[jordyn]

where is it going?

at this point in time, with the punch of a few buttons on a cell phone, you can do more than just call your neighbor...i can send pictures over seas, download games, have bollywood music my jingle and assign pictures and ringers to individual people...if i chose to pay more, i could be doing what i'm doing right now, anywhere, in the palm of my hand...just posting and sending pictures...while talking on the phone...with a headpiece, hands free to drive?!?!?!

some of it's still limited, site wise and phones aren't as easy to use as a computer...but what can be done now?

can you imagine it in five years?

[The_Seeker]

Just a moment, I need to ask my computer what my opinion is.  The problem is that we're becoming far too reliant on machines to do things such as simple math.  While shopping, the cashier told my dad that the computer wasn't working and so he couldn't figure out the tax so he would just charge 50 cents.  The actual tax amount was like 17.  It's a petty example but I think it demonstrates the point nicely.

[Phantom X]

This seems like the sinerio in the Pendragon Book called The Reality Bug, but its a good one. We will all rely on machines so much, we will develope something to give us the perfect life, the perfect experience and that will lead to our addiction and destruction.

Just a moment, I need to ask my computer what my opinion is.  The problem is that we're becoming far too reliant on machines to do things such as simple math.  While shopping, the cashier told my dad that the computer wasn't working and so he couldn't figure out the tax so he would just charge 50 cents.  The actual tax amount was like 17.  It's a petty example but I think it demonstrates the point nicely.

True but we may have lost alot but we've also gained many things I mean, we can now communicate with people around the world, share ideas, discover new places like for example, before I joined monstrous, I was feeling alone and isolated in my weirdness but now, I don't feel alone! Of course we use more our fingers than anything else, but it's worth it! But like jordyn I'll say what can be done now?

[Zak Roy Yoballa]

While I don't completely disagree with The_Seeker and Phantom X, there are some things we need to consider.

1.  If we would use your logic 200 years ago, we would all be using horses to get around instead of cars, trains, planes etc.  Certainly when industrialization first started the geniuses (I'm not being sarcastic) who came up with the technology weren't perfect and the first machines didn't work so well.  Look at the Wright Brothers, their first flight was shorter than the wing span of a B-52 BUT it was a necessary step.

2. As technology of computers and electronics improve, as they have in the past, reliability will follow.  Planes are flying all the time and rarely do we have a crash.

3.  While I agree that some tasks should always be a persons responsibility (like The_Seeker's math example!) Machines can do things better than we can.  Look at the medical advances that have occured that are only possible through technology.  How many lives have been saved and/or improved because of a CAT scan or MRI? 

4.  One last point:  technology is "neutral",  our use of it is either good or evil.  If some lazy PWT wants to selfishly use technology to steal someone's identity and wreck that person's life, the blame lies soley with the PWT, it has nothing to do with the phone or computer through which the abuse has occured.

*steps off of soap box*

I would like to add that it would be fun to have another huge black out that my current home residence was responsble for a couple of years ago.  I had more fun playing with my kids out side than I had in a long time!

ZRY

 

[The_Seeker]

Of course we have the right to use technology and of course it has provided many results that are nothing short of miracles.  However, there's a difference between using technology and absolutely depending on it for every little thing.

Take for example a few trinkets you may find in a "Seen on TV" stores or sometimes a Brookstone.  Like the robotic floor cleaner.  Push a button or two and it's off to work on your floors.  Or perhas the ab belt (which is rather shady).  Put it on and push a button and it's (supposedly) exercising for you.  It's items like these that are leading to a dangerously decadent future where people may forget the work and in so forget the value of the result.

I'm not preaching complete abstinence from technology, I'm just saying that there are some situations where you really shouldn't be using a machine.

You're right about that Seeker! One thing p****s me off, my cell phone is getting old and starting to malfunction and I want a new one. The problem is, I don't have much money! It's hard to get something under 200 $, why? Because with your phone you can download videos, games, music, you can take pictures, videos, you can go on the net, watch t.v, chat, flush the toilet, turn on and off your appliances (now I'm exagerating) how about a cell phone, just to make and receive calls? All these gadjets...I don't give a damn! I just want to be able to reach my loved ones when I'm on the go! That's it!

[The_Seeker]

That reminds me of the refrigerator that connects to the internet so you can order food and have it delivered for you and can also do other online functions.  With that refrigerator, a few of those straps that exercise for you, and the toilet that works with the iPod all in one room you could live a healthy life without ever leaving it.

[emptyvoid]

I would like to put my two cents worth in  on technolgy from a medical stand point.  Yes we have the technology.  Yes we can prolong life with machines.  Yes we are bound by our oath to preserve life.  My question is at what  cost?  Over population and decline of quality of life.  My co-workes have ridiculed me for my stance, but we are distorting the natural order of life and death.  History have proven time and time again that it will have negative consequences.  We are not a species that uses much forethought or introspection.  In using technology to prolong life, we are actually causing chaos in the order of life. 

I am not saying ban all technology,  just offer other life choices for the human condition know as death.

Empty Void

I would like to put my two cents worth in  on technolgy from a medical stand point.  Yes we have the technology.  Yes we can prolong life with machines.  Yes we are bound by our oath to preserve life.  My question is at what  cost?  Over population and decline of quality of life.  My co-workes have ridiculed me for my stance, but we are distorting the natural order of life and death.  History have proven time and time again that it will have negative consequences.  We are not a species that uses much forethought or introspection.  In using technology to prolong life, we are actually causing chaos in the order of life. 

I am not saying ban all technology,  just offer other life choices for the human condition know as death.

Empty Void

You have a good point there, I said the same thing to my relatives, glad you brought that up! But at the same time, I'm kinda glad that my life can be prolonged because of technology. As for the choice, we should have it like my grandma, she was very ill and yet they forced her to live! She wanted to die and we wanted her to die because we loved her and seeing her the way she was with all her suffering...the doctors were cruel keeping her alive! As for your "nice" co-workers, don't let them get to you.

Nextel you say Phantom? I'll check that out! Thanks!

[Zak Roy Yoballa]

Of course we have the right to use technology and of course it has provided many results that are nothing short of miracles.  However, there's a difference between using technology and absolutely depending on it for every little thing.

Take for example a few trinkets you may find in a "Seen on TV" stores or sometimes a Brookstone.  Like the robotic floor cleaner.  Push a button or two and it's off to work on your floors.  Or perhas the ab belt (which is rather shady).  Put it on and push a button and it's (supposedly) exercising for you.  It's items like these that are leading to a dangerously decadent future where people may forget the work and in so forget the value of the result.

I'm not preaching complete abstinence from technology, I'm just saying that there are some situations where you really shouldn't be using a machine.

Perhaps these are the first steps of becoming more cybernetic?  Maybe the next step is to augment our central nervous system to eliminate parkinsons disease by planting an electronic pulse controled by a microprocessor in our brain that detects when the tremors are starting.   I saw an external one on the Discovery channel.  After that its Borg time baby!  Don't get me wrong there are all kinds of personal privacy issues/Big Brother stuff with cybernetic implants, but I think it is coming none the less.   

I do agree with you that somethings we should simply do for our selves, thinking being the most important one.

The refrigerator/internet thing is a great idea however.  My 86 yr old neighbor would benefit greatly from this.  I think a lot of older folk who can't drive could use that kind of technology.

ZRY