beautiful expencive lookin' ipod in one ear. It look's like some people would rather have access to Myspace & portable rap music than a home!

Have you observed the same sort of thing? Do you think that people these days are too reliant on technology or not? Do you think these things are absolutely necessary for people to have these days?

Thanks. from jessie

[texdav]

I really don't see many as any different than when the tleephone was invented for households;ditch witch to dig trenches or any other thing. I guess also fire and it seems some should not be allowed fire.

[Orincarnia]

that man was just making sure he got the proper milk for his pregnant wife, he verified that he needed whole milk for his developing baby, this technology helped him to be a good father and husband.

btw i know that homeless guy, he lost his house in the recession. he sold everything to insure his wife kept the house for their daughter. the only thing keeping him going is the inspirational music given to him on that ipod from his church leader while he gets back on his feet.

you shouldn't criticize people when you haven't walked a mile in their shoes.

[Green Irish Eyes]

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[TKramar]

I've noticed the same sort of thing. There are a lot of things I don't have, and people are surprised that I don't.

While I do own a cellphone, it isn't Internet-capable. I'm not going to get one just because it could make things "easier" for me at some point in the future. I'll just be unavailable. I'll be gone the last week of July, and I won't log in until I come back.

[NomadScribe]

I think it's overkill these days and many people don't even realize it. There are many Facebook, Twitter addicted people who will say that these sites add spice to their life when in truth theres a real damaging and addictive factor going on. People are so ashamed to talk about it, but it's there.

[slackjaw]

I'm sure people were once looking at the transition from hunter/gatherer to planting and maintaining crops as something strange to be dependent on. We evolve, and things that are newer technology evolve right along with us.

[ChrisC]

I would say yes, for sure. But then, I don't trust technology absolutely. I try to think about what I would need to do to live if it were gone. That's one reason much of the newest stuff is totally Greek to me. Yes, I have a computer (obviously), but seriously, I don't even really know what a crackberry or I-phone (sp?) does. I don't care, either. My cell phone allows me to talk to someone. That's as far as I've ever gotten with a phone. I have a prepaid cell phone and have spent maybe 30 dollars on minutes in the last 6 months. I hardly ever use it and it's the only phone I have.

I find much of the newest technology unnecessary and undesirable (for me). In fact, as I said, I don't really even know what much of it does--which is fine because I don't need it. I find most of the gadgets people carry around these days or have plugged into their head to be annoying and sometimes dangerous (texting while driving). The responses people have to their little toys remind me of a baby crying out in the middle of the night for a tit and mommy jumping up or dropping whatever she is doing to placate and coddle junior. Have you noticed what people will interrupt just to answer a telemarketing call? Sheesh, half the time I don't even answer mine even if I know who it is.

[juggler]

I wouldn't say that people are necessarily too dependent on technology; more that they've been suckered into thinking they need it by savvy - er, slimy - marketing campaigns and peer pressure.

Originally Posted by ChrisC

My cell phone allows me to talk to someone. That's as far as I've ever gotten with a phone. I have a prepaid cell phone and have spent maybe 30 dollars on minutes in the last 6 months. I hardly ever use it and it's the only phone I have.

Yup, I'm in the exact same boat. A Motorola Tracfone works fine for me.

I design "smart" phones and tablet computers for a living, so I suspect I know a wee bit more about these devices than most people. But I'm also smart enough to know that I don't have to go out and buy one for myself just because there's a shiny ad online or my cousin Jim Bob just bought one, or the 3 millionth useless "app" for it has just been released.

But hey, if it keeps my paycheck coming, I guess it can't be all that bad!

[Huckleberry3911948]

i dont think so-- since retirement i have become 100% reconnected to the country i left behind 33 years ago when i came here. this was accomplished thru the miracle of the internet.