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None of those points apply to me. I'm also not miserable. More stressed, yes. Miserable, no.

So you don't think that technology has been an important component in isolating individuals in our society?  Sure, people choose to use computers, but the point here isn't that the Internet is evil or whatever, but that these choices can perhaps be more harmful than people realize.

Society doesn't just "go into one of those declines" randomly.  There are factors that bring it about.  The isolation of the individual can create problems in society, and technology seems to be making that easier than ever before.

dreamkast0r wrote:

So you don't think that technology has been an important component in isolating individuals in our society?  Sure, people choose to use computers, but the point here isn't that the Internet is evil or whatever, but that these choices can perhaps be more harmful than people realize.

Society doesn't just "go into one of those declines" randomly.  There are factors that bring it about.  The isolation of the individual can create problems in society, and technology seems to be making that easier than ever before.

I have used the internet to meet many, many people. Rather than being isolating I have found the net to be fantastic for finding other like minded people. People who I end up meeting in real life.
Most of my interests have an on-line component and that enhances and enables me.
I met my wife online.
I think certain types of people have always been isolated. Today they sit and surf instead of sitting and watching TV or listening the the radio. Or maybe they just do all 3.

dreamkast0r wrote:

So you don't think that technology has been an important component in isolating individuals in our society?  Sure, people choose to use computers, but the point here isn't that the Internet is evil or whatever, but that these choices can perhaps be more harmful than people realize.

Society doesn't just "go into one of those declines" randomly.  There are factors that bring it about.  The isolation of the individual can create problems in society, and technology seems to be making that easier than ever before.

Yes, I totally agree with what you just said here. I dont agree with the link though.

I think sometimes about how many cars you pass on the beltway everyday. But notice how even there I said something that speaks volumes about the way society is alienated from each other- I said cars, not people. But think about it: if you were walking the same route, and everyone else was walking too, maybe you'd wave to each other, recognize each other as people, maybe have a conversation etc.

Thats not to say cars and interstate highways are the bane of modernity, boviously. Its just a minor point amidst a whole lot of other points you could analyze that basically shows that technology has this effect that comes with it of abstracting our existence in weird ways.

On the other hand, humans are extremely adaptable. Pariah says he finds more friends with the internet, for instance. But many studies found that increased time spent online correlated with a tendency towards feelings of depression and isolation. Parents are worried these days about whether or not their children will be able to appreciate the outdoors and experience of nature.

Martin Heidegger wrote some brilliant pieces on technology and humanity, I think he made a lot of valid points concerning it.

Yeah, personally I have no idea why people text so much. Just call them! Sheesh.

NAG wrote:

Yeah, personally I have no idea why people text so much. Just call them! Sheesh.

Texting is more like passing notes. It has its use depending on circumstances. You pass notes in class, not at the bus stop.

But you're right - people do it WAY too much.

I agree with point #4.  Far too much, "everyone's a winner" mentality going on in today's world. 

If you suck, you should be told, so you can get better.

No, I mean why you have to do that in a meeting.

Those bear pictures made me sad.

Part of my problem is that I'm just too tired to entertain people at the end of the day.    And, they always claim they're too busy/tired as well.

facebook killed my social life /sarcasm

not all the points apply to me, but I am kinda interested to see how it would effect people who use lots of texts and such... i only check email twice a day if that so idk how effected i would be.