Have Smartphones Destroyed Humanity?

[Roli]

Unfortunately..... It would have to be drip fed via social media because most of them could not concentrate long enough to completely read the article.

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

At what age you guys think Cell Phone should be introduced to a kid ?

High school.

You're driving, you get a phone.

This was my thought as well. But even then, I would limit its access, just like the car.

We wouldn't allow our kids to have unlimited access to sugar (cookies, cakes, candy) which has addictive properties (they would eat that stuff non-stop) but we have no problem giving them unlimited access to something else equally addictive ... and yes, they're gobbling it up with no hesitation.

 

[Mutant]

I would say kids should have a phone when they're old enough to be by themselves outside. Not like playing the garden, but say taking themselves on the trip to school (could involve public transport or walking & be before they can drive), meeting friends in town or some other place where there's no supervision, etc. Basically anywhere they could have an emergency & no guarantee of a responsible adult to turn to. This was about aged 11 for me. Or even potentially even younger if you need a system (& don't have an alternative) to communicate that you may be picking them up late, or someone else will pick them up, etc. (very circumstance specific.) HOWEVER this doesn't need to be a smart phone. Just calls & texts cover these eventualities.


Oh yeah, & f.lux now offers Grayscale... What's new with f.lux after citing Center for Humane Technology - seems relevant!

In fact, the Center for Humane Technology have a good page of suggestions that's worth it's own link:

Take Control

 

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[amp0193]

This was my thought as well. But even then, I would limit its access, just like the car.

Some would be appropriate, sure. Especially at first. You ease into it. But at the same time, teens need to learn to be independent and control their own impulses and choices, and deal with consequences.

As access is extended, you would need to regularly talk/coach your kids about good habits, consequences, anxiety related to social media use, etc. I'm going to be doing this for the next 10 years as my kids grow up... I'll let you know if it helped.

My parents never talked to me about any of that, so I spent hours a day on AIM and video games and maybe slept 5 hours a night.

The real mistake, was them not allowing me to fail, and bailing me out of things. I might have learned some control, if my poor decisions led to actual consequences.

 

[amp0193]

When they can pay for it themselves both the cost of a phone and service plan...

I think this is my favorite answer. I'm doing it.

 

[ChrisV]

New Studies Link Cell Phone Radiation with Cancer

New study showing cancerous effects of cellphones on a particular type of cell which wraps around nerves (Schwann cell). Tested on 3000 rats.

It's not an "alarming" rate, but statistically significant. With the lesson being, if you use your phone, get a wired headset.

Also, new WiFi routers come with 5G enabled by default.

Anything on WiFi signals?

 

[Olimac21]

And to make it worse, you know there's a strong chance that they were snapchatting or instagraming it too. If I see someone do this at the gym and I'm on a machine behind them I try to get in their selfie with a stupid face.

On a side note, related to this topic, I've noticed that there's been a growth of what I call an internet personality. It's people who can't be themselves and adopt what they see online as if they think that is their own, original personality. You know the type, 'pizza is life,' 'tacos are life,' 'netflix is life,' 'omg pugs are life.' They think they're being cool and unique but they're such a buzz kill.

People these days are more worried about building an online persona than becoming great in real life...

 

[c.dream87]

I agree, the smartphone has created a generation of isolated people (I also speak for myself, unfortunately)

 

[Stevee2K]

That's not correct to say so. The usage of em, maybe. ALmost the same situation as with many things invented in the last 20 years. The easier they make your life, the lazier you are. Once there won't be any devices, we will struggle. But not, I see no reason to give up using em.

 

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[luniac]

Yea i feel that maybe for the first time ever the generation argument doesn't apply here.

This may be the downfall of the first world lol.

 

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[AdamMaxum]

@Longinus - spot on.

 

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[dru-man]

What I find interesting is the development of high end dumb phones.

Best Basic Punkt Dumb Mobile Phones without Internet - Modern Non Smartphone technology
Light Phone 2

1998 functionality with 2018 aesthetics. For $300.

Talk about keying in on a niche!

 

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[Brian Suh]

Great article... bit of a long read, but good.

Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?

Of course it has. It’s literal cancer. That ancietynpeople feel? It’s useful. It’s saying go make friends. Go find your passions. Go help someone to ambe you feel better! This was nature’s agent for change. But we numb that anxiety with quick dopamine hits. That anxiety towards girls? It’s. Saying go approach her!

 

[Tourmaline]

Headsup: Contrarian Opinion

I'm a full-on millennial here... (26 y.o.). I posted earlier... but I've got to say:

I don't think Smartphones have destroyed my generation.
If anything, they've enabled me far beyond anything possible in the past.

The advance of Smartphones and "Social Media" are the most potent, influential, and powerful technologies on the planet today. Smartphones linked to a massive (and increasingly massive network) represent an exponential technology.

Of course there have been growing pains (this is like handing a baby a powertool) and of course there are people who abuse themselves with it. But this is to be expected when humans are handling a technology more powerful than anything in the past.

1. I can connect with my friends and family all over the planet and have subsequently planned on and executed dozens of travel and experiences with them I couldn't have otherwise
   
   
2. I can run my business on the move, from anywhere, at any time or turn on airplane mode and disconnect entirely (if anything, laptops are becoming a dated technology)
   
   
3. Why would I waste my time using a normal map or looking up a train's timetable when the answers are mere seconds away from me and likely more accurate?
   
   
4. Why would I waste my time memorizing a bunch of occasionally useful facts when the information are just a short query away? Do a google search (because how the hell else would you find the information quickly?) on "Transactive Memory"
   
   The internet today, google maps or search as a prime examples are a digital form of transactive memory.

In short, Smartphones have not destroyed anything (other than your sense of 'the good old days').
They're a technological miracle putting almost unrestricted access on information and leveraged action in the hands of billions.

For people like me (who've learned how to use the tech and not be consumed by it) - they are a 10x force multiplier on anything I want to do.

Most of the people I know, most of my network has capitalized on that technology and we live AMAZING lives. Traveling, learning, growing, and using Smartphones as the tools they are meant to be. Just like using a bandsaw or lathe, there is a learning curve. There is danger. There is great risk to focus, well-being, and withering of important analog abilities (like reading a real map).

But those are not smartphone problems.
All of those issues are individual people problems.

Give an idiot woodworking tools and you will see a lost finger.
Give a dedicated, hard-working, and focused craftsman the same tools and you'll witness masterpieces

I could not agree more.

Smartphones if anything merely exacerbate what people want to do.

Those that want to be recluses are more able to do so. Those that want to be social are more able to do so.

I want to say it's unfortunate, but really, it's not, that more people naturally want to be recluses than social. It's scary to be social, to be frank. You're more overtly vulnerable facing the world and people, making new friends, meeting new people, than being a recluse and avoiding it. Of course at the end of the, THOSE THAT BUILD FORTRESSES, as in those that are recluses, end up being way more vulnerable than those that do not.

So destroyed? Hardly. It merely more quickly separates the what from the chaff. Those that bother to go out are even more developed, and it makes finding other people of higher development and value easier to find. But at the same time, those that choose to develop themselves later on, can find information and people to help pull themselves up as well.

It's ultimately a win win.

 

[guy93777]

Anyone interested in this topic, I recommend this book, Pulitzer finalist.
Absolutely disturbing.

The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains: Carr, Nicholas: 9780393339758: Amazon.com: Books

The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains [Carr, Nicholas] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains

www.amazon.com

yes

this is why people who can learn to focus again will be masters of the markets, the crowd and society

View: https://youtu.be/LJ9lnspNNRE?t=3




---> your american bankers even explain it to you on the dollar bills but you haven't understood the message






so i explain it for you :








.

 

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[ChrisV]

Headsup: Contrarian Opinion

I'm a full-on millennial here... (26 y.o.). I posted earlier... but I've got to say:

I don't think Smartphones have destroyed my generation.
If anything, they've enabled me far beyond anything possible in the past.

The advance of Smartphones and "Social Media" are the most potent, influential, and powerful technologies on the planet today. Smartphones linked to a massive (and increasingly massive network) represent an exponential technology.

Of course there have been growing pains (this is like handing a baby a powertool) and of course there are people who abuse themselves with it. But this is to be expected when humans are handling a technology more powerful than anything in the past.

1. I can connect with my friends and family all over the planet and have subsequently planned on and executed dozens of travel and experiences with them I couldn't have otherwise
   
   
2. I can run my business on the move, from anywhere, at any time or turn on airplane mode and disconnect entirely (if anything, laptops are becoming a dated technology)
   
   
3. Why would I waste my time using a normal map or looking up a train's timetable when the answers are mere seconds away from me and likely more accurate?
   
   
4. Why would I waste my time memorizing a bunch of occasionally useful facts when the information are just a short query away? Do a google search (because how the hell else would you find the information quickly?) on "Transactive Memory"
   
   The internet today, google maps or search as a prime examples are a digital form of transactive memory.

In short, Smartphones have not destroyed anything (other than your sense of 'the good old days').
They're a technological miracle putting almost unrestricted access on information and leveraged action in the hands of billions.

For people like me (who've learned how to use the tech and not be consumed by it) - they are a 10x force multiplier on anything I want to do.

Most of the people I know, most of my network has capitalized on that technology and we live AMAZING lives. Traveling, learning, growing, and using Smartphones as the tools they are meant to be. Just like using a bandsaw or lathe, there is a learning curve. There is danger. There is great risk to focus, well-being, and withering of important analog abilities (like reading a real map).

But those are not smartphone problems.
All of those issues are individual people problems.

Give an idiot woodworking tools and you will see a lost finger.
Give a dedicated, hard-working, and focused craftsman the same tools and you'll witness masterpieces

I could not agree more.

Smartphones if anything merely exacerbate what people want to do.

Those that want to be recluses are more able to do so. Those that want to be social are more able to do so.

I want to say it's unfortunate, but really, it's not, that more people naturally want to be recluses than social. It's scary to be social, to be frank. You're more overtly vulnerable facing the world and people, making new friends, meeting new people, than being a recluse and avoiding it. Of course at the end of the, THOSE THAT BUILD FORTRESSES, as in those that are recluses, end up being way more vulnerable than those that do not.

So destroyed? Hardly. It merely more quickly separates the what from the chaff. Those that bother to go out are even more developed, and it makes finding other people of higher development and value easier to find. But at the same time, those that choose to develop themselves later on, can find information and people to help pull themselves up as well.

It's ultimately a win win.

I think the answer is simple. Or complex rather. Like many things, there are both Pros and Cons to tech use. I mean to call tech bad is just insane. There are so many obvious benefits to it, otherwise we wouldn't be using it. That being said, there are some glaring mental health effects that we're seeing. Teen depression is on the rise, self-harm, even suicide. And those effects are significantly worse in populations that use a lot of social media. To be clear, it doesn't seem to be smartphones specifically... but Social Media. It creates this scenario where people are constantly comparing themselves. And people only post the best aspects of their live son Social Media. So it give people this constant sense that they're not doing well in life, when in reality people are mostly putting on a facade.

Medical Express - Depressed by Facebook and the like

"Everyone else is better than me. That's the impression you get when you look at profiles on social networks.
Great holiday, fantastic party, adorable children, incredible food: everyone shows their life in the best light on social networks. Those who take a look around on such sites can find that their self-esteem takes a hit as it seems as though everyone is better than them. Users who use social networks passively, i.e. do not post themselves, and tend to compare themselves with others are in danger of developing depressive symptoms. This is what a team of psychologists at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) led by Dr. Phillip Ozimek discovered. The journal Behaviour & Information Technology reports the results July 12th 2019.”


Medical Express - Some Facebook users perceive worsening physical health

Researchers found that participants who compared themselves to others on Facebook had greater awareness of physical ailments, such as sleep problems, weight change and muscle tension.


Medical Express - Negative vs. positive social media experiences and depressive symptoms

"We found that positive experiences on social media were not related or only very slightly linked to lower depressive symptoms. However, negative experiences were strongly and consistently associated with higher depressive symptoms,"



Tech is obviously an overall good thing, but it does have some serious effects that we need to mitigate.

 

[Tourmaline]

@ChrisV Seems like the issue there is people comparing themselves to others. That always leads to misery. Social media just makes it 10000% easier. One should only compare their current self to their previously selves. Never to others.

A lot of this is a symptom of the death of religion and the wisdom that came along with it.

 

[ChrisV]

@ChrisV Seems like the issue there is people comparing themselves to others. That always leads to misery. Social media just makes it 10000% easier. One should only compare their current self to their previously selves. Never to others.

It does. But Social Media takes that problem and puts it on steroids. We see a sharp rise in depression since 2010, when the iPhone gained traction.

 

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[Tourmaline]

Absolutely, and that depression is caused first and foremost by mindset, not the tool!

 

[Envious]

It seems to be the all so common problem of abundance.

Most things in excess are terrible for you. Drugs, food, alcohol, sex etc.
Phones and the Internet are no different.

The issue is that teenagers and children haven't developed the self control to deal with such an addictive and socially acceptable thing like the smartphone.

The responsibility does really come down to the parents, not the government or the corporations as many would want you to believe.

 

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[Santi M]

I've changed the thread title from "destroyed a generation" to "destroyed humanity" ... I've been in Cabo for the last week and witnessed some smartphone insanity to the point a couple of children almost died a tragic death.

Will tell the story when I get back.

I'm sorry but, where's Cabo? I'm not sure if its because the language but I don't know where is that place unless it is here in Spain

 

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[AmazingLarry]

I've started actively making an effort to stay off my phone as much as possible, specifically social media, forums, etc. It's amazing/scary how you just automatically pull your phone out without even thinking in situations where you have a few seconds of down time like waiting for the elevator or in line at the store. It basically becomes instinctual.

A month or two ago and noticed I was doing this and realized I had to break the habit. It hasn't been too hard for me because it's easy for my mind to stay active as I observe my surroundings, but I know it's pretty hard for some people. The addiction is real. I see the majority of people on the subway every day just mindlessly scrolling or watching youtube numbing their minds and it makes me sad for them. I think most people don't realize what they're doing.

 

[lunga ngcobo]

Great article... bit of a long read, but good.

Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?

I use my smartphone for imortant stuff like business calls and communicating with family. Others use them for social media and googling nonsense...

So i would say smartphones are good for unscripted people and very bad for scripted people who believe in all new shit media they witness...

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

Do you think 50 years ago those same parents would have been eyeballs deep in a crossword puzzle?

Not at dinner, and certainly not while taking their first walk on the beach.

This wasn't standard chilling on the beach when one reads a book, does a crossword puzzle, or scans a kindle/iPhone.

 

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[ChrisV]

Minutes later, both parents are again, buried in their smartphone.

Well they obviously had to tweet the story out.

If a tree falls in the forest and no one tweets it, did it really happen?

 

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[1523.]

Theres a need in there somewhere.

If anything I would think that smart phones have made it easy for people to access the worldwide web from there hand to find new
businesses and products all in there hand.

 

[1523.]

Theres a need in there somewhere.

Smart phones open up a would of possibilitys all in your hand.