The Internet and You: Closer to the world or more detached?

[EllieTalbot]

I suppose this question is more for people 30 and over, who remember life before the internet.

Although we have exponentially more access to information (an arguably invaluable benefit) and people we'd otherwise never connect with, it's often said that the internet age has made us more disconnected from life. After all, our eyes tend to be glued to screens, not our surroundings, whether we're at home or out and about.

So for those of you who remember the world before, what do you think? Has this change to our social dynamics been more of an improvement than a detraction, or vice versa?

Querying in Queensland,
Ellie

 

[Hard_Rom]

Are I-zombies more in touch with the world with their heads down tapping away at screens? Or more involved in their own little personal world.

Gaming. Used to be able to get PS games that were 4 person co-operative. You and some buds could sit around and all play a game. Now they are all just single player or co-op over net. Gamers are very anti-social outside of the games they play. I'm a gamer.

Anything which takes you away from getting outside and interacting with the real world is bogus. RL is a common term on the internet.

There was a time when the internet was new, it was hoped to be a thing of liberation. Free from the clutches of gov and bus. Now the internet is slowing down because of banner ads. You can't get away from banners and pop-ups trying to sell you shit. Started slow due to poor technology. Got way faster as tech improved. And now is slow as it was in 2000 due to time to load ads. Long running script non responsive.

Until technology brought qwerty keypads to phones we were in danger of reducing language to a series of OMG, LOL, ROFLMAO, 2nite, 2morrow, brb, b4. Still haven't shaken that off completely.

Anonymous trolls spouting hatred and lies. Propagation of hatred and things that can't be discussed here.

Who writes letters anymore?

Wikipedia which makes sages of us all about the only real positive thing.

 

[Aquagal]

You're right. I can more easily get information by just a few clicks, verses reading the newspaper, going to the library to research facts, physically speaking with people to discover this or that about the world. I'm closer to more knowledge but disconnected somewhat in day to day interactions.

Make a phone call and have to put up with chit chat or send off a one line text for the quick answer. Socially regressing.

 

[Aella_]

You're right. I can more easily get information by just a few clicks, verses reading the newspaper, going to the library to research facts, physically speaking with people to discover this or that about the world. I'm closer to more knowledge

So true. And to the right knowledge (ie I would never have heard of certain great thinkers without it. I just stumbled across them accidentally, while browsing youtube etal).

But disconnected somewhat in day to day interactions.
Make a phone call and have to put up with chit chat or send off a one line text for the quick answer. Socially regressing.

Indeed. But just adding to that:
It also melts the boundaries imposed by geography or long distance.
- If one has family overseas : one can communicate at the drop of a hat, and they no longer feel so far away.
- It also allows one to find their social niche. Aka to 'socialise' with people with whom they have more in common, instead of being stuck in a social environment that doesn't suit them.

 

[Doom_Guy]

The internet has undoubtedly caused people to become more detached from one other, because they prefer to interact with each other on social networking instead of in person.

And before the internet, it was television that got people sitting in their houses/apartments most of the day instead of physically doing something.

Technology has made people dumb and lazy.

http://105.imagebam.com/download/WP42_eFgj5Jiiju70KYMOg/46472/464711478/70%27s.jpg

 

[Hard_Rom]

TANSTAAFL

Give with one hand take with the other.

Technological marvels produced from natural resources and then turned into toxic garbage.

And all the time less energy available to do things as entropy increases.

Ease of communication by high tech gadgets. Rare earths required for electronic components. Supplied by Congolese warlords. Same rare materials recycled in 3rd world toxic dumps.

More things to do. Less time to do them in.

Are we driven by essential needs or desired wants?

I digress.

 

[Aella_]

The internet has undoubtedly caused people to become more detached from one other, because they prefer to interact with each other on social networking instead of in person.

And before the internet, it was television that got people sitting in their houses/apartments most of the day instead of physically doing something.

Technology has made people dumb and lazy.

Ummm… That's also true, for those (like myself) who lack the willpower or discipline.
I wish I'd be more selective about things, or be less addicted to the net.

In saying that, for me the good outweighs the bad.

 

[warrior queen]

Most definitely a detraction.
Just today, I saw an elderly man trip on a curb and fall into the street. Instantly, a bunch of young adults whipped out phones to take pictures and video of the fall, rather than help his elderly wife lift him up.
Had I been closer, I would have helped - as it was, by the time I got there the old couple were on their way....
But I did give the onlookers a piece of my mind! (Which, btw, went down like a brick )

Sadly, all too common these days.
Your thread was prophetic

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

I said yes, but only for one reason.



Too many people think that this greater connectivity has led to "societal evolution," a better, more informed society that can abrogate human behavior to the point where a more Socialized and centralized government with broad ranging powers that can abrogate human nature will make us more free and prosperous.

In The Last Knight of Liberalism, Jörg Guido Hülsmann outlined the same school of thought that was prevailing in Germany and AUstria as the world marched towards global meltdown, economically, and socially.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Most definitely a detraction.
Just today, I saw an elderly man trip on a curb and fall into the street. Instantly, a bunch of young adults whipped out phones to take pictures and video of the fall, rather than help his elderly wife lift him up.
Had I been closer, I would have helped - as it was, by the time I got there the old couple were on their way....
But I did give the onlookers a piece of my mind! (Which, btw, went down like a brick )

Sadly, all too common these days.
Your thread was prophetic

p_p_man used to trip and fall all of the time sans phone...

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Yes, we have more facts available, but they are filtered by our natural confirmation bias...

 

[Lancecastor]

Fuck the Internet.

I blame Pong.


http://bavatuesdays.com/files/2012/02/1pong.gif

 

[about_average]

I voted neither. In some ways a lot better, in others a lot worse.

As for which is the majority, there's no going back so I'm not going to worry about an internet poll about it, there are too many more important things on the internet to worry about.

 

[BabblingBrooke]

Preference is also a factor, here. We have a self-selecting sample of people who frequent at least one message board.

For me, the Internet has given me the opportunity to make amazing friendships with people I would never have met, otherwise. I keep in touch with relatives in other states with ease. My kids and I enjoy shared laughs over Ifunny and other hilarious corners. My kids and I snapchat, even.

I do think childhood is different and taking breaks from electronics is a must. I am very glad my friends and my teenage shenanigans weren't publicly broadcast.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

*chuckle*

I spent the afternoon yesterday texting trying to convince a teenager that I wasn't his friend Josh, I didn't know when practice was, and I wasn't going to the awards banquet that evening...



I took several hours. It's like they think they know everything!

 

[Ishmael]

I suppose this question is more for people 30 and over, who remember life before the internet.

Although we have exponentially more access to information (an arguably invaluable benefit) and people we'd otherwise never connect with, it's often said that the internet age has made us more disconnected from life. After all, our eyes tend to be glued to screens, not our surroundings, whether we're at home or out and about.

So for those of you who remember the world before, what do you think? Has this change to our social dynamics been more of an improvement than a detraction, or vice versa?

Querying in Queensland,
Ellie

I haven't voted yet, still chewing on the question. It will overwhelm you with 'noise' if you let it.

Ishmael

 

[Saint Peter]

Closer to the electron world.

Light years away from paying attention to the road while driving.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

there's no going back

I wouldn't say that. There are a number of things that could put us back rather quickly. I can think of a dozen or so without much effort. They may begin tomorrow or a thousand years from now.

 

[miles]

p_p_man used to trip and fall all of the time sans phone...

I wonder what he'd say about the current condition of his beloved Socialist European Utopia.

 

[Disgustipated]

I wonder what he'd say about the current condition of his beloved Socialist European Utopia.

Probably the same as Byron.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

I wonder what he'd say about the current condition of his beloved Socialist European Utopia.

MAR!!!


Strength through diversity!

 

[Lancecastor]

The Interwebs have helped me create hundreds of yummy attachments that would never have happened without.

Interwebs good.

 

[MonaLittle]

Socially? Definitely more negative. Anyone who says otherwise is wearing blinders.

Truth.

 

[Aella_]

What if someone lives in a remote place
where the main entertainment of the local rednecks is drinking beer and catching flies?

 

[MonaLittle]

What if someone lives in a remote place
where the main entertainment of the local rednecks is drinking beer and catching flies?

Then they probably don't have the internet in the first place.