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The New Smoking (2021)

conorbroderick.net

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Re: The New Smoking (2021)

#2

Post by rhacker »

I mean he's right. At some point if we're just robots playing candy crush or watching tiktok after tiktok - what's the real downside of just matrixing our society. I mean yes there are people that still skateboard or ski or hike, but if the population that finds meaning in activities disappears in the next 100 years, there's no reason to have physical anything. Might as well call it or fight back.

Re: The New Smoking (2021)

#4

Post by rwbt »

rhacker wrote: post #2

I mean he's right. At some point if we're just robots playing candy crush or watching tiktok after tiktok - what's the real downside of just matrixing our society. I mean yes there are people that still skateboard or ski or hike, but if the population that finds meaning in activities disappears in the next 100 years, there's no reason to have physical anything. Might as well call it or fight back.

I'd imagine there's a lot less motivation to build new physical recreation spaces like skateboards etc if almost everyone is starting at a screen every waking minute.

Re: The New Smoking (2021)

#5

Post by nikanj »

rwbt wrote: post #4
rhacker wrote: post #2

I mean he's right. At some point if we're just robots playing candy crush or watching tiktok after tiktok - what's the real downside of just matrixing our society. I mean yes there are people that still skateboard or ski or hike, but if the population that finds meaning in activities disappears in the next 100 years, there's no reason to have physical anything. Might as well call it or fight back.

I'd imagine there's a lot less motivation to build new physical recreation spaces like skateboards etc if almost everyone is starting at a screen every waking minute.

At the same time, appearances are more important than ever, so it might make business sense to sell equipment to people who want to pose with them. Same with rec spaces too, people don't actually have to partake in the activities, they just have to pay for the membership (and the tagging rights)

Re: The New Smoking (2021)

#6

Post by Broken_Hippo »

rwbt wrote: post #4
rhacker wrote: post #2

I mean he's right. At some point if we're just robots playing candy crush or watching tiktok after tiktok - what's the real downside of just matrixing our society. I mean yes there are people that still skateboard or ski or hike, but if the population that finds meaning in activities disappears in the next 100 years, there's no reason to have physical anything. Might as well call it or fight back.

I'd imagine there's a lot less motivation to build new physical recreation spaces like skateboards etc if almost everyone is starting at a screen every waking minute.

It isn't like they were really building these places before smartphones, though. These are things that are generally either services and cost money rather than make them or they are for-profit places that don't always have much demand. I don't know why it seems surprising that the "motivation" to build these isn't there now since the same restraints are still there.

Re: The New Smoking (2021)

#7

Post by wyldfire »

> This extends to video games, usually of the free-to-play type.

Free games are mostly hot garbage, with a couple of rare exceptions. Many of these are also pay-to-win games which strike me as the most preposterous use of time imaginable.

Re: The New Smoking (2021)

#9

Post by harvey9 »

Broken_Hippo wrote: post #6
rwbt wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd imagine there's a lot less motivation to build new physical recreation spaces like skateboards etc if almost everyone is starting at a screen every waking minute.

It isn't like they were really building these places before smartphones, though. These are things that are generally either services and cost money rather than make them or they are for-profit places that don't always have much demand. I don't know why it seems surprising that the "motivation" to build these isn't there now since the same restraints are still there.

I agree. Local skateboarding places that are free get pretty well-used. Hiking is still popular but requires a bit more time unless you live near somewhere suitable.

Part of the problem is so many people don't have free time and/or money to do anything more than scroll on their phones. That goes for people with good career jobs with long hours, and those scrolling on the bus as they go from one of their low paid part time jobs to another.

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