Has technology really made our lives better?
In many ways I believe I couldn't get along without technology. I've often said if someone were to take away my smart phone, you'd find me aimlessly wandering the streets like a bumbling idiot. And don't get me started how life would be without a DVR. Watching television shows when they actually air? That just gives me the shivers.
But a few days ago, my dad forwarded an email to me with a bunch of cartoon illustrations depicting how life was before vs. how it is now. And as much as I think technology is great, you have to just sit back and laugh at the humor of what it has really done to us.
The email had seven illustrations in it but I hand-picked my favorite three. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
These illustrations are all copyright of their respective owners.
3 comments for this blog post so far...
January 31, 2012 at 9:37 am
Tony Jarana
I truly believe the first cartoon sums many of my feelings up. Everything, instantly, all the time, is NOT a good thing. Technology is supposed to be FOR us; however, it has become REQUIRED to buy, learn and use these ‘things’ quickly or risk - heaven forbid - “falling behind”!!!!!
I truly think the term ‘sheeple’ applies to the younger generation who blindly consume every new wave and trend of techno gadgets so the have them - regardless of true need. They have been brainwashed by an incredible marketing campaign.
I’m hoping you were kidding when you say without your smart phone you’d be dumb. What were you before the smart phone?
My niece is a bright young person - college graduate, etc, yet she has become so completely reliant on her smart phone she’s become nearly unapproachable in the flesh. It seems she is never where she wants to be, because the only people she communicates with - no matter who she is with - are people not present in the room with her!
I’ve witnessed 10-12 year old kids riding together in the same car who were silent while they texted each other - in the same car - during a 15 minute trip we took. So instead of talking and laughing and SHARING stories with everyone, they silently, feverishly texted away to each other - less than 3 feet away. This is PROGRESS??!!
I’ve worked with many young professionals who can’t hold a 5-minute conversation with me because they are constantly distracted by - or constantly distracting others with - text messaging, tweets, etc. Not being able to sit and talk rationally for five minutes is NOT progress - its regression!
Many of these exact same, so called professionals also are unable to write a complete sentence with correct grammar, spelling or punctuation. That is apparently fine with their other ‘sheeple’; however, when I’m interviewing to hire one of these young pros, I am more than casually interested to know if they can construct a sentence properly. My 7 year-old is capable of that.
In the past 4 years, many urban emergency rooms have seen more than a 1000% increase in severe accidents and injuries due to texting while driving, people walking in front of cabs and buses while texting, people, falling into manholes, walking into light poles, etc. Are these intelligent people? Are their lives better from their technology? Is society better off?
I’m over 50, and the newest technology changes so quickly I simply wait to see what sticks before I acquire a device or even learn what they do. I still enjoy talking to my friends OUT LOUD. I am still very capable of writing complete sentences - proper spelling, grammar, punctuation and everything! What skill sets to have acquired.
The mere fact you felt it important to provide ‘helpful tips’ on leaving a comment is enough for me to know many of the ‘sheeple’ reading your newsletter are in poor shape. You actually provide directions for your readers on how to separate paragraphs!!
I enjoy your newsletters and hope my comments don’t offend anyone - consideration and courtesy - two other thought processes missing from the vast majority of the younger generation.
Take care!
January 31, 2012 at 10:25 am
Marian
Alas, so true they aren’t really funny. Technology is great in the things it does for people in general--better transportation, better working environments, better medical care, etc. But the effect on an individual weighs heavily (no pun intended) on that individual’s acceptance of the materialistic mentality--I’m going to buy one of those (insert technology name), and belong to the group of haves, not the have-nots.
Sad.
In the future, when the embargo of Asian-made batteries kicks in, perhaps people will regain the ability to see, hear, and communicate with each other in truly meaningful ways....
February 01, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Jean
Great cartoons! In the 80’s and 90’s I thought the most wonderful thing to help a business person was the computer software to compute wages and the fax machine to send/receive orders. Real time savers. Now look at me, I’m Linked In and Facebooked. No Twitter yet. No Smart Phone but soon. I have to get these to talk to my grandkids!
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