View Full Version : "Look Up"
I agree 100% with this - I love technology and its my day job, but it works for me not controls me and I don't have a smart-phone either ;)
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Things I have recently observed with disappointment.
3 of the people I work with all sat together in the meal room - each one glued to their iPhones
A tube train in London where 80~90% of its occupants were glued to smart-phones. Even couples sat together were ignoring each other, whilst glued to their screens
5 kids walking through town the other day, all in a line all looking down at their phones (maybe they were tweeting or texting each other?)
A co-worker taking a piss whilst holding his iPhone in his free hand and reading something - WTF!
The same co-worker had to go home recently during his working day to get a spare iPhone when an app upgrade caused his main phone to malfunction - and yes, he does have a landline on his desk
The look of sheer disbelieve on this same persons face when I told them I often go out for a walk and leave my phone at home
A friend taking out their iPhone and leaving it in view on the dining table during dinner
Another friend constantly checking their Blackberry whilst we were chatting at a bar having a beer together
Slaves to technology . . . and we are losing the ability to think or discover for ourselves too, we want someone else or some gizmo/app to do it for us. Just read a thread where someone wanted an answer to a question that was in the same thread a few posts back and repeated a few times near the beginning. Dim or just plain lazy? . . . who knows :scratch:
Lol - you know my feelings on this, dude... The world's gone bloody mad!! :mental:
The dehumanised, socially inept, 'zombies' you mention do my fooking head in.....
Marco.
Firebottle
05-05-2014, 06:15
+1
I don't even have a mobile phone that works in the UK and I'm happy to be different.
The looks I get when I answer no to 'you don't have a mobile?' are priceless.
Smartphones are fabulous technology but they are also an obsession, one I can live without :)
Alan
Yes amazing how the phone has taken control
Awhile back I was chatting to someone on a train she said I was the only other person not using their phone I looked around and everyone else had a mobile phone in their hands
It's sheep mentality at its worst, John.
Marco.
Are You Addicted to Your Cell Phone? (http://www.addictiontreatmentmagazine.com/trends/addicted-cell-phone/)
I answered 'No' to every one of the questions in the above link, so I reckon I'm not an addict :D
However, I thought of this fact the other day whilst having a conversation about peoples attitude addiction to smart-phones, when a colleague got pissy with someone who spoke negatively about them. They were making the point that life does revolve around them and thinks that's a good thing . . . There are over 7 billion people on the planet, 5 billion of whom don't even have their own toilet, let alone a smart-phone, so they have not taken over yet ;)
Gordon Steadman
05-05-2014, 08:07
I didn't bother as I don't have a smart phone or any mobile come to that. We have our own toilet though.
The expression 'first world problems' comes to mind. So many seem totally oblivious to just how lucky they are.
So many seem totally oblivious to just how lucky they are.
Absolutely Gordon (I need to go and lie down now as I have agreed with just about everything you have posted recently :lol:)
I started working in the cellphone industry when it was still all-analogue. Calls were a quid a minute peak and 50p off peak, no free minutes and texting did not exist. The only people who owned them were businessmen, drug dealers and rich kids wanting to look flash. On top of that the analogue system was simple to break into so you would be looking at a couple of months at best before your phone was cloned. Less if you lived in London. One of the largest departments in the firm I worked for was devoted entirely to sorting out cloning issues. Nevertheless, having used walkie-talkies in the past I always thought that the idea of a mobile communication device was a brilliant idea. As soon as the network went digital in 1996 I got one. Lots of people said to me 'what do you need it for?', including a lot of my co-workers. When I expressed the opinion that within a couple of years they would be as ubiquitous as the wristwatch I was laughed at. Of course in les time than that they all had one and some had actually become obsessive about them. There is no doubt that they are one of the most useful inventions of the last century.
I did manage to answer no to all of the questions on the 'test' but the I do have the advantage that I hate talking on the phone and I am far too lazy to be writing texts. I do have a smartphone which I got so I could look at the internet when I am on the train and it is dark. if it's daytime I prefer to look out of the window - hey look that's reality going on out there!
If I went for a drink with a mate and he was checking his stupid phone all the time he would get some grief about it; that is pretty ignorant behaviour. Unless he had some big business deal going on or trouble at work, I suppose I would make an exception in that case.
As for people using them on trains and buses well that is up to them, I can't see how it bothers anyone else. No different from reading the newspaper or a book and folk have been doing that on the train since Victoria was on the throne. Sometimes you can have an interesting conversation with folk on the train but that is pretty rare and you can end up with some right bores telling you how great they are for an hour and a half, that's not fun. As for the London Tube that is such a de-humanising experience nowadays it is hardly surprising that people need a distraction. It's not like there is anything else to look at in a tunnel. And I'd much rather have someone looking at their phone than listen to their 'tss tss tss' from their crappy earbuds. 'Enjoy your tinnitus, suckers! You won't!'
Gordon Steadman
05-05-2014, 08:39
Absolutely Gordon (I need to go and lie down now as I have agreed with just about everything you have posted recently :lol:)
:eek:
Haselsh1
05-05-2014, 09:13
I still use an old Motorola Razr and I do not text. If I choose to listen to music then I use the hi-fi. If I am on a train then like the gent said, I look out of the window after all, Britain is a stunning place.
The Barbarian
05-05-2014, 10:04
Lol - you know my feelings on this, dude... The world's gone bloody mad!! :mental:
The dehumanised, socially inept, 'zombies' you mention do my fooking head in.....
Marco.
+1
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/andre_zpsd3876c83.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/andre_zpsd3876c83.jpg.html)
That's better André, makes me feel so much more comfortable ;)
The Barbarian
05-05-2014, 10:57
:kiss: :carrot:
Gordon Steadman
05-05-2014, 11:46
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/andre_zpsd3876c83.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/andre_zpsd3876c83.jpg.html)
That's better André, makes me feel so much more comfortable ;)
I just assumed the 'H' was silent:eyebrows:
Presumably the irony of posting a video about how people are obsessed with technology on a forum devoted to, er, technology is not lost on everyone?
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/andre_zpsd3876c83.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/andre_zpsd3876c83.jpg.html)
That's better André, makes me feel so much more comfortable ;)
+1 from me as well.
Presumably the irony of posting a video about how people are obsessed with technology on a forum devoted to, er, technology is not lost on everyone?
I think the purpose of the video is not to dismiss the technology, but to show the obsession with it and the concomitant social implications.
I think the purpose of the video is not to dismiss the technology, but to show the obsession with it and the concomitant social implications.
What, like staying up till stupid o'clock arguing about cables?
What, like staying up till stupid o'clock arguing about cables?
Not me.
I just assumed the 'H' was silent:eyebrows:
haha! It's a Yorkshire accent, probably just " 'elp" .
My reply to the OP is this:
http://ha-ha-pics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/back-in-times-people-reading-newspapers-in-train.jpg
LOOK UP !!!
I think the purpose of the video is not to dismiss the technology, but to show the obsession with it and the concomitant social implications.
Exactly Barry ;)
Mobiles are a conduit to social media, that's what it's all about (and the video too). So people are being fed all this "local news" about their social groups and rolling 24 hr news IS addictive.
Personally I do love the sounds and sights of my surroundings and find looking at my phone relatively tiresome and ongoing strings of texting also a bit tiresome, besides which makes me feel a little travel sick.
However, when I'm at home alone it takes a good amount of self-control to get off the internet and get things done..
... and on that bombshell, I'm off.
Mobiles are a conduit to social media, that's what it's all about (and the video too). So people are being fed all this "local news" about their social groups and rolling 24 hr news IS addictive.
Personally I do love the sounds and sights of my surroundings and find looking at my phone relatively tiresome and ongoing strings of texting also a bit tiresome, besides which makes me feel a little travel sick.
However, when I'm at home alone it takes a good amount of self-control to get off the internet and get things done..
... and on that bombshell, I'm off.
What he said, though I don't use mobile technology at all. It was good going up North over the weekend, as I didn't look at a computer screen for several days and instead spoke to people I hadn't met for years. Against that, my brother-in-law has the TV on the whole time, so I also saw a lot of crap programmes and adverts.
My reply to the OP is this:
http://ha-ha-pics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/back-in-times-people-reading-newspapers-in-train.jpg
LOOK UP !!!
Well, I've never sat like that on public transport reading newspapers either...! On the very rare occasions when I use it (which I haven't done now for about 15 years), I'm perfectly happy to just enjoy my surroundings, or perhaps engage in conversation with one of my fellow passengers.
I'm not a member of any social media sites, so have no need to be constantly updated on a mobile phone about such banal nonsense...!! :nono:
The point is that, whilst travelling, normal well-adjusted people shouldn't feel the need to be continually 'entertained' by forms of technological gadgetry: they make their own 'entertainment' and behave like proper human beings.
Marco.
The point is that, whilst travelling, normal well-adjusted people shouldn't feel the need to be continually 'entertained' by forms of technological gadgetry: they make their own 'entertainment' and behave like proper human beings.
But surely you've said in another thread (Pet Hates) that you're not 'normal'?
Personally if on a train I read a book, or at least have one ready in case of accidental eye-contact with a fellow traveller. I once made the mistake of not having a book in front of me, and a woman talked to me non-stop all the way from Euston to Lime Street. Which might have been OK, except she was talking about the Chutch of England, an organisation about which I know little and care less.
But surely you've said in another thread (Pet Hates) that you're not 'normal'?
Yes, you've got a point! :D
Marco.
What is a forum if not social media? Oh the irony... :lol:
Lol - I don't see it as that, though.
'Social media' for me is pish like Twitter (aply named for twits) and Facebook, where braindead idiots post about what they're having for their dinner, a new pair of shoes they've bought or what 'celebs' are up to, and other such banality.
I wouldn't dream of using AoS to indulge in that nonsense. Furthermore, it's the only Internet site where I actively participate in any discussions - I simply don't have time to do it anywhere else!
Oh, and if I were ever to find myself on a bus or train, mingling with the great unwashed, I could wait until I got home, where my laptop lives, to find out 'the latest' that was happening on AoS - I don't need to access it on a fooking mobile phone... ;)
Marco.
I wouldn't dream of using AoS to indulge in such nonsense. Furthermore, it's the only Internet site where I actively participate in any discussions - I simply don't have time to do it anywhere else!
That's coz you're banned from everywhere else!
What is a forum if not social media?
Anti-social media?
That's coz you're banned from everywhere else!
Not true - and anyway, that's only if you're talking about hi-fi forums. I drive a Mercedes car, but I'm not a member of any Mercedes forums; similarly I'm a football supporter, yet I don't participate on any football forums. I could give numerous other similar examples of such.
In short, outside of AoS, I have a life - and it doesn't revolve around bloody computers, mobile phones or the Internet! ;)
Marco.
Note to self: remember to add smilies to tongue-in-cheek posts.
Lol - 95% of your posts, Joe, are imbued with a sense irony/piss-taking, so rest assured that's how I read them. Therefore, the last one was no exception! :D
Marco.
Interesting, I have never viewed internet forums as 'Social Media' and can't see any irony either :scratch:
I agree 100% with this - I love technology and its my day job, but it works for me not controls me and I don't have a smart-phone either ;)
I can sympathise with the sentiment somewhat.
Although I'm no luddite/technophobe, I do not myself have a mobile phone - the idea of it has never appealed - and I find it strange when I see tube carriages filled with people all fiddling with their phones. On the other hand, when you consider the range of distinct things that it's now possible to do with a single smartphone, it's unsurprising that they have a firm grip on peoples' attention: A single phone can handle communications (obviously, and in various forms), diary functions, entertainment (movies, music, games), news and other content delivery, navigation services, serve as a camera, plus a lot more. It wasn't so long ago that each one of these functions was handled by a discrete device/thing, and it's not obvious to me that the increased amount of time that people are now spending on their phones is not at least somewhat proportional to the increased range of functions that the latter can perform. That said, some people very clearly have a problem switching off.
But it's not like we need up-to-date technology to alienate ourselves - I manage just fine with my old Walkman ;)
In short, outside of AoS, I have a life - and it doesn't revolve around bloody computers, mobile phones or the Internet! ;)
Marco.
Haha! Because none of us could really be said to have a life within AOS, lets admit it! We're all sad geeks within these forum pages..
Interesting, I have never viewed internet forums as 'Social Media' and can't see any irony either :scratch:
On Twitter, people tweet what they've been doing that day - like re-aligning their cartridge or listening to cables for example - and invite comments in reply.
On Facebook, people give links to music they like, gear they've bought and are interested in, which gigs they're going to next, what hifi events they're going to - and invite comments or approvals via likes (the equivalent of posting up "+1" or a thumbs up).
Both Twitter and Facebook alert you to what people you're interested in have posted up or said recently via some kind of message like an email, rss or via an app.
I'm with you... I don't see how forums can be considered social media! :D
The irony would just be Marco running probably what could be considered an original, older form of social media, after bulletin boards and yet says he doesn't engage in any social media himself. Of course it's just a matter of word association - "social media" means to some a specific form and something that only a certain type of person uses, but essentially it's a wide term in reality.
I'm with you... I don't see how forums can be considered social media!
Good, I'm glad we agree then :lol:
Forums can be deemed social,media when they are used to organise events, such as "bake offs" and to coordinate HiFi shows to let people know where you will be.
Haha! Because none of us could really be said to have a life within AOS, lets admit it! We're all sad geeks within these forum pages..
Lol... What I meant was that when I'm not posting on AoS, and outside in the real world, I have no desire to access the Internet or use any forms of technological gagetry, in order to occupy my mind, as I'm too busy doing other things! :)
The only time when I use a computer (and let's face it, mobile phones these days are essentially portable computers) is when I'm at home - and when I'm at home, the only form of on-line 'social media' I use is posting on here!
Marco.
On Twitter, people tweet what they've been doing that day - like re-aligning their cartridge or listening to cables for example - and invite comments in reply.
I don't see that as the same thing at all.
When I post on here about cartridges or cables, etc, I'm doing it to share specific information with fellow audio enthusiasts, many of whom I have met in person and socialised with in the real world. It would be the same for anyone else, with a different hobby (say, sport, cars, stamp collecting or whatever) sharing information with other like-minded enthusiasts, on a forum that caters for those specific interests. That's entirely normal.
'Tweeting' what you've been doing that day, such a what you've had to eat or what you're wearing (and goodness knows what other mindless banality) to complete strangers, who may have entirely different interests, for the sake of f*ck knows what, is quite simply, moronic in the extreme, and IMO, not in any way normal, unless you're a kid.
Marco.
The Grand Wazoo
08-05-2014, 06:57
Now I thoroughly agree with Tim and Marco on the OP - I use my mobile phone solely as a telephone, and then perhaps 3 times a month (yes, really!). Like them, I despair of the twattery of a bunch of people sitting round a table in a social situation, but interacting not with the person they are face to face with, but some other person with another device in another place.
However, I don't see how a forum can be described as anything other than a form of social media. I will never concern myself with Facebook, Tweeting or any other such activity, but as with all things context is everything isn't it?
As is often said on AoS, the implementation is everything. There are web fora, I'm sure, where people concern themselves with the very things you despair about with tweeting, but by the same token, Marco, I'm certain many people will be tweeting things that would interest you.
To be honest, I find the categorisation of people who use social media as 'not normal' a bit weird. If the majority of people behave in a certain way, that's 'normal' by definition.
There are web fora, I'm sure, where people concern themselves with the very things you despair about with tweeting, but by the same token, Marco, I'm certain many people will be tweeting things that would interest you.
Who knows, Chris, as I won't see it, because I have absolutely no intention of joining Twitter, Facebook, or any other similar bollocks - or even looking at those sites!
In terms of social media, I understand and accept where you're coming from. In actuality, AoS acts as a form of social media, but when I interact with others on here, it's because we share a common (specialist interest) in high-end audio and music, not to talk about the colour of my shoes or how eventful my bus trip was on the way home... :doh:
It's that mentality I don't understand: the desire to indulge in 'twattery' (I like your description) with complete strangers whom I may not even have anything in common with.
You know how much I hate communicating with others 'virtually', when the discussion doesn't involve hi-fi or music, and how I much prefer instead talking to people on the phone or face-to-face, so can you imagine me sat using Twitter?!!!!
I'd rather stick pins in my eyes....
Furthermore, I don't need to make 'virtual friends', while sat in my house on a computer (I find that deeply sad) - I've got plenty of proper ones in the real world!
:exactly:
Marco.
To be honest, I find the categorisation of people who use social media as 'not normal' a bit weird. If the majority of people behave in a certain way, that's 'normal' by definition.
Sure, but that doesn't change one's own subjective definition of 'normal'.
Marco.
Sure, but that doesn't change one's own subjective definition of 'normal'.
Marco.
Indeed. I'm guessing that 90% of people would regard spending tens of thousands of pounds on hifi, and arguing violently about whether cable A is better than cable B, as exemplifying 'not normal' behaviour!
Maybe 'not natural' would be a better description than 'not normal' re social media, though the young people I know who use social media a lot tend to see Facebook as a replacement for phone calls and email, ie as a means of arranging face-to-face meetings, rather than as a replacement for such meetings.
Indeed. I'm guessing that 90% of people would regard spending tens of thousands of pounds on hifi, and arguing violently about whether cable A is better than cable B, as exemplifying 'not normal' behaviour!
Yes, but the point, which unfortunately is being missed, is that you're conducting that activity amongst others who share a similar passion, and also in many cases (when it comes to AoS), with people you know well and have met in real life.
Posting 'twattery' on Twitter, to a possibly unappreciative audience of complete strangers, IMO, is an entirely different matter.
Marco.
P.S I take your point about 'not natural', and agree.
Posting 'twattery' on Twitter, to a possibly unappreciative audience of complete strangers, IMO, is an entirely different matter.
<cough> three words daily <cough>
Yes, but that's to an appreciative audience of (similarly) mentally deranged daftees!! :D
Marco.
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