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I Used to Be a Human Being

nymag.com

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Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#41

Post by ryandrake »

Did this really need a 7000+ word essay? If you don't like Facebook, don't use it. If you're concerned about "distraction overload" then remove things from your life you find distracting. Nobody is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to use smartphone apps and 10 different text messaging systems. If you want to live as a technology-free hermit, go right ahead. But don't try to argue that I should live like you.

The author instead seems to be taking his personal opinions about technology and trying to apply them to everyone. It's not enough that he doesn't like these things. We should not like them either and here's why. Time with my kid is invalid because I also have the TV on? GPS leads me to stop remembering things? Emojis are unsuitable replacements for voicemail? The author imagines restaurants where smartphones must be surrendered upon entering. Cool, you've described a place I'll actively avoid. Where's that "stop liking things I don't like" GIF when you need it?

"Our enslavement to dopamine?" -- how about YOUR enslavement to dopamine? Leave me out of it.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#42

Post by RUG3Y »

I spent the weekend working on my Honda, replacing the timing belt, water pump, clutch cylinders. It's been a long time since I've come up for air, so to speak, and spending the entire weekend off the computer was immensely gratifying. I found more satisfaction in fixing my car than I have in anything for a long time. I found myself thinking that perhaps being on the internet constantly has caused me to lose some taste for life.

I'm taking a vacation soon, 9 days with no computer will be a much needed reset.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#43

Post by maus42 »

ryandrake wrote: post #41

Did this really need a 7000+ word essay? If you don't like Facebook, don't use it. If you're concerned about "distraction overload" then remove things from your life you find distracting. Nobody is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to use smartphone apps and 10 different text messaging systems. If you want to live as a technology-free hermit, go right ahead. But don't try to argue that I should live like you…

> If you want to live as a technology-free hermit, go right ahead.

That's very nice, but if you want to live as a technology-free non-hermit you naturally would try encourage other people to join you.

You don't have to read their 7000+ word essays, either, if you have so aggressive reactions to their claims.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#44

Post by te_chris »

ryandrake wrote: post #41

Did this really need a 7000+ word essay? If you don't like Facebook, don't use it. If you're concerned about "distraction overload" then remove things from your life you find distracting. Nobody is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to use smartphone apps and 10 different text messaging systems. If you want to live as a technology-free hermit, go right ahead. But don't try to argue that I should live like you…

Or, how about the writer has experienced something very personal which their editor thought would appeal to an audience as wide as that of NYMag? Perhaps, instead of just saying the writer is wrong, you could try and empathise with the position, see if you feel better after some time apart from the internet. Try and understand another perspective.

Writing is 1 to many, the author was most certainly not writing just for you. No need to be so incensed.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#45

Post by dwaltrip »

ryandrake wrote: post #41

Did this really need a 7000+ word essay? If you don't like Facebook, don't use it. If you're concerned about "distraction overload" then remove things from your life you find distracting. Nobody is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to use smartphone apps and 10 different text messaging systems. If you want to live as a technology-free hermit, go right ahead. But don't try to argue that I should live like you…

You haven't really addressed the article. Are the descriptions of how smartphones have changed society and the people living in it wrong in some way? I'd be curious to hear thoughts on that. You spent 3 paragraphs essentially saying "I disagree", with little elaboration.

"Living technology-free" is a strawman. The author is saying we should be more conscious of how we use technology, not abandon it all together.

P.S. You also seem to be taking it rather personally...

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#46

Post by pmoriarty »

simonbarker87 wrote: post #8

I read somewhere recently that smart phones have essentially become random gratification engines in the same way as slot machines. Sometimes on a slot machine you win the jackpot, because of this every pull gives you an endorphin kick, each time we pick up our phones or get a notification it might be an important/interesting thing, therefore we get a little endorphin kick that keeps us checking. Because of this I tur…

For some reason, I misread what you said as:

"smart people have essentially become random gratification engines in the same way as slot machines."

Somehow, that seems strangely appropriate.

If you're making interesting posts on social networks like Facebook (or HN, for that matter), you're providing that instant gratification you're talking about.

Similar things could be said about those building social networks and the technology that enables them, that are then used for instant gratification.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#47

Post by bernardino »

ryandrake wrote: post #41

Did this really need a 7000+ word essay? If you don't like Facebook, don't use it. If you're concerned about "distraction overload" then remove things from your life you find distracting. Nobody is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to use smartphone apps and 10 different text messaging systems. If you want to live as a technology-free hermit, go right ahead. But don't try to argue that I should live like you…

I don't know. I think the writer is just spreading awareness.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#48

Post by mfringel »

ryandrake wrote: post #41

Did this really need a 7000+ word essay? If you don't like Facebook, don't use it. If you're concerned about "distraction overload" then remove things from your life you find distracting. Nobody is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to use smartphone apps and 10 different text messaging systems. If you want to live as a technology-free hermit, go right ahead. But don't try to argue that I should live like you…

Your data point has been noted by the Ministry of Statistics. Thank you for your participation.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#50

Post by ashark »

Raphmedia wrote: post #24

I fixed my brain by cancelling my internet services. All I had was 1gb of cellphone data. Never been happier. Right now I am back with an internet subscription and I'm miserable. I am an internet addict and having internet at home is very bad for me. I strongly consider cancelling my internet suscription again.

I've had good success putting my laptop away and only using an inconveniently-located desktop when I want to do Computer Stuff. I can still go spend a lot of time on it (sometimes you need to, sometimes you actually want to), but it's a conscious choice to go do that. I can't just carry the cancer that is the Internet around the house with me, flip the lid open "just to check something" and surface two hours later having accomplished nothing.
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