Facebook vs Life.

Unsay Moon

I have a family who spend a lot of their time staring into space - well it would look like they were if I was unable to see inanimate objects. Anyway, I have found a topic that probably everybody knows something about.


1) Is the introduction of technology such as computers and television into our daily routine causing us to get less out of our lives?

2) Are we hopelessly spending less time communicating with other family and friends?

3) Is this addiction* to these recent electronic technologies causing us to become less creative in imaginative thinking and the Arts?

4) Can an addiction* to watching Television and going on a computer be taken seriously when the addiction is universally perceived as ''normal''?

5) Can this addiction* even exist if it is ''normal''?

6) Can anyone safely say they do not spend time on a computer or television for more than one hour a week? If this is true, what is is your secret?

NOTES
*I am using addiction to mean an abnormal continued dependance on an activity.

Throughout, I am referring to the recent technologies of computers and phones and televisions for use which isn't beneficial for human communication. Such as playing angry birds on the iphone or scrolling through profile pictures on facebook.

top laup

Normal when boiled down basically means doing something the same as the masses in society, and to boil down even further means doing something which the masses in your country, continent or religious circles decide is normal, there is alot more scope in there to add to the definition of normal, but that is not what the question is about so Ill leave it there

A friend of mine said to me once "why do you spend so much time in the outdoors and training" to which I replied "why do you spend so much time playing games on your computer?" touche!


6) Can anyone safely say they do not spend time on a computer or television for more than one hour a week? If this is true, what is is your secret?

freedom of choice

1) Is the introduction of technology such as computers and television into our daily routine causing us to get less out of our lives?

yes, but only if you think so
others would argue differently, some might say it strengthens connections with people you have met travelling for instance and want to stay in touch with and meet up again..like everything it is about your perception.

Trog

Unsay Moon wrote: »

1) Is the introduction of technology such as computers and television into our daily routine causing us to get less out of our lives?

2) Are we hopelessly spending less time communicating with other family and friends?

3) Is this addiction* to these recent electronic technologies causing us to become less creative in imaginative thinking and the Arts?

4) Can an addiction* to watching Television and going on a computer be taken seriously when the addiction is universally perceived as ''normal''?

5) Can this addiction* even exist if it is ''normal''?

6) Can anyone safely say they do not spend time on a computer or television for more than one hour a week? If this is true, what is is your secret?

1) Why would it? Less than what? If I spend more time enjoying myself by watching TV or going on a computer, then how am I getting less out of my life? If I don't wish to do so I can choose not to.

2) This is only the case if we spend time on computers which we normally spend with family of friends. I doubt there are many cases of this.

3) On what grounds is this a legitemate claim? Is creativity contingent on avoiding technology? In what way would an addiction as you describe limit creativity?

4) Is this an addiction? Is it a negative addiction? What do you mean by 'taken seriously'? As in taken seriously as a problem? If so I fail to see your grounds for defining it as such.

5) Of course it can, many habitual addictions exist but are dismissed as normal. Addiction to chocolate, or caffeine, for example. Whether or not it's detrimental is another question, but I don't see any convincing evidence to support such a claim.

6) I can't. I'd say I spend on average at least 20 hours a week watching TV. I also do a lot of other things. What's your point?

SparkyTech

My own euro's worth...

1) Is the introduction of technology such as computers and television into our daily routine causing us to get less out of our lives?

I believe so. Communication skills are going out the window. Family dinners, time with friends etc in the ''real'' world has moved away from social interaction and onto an online relem where we dont speak to each other, just stare at a screen instead.

2) Are we hopelessly spending less time communicating with other family and friends?

With the advent of technology, its easier just to send a text or have a 30 sec phone call to get your message accross. Its not that we are communicating less often, just not in as greater bouts of time

3) Is this addiction* to these recent electronic technologies causing us to become less creative in imaginative thinking and the Arts?

Dont know about the wider picture but Facebook is, without a doubt, destryoing creative thinking. I avoid it as much as possible to avoid getting sucked in to mindless hours of procrastination spying on other peoples ''fabulous'' lives. I actulay feel myself getting more braindead. after spending over an hour on the thing

4) Can an addiction* to watching Television and going on a computer be taken seriously when the addiction is universally perceived as ''normal''?

It is bieng taken seriously. Councillers and mental health professionals constantly cite addiction to socail media/computers/video games as an ongoing problem.

5) Can this addiction* even exist if it is ''normal''?

Of course it can. Every one of us has battled with it at some point in our lives or indeed at least once or twice a week

6) Can anyone safely say they do not spend time on a computer or television for more than one hour a week? If this is true, what is is your secret?

Thats only about 5% of the worlds population (who prob don't have access to a backberry or TV in the first place, imo).

David Matthew

Unsay Moon wrote:

Throughout, I am referring to the recent technologies of computers and phones and televisions for use which isn't beneficial for human communication. Such as playing angry birds on the iphone or scrolling through profile pictures on facebook.

[my emphasis]

Hi Unsay Moon,

An interesting thread, and certainly one that touches the lives of millions of people worldwide. Just a note on the above definition; beware of essentially answering your own question in advance!

There's no question that many nuances of face-to-face discussions and interactions are lost when communicating exclusively in the digital doman (although Skype trumps IM on that count). However, that said, it's really a question of how much you let yourself be drawn in.

You might find the following article of interest:

The Anti-Social Network

Personally, I feel enormously grateful for the communicative privileges bestowed by modern technology; but on more than one occassion, I have felt like plugging out my broadband and disabling my phone for good! When this mindset overtakes me, I'm well aware that I am the problem, rather than the tools at my disposal. If one gets seriously bogged down by Facebook, MySpace spam, the incessant roll of tweets that just seem to blur into one another, then a step-back is needed. We are only slaves to technology insofar as we allow ourselves to be.

Gerard.C

This is a subject I often debate with my friends. The title of this thread really caught my eye. Facebook, and other social networking sites, are becoming such an addiction for people in or around my age its ridiculous. I'm 21, and I have friends who literally cannot go 10 minutes without being on their iphone. I'd admit to using the internet a fair bit - I'm not against the idea of the internet or anything like that. But this addiction to socialising through a screen, in my opinion, could be crippling for future generations.

Look how bad it is now. It is literally a case of if I was on Facebook, and me and X go out for a pint, and X meets his friend Y, introduces me, and Y goes away again. I am almost guaranteed a friend request from Y the next day. Then within minutes I could make myself completely aware of what Y has been doing since Y joined facebook, what he/she likes in most areas, 100's of photos. That, to me, is absolute madness.

Unsay Moon, in my opinion, their is a serious addiction to facebook, etc.. and it is damaging society, but it isnt being seen as any sort of a problem at all, because as you have said, the addiction is seen as "normal". Not even joking here - I was once told I was being unsocial for not being on Facebook. How could you become more social by spending more time staring at a screen? It baffles me. The fact that this was even said to me boggles my mind. And this is only 2011. Give Social Networking 10/20 years - imagine the damage we will see then.

What do people think?

cleremy jarkson

This might be a controversial opinion, but I believe the availability of the internet has facilitated the growth of mental illness in the first world. All other things being equal, I believe that a person is more likely to suffer depression when they have access to the instant gratification that is the internet, than when they live in a more social environment. In the past, everybody was forced to interact socially with one another due to the necessity of work and because there was little else to do. Now a person who is naturally unsociable or has depressive tendencies has the tools at his/ her disposal to avoid having to interact with people, thereby facilitating their slight mental problems to become more entrenched and difficult to fix.

It always strikes me as "unnatural" that we can have access to so much, so immediately just by typing into a laptop; our patience and tolerance for inconvenience is diminishing, evidenced by a typical person's frustration when the internet won't work, or it's too slow. I also, personally, believe the internet diminishes our ability to experience wonder or amazement and it basically blunts our emotions or ability to get excited. Remember back in the 80's and 90's when a song you liked would come on the radio, it would make your day; now you can endlessly listen to any songs you like on youtube but it just doesn't have the same effect... we are so spoiled by the availability of music/tv shows etc that we have blown a fuse in our minds that allows us to appreciate and be grateful for stuff.

I know a lot of people would dismiss everything I just said I but believe it to be true.

Here's a good article some of you might have read before

http://www.cracked.com/article_15231_7-reasons-21st-century-making-you-miserable.html

Rhys Essien

cleremy jarkson wrote: »

This might be a controversial opinion, but I believe the availability of the internet has facilitated the growth of mental illness in the first world. All other things being equal, I believe that a person is more likely to suffer depression when they have access to the instant gratification that is the internet, than when they live in a more social environment. In the past, everybody was forced to interact socially with one another due to the necessity of work and because there was little else to do. Now a person who is naturally unsociable or has depressive tendencies has the tools at his/ her disposal to avoid having to interact with people, thereby facilitating their slight mental problems to become more entrenched and difficult to fix.

It always strikes me as "unnatural" that we can have access to so much, so immediately just by typing into a laptop; our patience and tolerance for inconvenience is diminishing, evidenced by a typical person's frustration when the internet won't work, or it's too slow. I also, personally, believe the internet diminishes our ability to experience wonder or amazement and it basically blunts our emotions or ability to get excited. Remember back in the 80's and 90's when a song you liked would come on the radio, it would make your day; now you can endlessly listen to any songs you like on youtube but it just doesn't have the same effect... we are so spoiled by the availability of music/tv shows etc that we have blown a fuse in our minds that allows us to appreciate and be grateful for stuff.

I know a lot of people would dismiss everything I just said I but believe it to be true.

Here's a good article some of you might have read before

http://www.cracked.com/article_15231_7-reasons-21st-century-making-you-miserable.html

Agree 100% with you.

johnnyskeleton

cleremy jarkson wrote: »

This might be a controversial opinion, but I believe the availability of the internet has facilitated the growth of mental illness in the first world. All other things being equal, I believe that a person is more likely to suffer depression when they have access to the instant gratification that is the internet, than when they live in a more social environment. In the past, everybody was forced to interact socially with one another due to the necessity of work and because there was little else to do. Now a person who is naturally unsociable or has depressive tendencies has the tools at his/ her disposal to avoid having to interact with people, thereby facilitating their slight mental problems to become more entrenched and difficult to fix.

It always strikes me as "unnatural" that we can have access to so much, so immediately just by typing into a laptop; our patience and tolerance for inconvenience is diminishing, evidenced by a typical person's frustration when the internet won't work, or it's too slow. I also, personally, believe the internet diminishes our ability to experience wonder or amazement and it basically blunts our emotions or ability to get excited. Remember back in the 80's and 90's when a song you liked would come on the radio, it would make your day; now you can endlessly listen to any songs you like on youtube but it just doesn't have the same effect... we are so spoiled by the availability of music/tv shows etc that we have blown a fuse in our minds that allows us to appreciate and be grateful for stuff.

I know a lot of people would dismiss everything I just said I but believe it to be true.

Here's a good article some of you might have read before

http://www.cracked.com/article_15231_7-reasons-21st-century-making-you-miserable.html

On the other hand, couldn't the internet provide an outlet that many depressed people don't have in their ordinary lives? For example, many people seem to have no difficulty speaking about very intimate problems in the personal issues forum which they may not have a friend or other confidant that they trust to confide in.

I for my part find a lot of my day is spent talking to people, so I like being able to communicate electronically in the evenings. Also, there are many topics that I can't easily talk about during the day (even stuff like books and movies that my co-workers are not interested in etc) which I can discuss on the internet.

Sergio

I will add one thing to this whole debate regarding facebook and the internet.
Everything in moderation!

Jaafa

cleremy jarkson wrote: »

This might be a controversial opinion, but I believe the availability of the internet has facilitated the growth of mental illness in the first world. All other things being equal, I believe that a person is more likely to suffer depression when they have access to the instant gratification that is the internet, than when they live in a more social environment. In the past, everybody was forced to interact socially with one another due to the necessity of work and because there was little else to do. Now a person who is naturally unsociable or has depressive tendencies has the tools at his/ her disposal to avoid having to interact with people, thereby facilitating their slight mental problems to become more entrenched and difficult to fix.

It always strikes me as "unnatural" that we can have access to so much, so immediately just by typing into a laptop; our patience and tolerance for inconvenience is diminishing, evidenced by a typical person's frustration when the internet won't work, or it's too slow. I also, personally, believe the internet diminishes our ability to experience wonder or amazement and it basically blunts our emotions or ability to get excited. Remember back in the 80's and 90's when a song you liked would come on the radio, it would make your day; now you can endlessly listen to any songs you like on youtube but it just doesn't have the same effect... we are so spoiled by the availability of music/tv shows etc that we have blown a fuse in our minds that allows us to appreciate and be grateful for stuff.

I know a lot of people would dismiss everything I just said I but believe it to be true.

Here's a good article some of you might have read before

http://www.cracked.com/article_15231_7-reasons-21st-century-making-you-miserable.html

While I agree with most of that article I have to disagree with point number 6 that is made in it.

While it is true that those sites with the most sensational titles and news stories get the most hits, I can't see that going back to having 3 channels on your TV mostly spewing propaganda will help anyone.

One of the good points of the internet as I see it is the liberalization of news to the ordinary person and the ability to get multiple points of views on a subject is good for everyone.

Eve_Dublin

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

I for my part find a lot of my day is spent talking to people, so I like being able to communicate electronically in the evenings. Also, there are many topics that I can't easily talk about during the day (even stuff like books and movies that my co-workers are not interested in etc) which I can discuss on the internet.

This is the case for me too. I spend 7 hours a day talking to people non-stop (I teach English in Spain) and between classes and after work, I just want to turn off. Boards is fantastic for me to be honest and I find it a sort of therepy. I can express myself to an extent that I couldn't in the real world and sometimes I can feel an actual release of tension that was building up in me over something.

Facebook is another thing. I use it only to check the statuses of friends and family, to update my own and to share photos after big occasions. I don't snoop at all. However, what I have noticed is my use of Facebook chat is making me less inclined to phone home. I convince myself that a "conversation" on Facebook chat is sufficient when I know it's not. However, it has allowed me to keep in touch with people I met while travelling and has lead us to meet up again when we probably wouldn't have if we had to rely on pen and paper or even email.

But then you could argue that perhaps we're not supposed to keep in touch with every single person we ever meet...perhaps we've lost the beauty of spending a short but wonderful time with a person and saying goodbye. I think it takes a lot of the mystery out of chance encounters. Now we know the gory details of the lives of everyone we meet. People, even the most interesting people, have reduced themelves to a Facebook profile. Something mind-numbingly mundane about that to be honest....I'm usually very impressed by people who resist joining it even though I don't have the guts to deregister myself.

I suppose it comes down to keeping an eye on your own habits. I'm very concious that I have to use it in moderation. I find Facebook to be essentially quite boring and I end up staring at it after a few minutes wondering what else it can do...and then just turn it off.

In all honesty, I spend most of my internet time on Boards and I use this forum mainly for discussion. To be honest, I think it's a better use of time indoors than watching telly (I don't own a telly).

I wonder what will become of the next generation though....

[Rasta]

The computer has become an alternative to sport for me unfortunately .
I remember when i was still in primary, i watched tv for max 1 hour a day and
spent the rest of the day playing sports and doing things with friends.
To me tv was a waste of time back then(until pokemon came along!! haha)

What changed is that its much cheaper to just stay at home on the pc and
chat with friends, instead of trying to organise events 24/7.
Today you can be online almost anywhere at anytime.
You are also never technically alone since you use the internet to socialise.

I wish money wouldn't limit me as much as it did, otherwise id be going for a
surf practically everyday of the year!!
At the moment im lucky to get a surf session once every 2-3 months which is frustrating!!!

Although I have to admit at times I would get more out of a pc than 'real life'.
Sometimes the internet can be awesome, however like almost anything else,
too much of anything is never wise.

I would also kind of see the shift over to the computer as a natural one,
as humans have always looked for the easiest way out of everything.
Today its much easier to quickly pop on an iphone/tablet/laptop and call
a friend than to pop over to them every once in a while.
We are lazy and computers definitely suit us, whether good or bad for us.

I-like-eggs,mmm

Due to crappy times....I had to delete my facebook. I did it yesterday evening. Not once have I been tempted to log back on. I needed to do it for my sanity. Seeing stuff I didn't wanna see on someones wall, who I was trying to get over...

And let me tell you, it's very empowering and liberating!!

I feel so much better and calmer since.
And anyway, I think it messes with ones head somewhat and is a complete waste of time.

Another friend followed me in support of my "movement"... ;-)

Try it out...you can always reactivate if you become so desperate.

nyarlothothep

I spend too much time on the internet reading opinions on threads when I could be reading a book and actually learning something, listening to music when I could be practising it, etc. I remember in days of yore that my 56k modem meant that playing videogames was my first interest when using the computer and even that was time better spent. At least I was immersing myself in an entertainment artform. Is it an addiction? Well I find myself like Barney Gumble when he's not drunk, I get so much more done and procrastinate a lot less. However I don't think it is necessarily an addiction in the sense that it is a window onto an immense web of information and communication. In a way severing that from anyone could be compared to stopping them from reading books, yes they can live without it but their world is duller. On the other hand the downside of the net is that one wastes time on it, like I am typing this reply when I could be sleeping.

Facebook is in many ways yet another manifestation of silly social games that people like to play, as it was with myspace and the millions of hideous pages with blaring music and an overload of bad graphics. Its useful for keeping in touch with people but thats where it ends for me. I have no desire to boast about what I'm doing or present a picture to the world which isn't real. One thing I dislike about facebook is its ubiquity and the way it collects info on everyone. I can see that power being abused somewhere down the line.

metrovelvet

The internet is a great tool but can also be a huge time waster.

Same with facebook. I dont have facebook relationships as such, to me its like a bulleting board of such, but I prefer the human voice.

I have a three and a half year old boy who starts school in a year and half. My feeling is the best way to avoid him or any boy getting an ADD diagnosis in the future is to limit screen time of any kind.

CerebralCortex

metrovelvet wrote: »

The internet is a great tool but can also be a huge time waster.

Same with facebook. I dont have facebook relationships as such, to me its like a bulleting board of such, but I prefer the human voice.

I have a three and a half year old boy who starts school in a year and half. My feeling is the best way to avoid him or any boy getting an ADD diagnosis in the future is to limit screen time of any kind.

Luckily feelings don't qualify the truth.

unknownlegend

OP apologies for the short response but I'm on a mobile device.

I think you'd really enjoy/benefit from reading Martin Heidegger's paper "The Question concerning technology".

Look past the often difficult analogies and consider that technology need be nothing technologic. It should spur you to further thought and insight regarding your questions

Gerard.C

unknownlegend wrote: »

OP apologies for the short response but I'm on a mobile device.

I think you'd really enjoy/benefit from reading Martin Heidegger's paper "The Question concerning technology".

Look past the often difficult analogies and consider that technology need be nothing technologic. It should spur you to further thought and insight regarding your questions

You have a link by any chance? I had a google around there and could only find summarys. I'd rather form my own opinion on it, you know yourself