Janet CollinsWhat a wonderful world...
December 3rd 2006 05:01
Some good, wholesome fun !
Yes, we are lucky to have such a diverse, rich culture - and yet it isn't making anyone happier. After watching The Breakfast Club, I realised that parents are becoming more tolerant and students are becoming more confident, outgoing, vibrant. But then I'll hear, from the depths of cyberspace: "Define lucky". And that's where it begins...
I grew up with modern technology - that is to say, modern technology was born around the same time I was. Now, as today's digital environment is becoming so deeply ingrained in society we are becoming selfish, prudent, complacent and worse still - expectant. I grew up walking and jogging with Discmans, trying to ignore the whirr, buzz and skipping as my CDs were stopped, replayed and scratched jumping in my jacket pocket. Yes, the key accessory for my CD player was the jacket, in a vain attempt to make my life aas 'handsfree' as possible. And not a decade later, our youth are carrying "Ipods" in their pockets and ears. Suddenly, children are garnished with these very adult, and rather distasteful, concepts of luxury and wealth.
Are they harmed by this phenonemon? Is our future? The answer is a resounding 'yes'. Children are blessed with the kind of depth and brilliance of imagination that can only be hurt by the distraction of technology. They need to be challenged, not spoiled, and yet the exact opposite is now a trend, moving with the momentum of a German, brakeless Connex train. Our future may fast becoming a dystopia.
How long can it last, and how dangerous is it - really?
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
A thoughtful post, especially from one so young. I'd take a mid view, as far as I am concerned the world went backwards with the mobile phone and dependency.
I love modern technology but feel it needs to be put in its place.
I notice also your faultless language, free from the encumbrances of foul language.
Congratulations. I just love the picture, brilliantly chosen.
katyzzz
Comment by K.L. Almeroth
Motherhood
To AnthonyB,
Yes, I'm from a generation when having a walkman was the latest thing in technology! At least at home.
And getting a computer at 21 was a huge thing...not everyone had a computer!
Now my 2 year old has my laptop (yes, my laptop, not hers, the little cute monster) to play on! And a dvd player...
(That's about all I can boast, I'm afraid)
Each generation is different, and I do worry what affect this will have on my kids.
At the same time, I do love technology!
K.L.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Such a great post. I read somewhere that all this technology that today's under 5's have access to is in fact having an affect on their attention span and perhaps that is leading to an increased diagnosis in ADD and ADHD.
I think "instant gratification" is a dangerous trait to become accustomed to.
Mrs M.
Comment by pegasus
Poker Addict
As I was looking for Futurama screensavers, as you requested, I found out more about Futurama.
Check it out here
You're doing great with your blog!
Peg
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Great post!
Like Mrs M, that expecting instant gratification can be a dangerous thing!
I also find that younger people (I'm trying to think of a way to say it without sounding like I'm 62 instead of 32!) don't seem to have ever learned technology etiquette. My sister went back to university and in the middle of a class, as the teacher asked one of the students a question, he asked her to hold on and answered a phone call on his mobile phone! Now, if that was me, i would have kicked his ass out of the class. But the teacher didn't. I've even seen people in their 20's answer a phone call during a job interview. Way to ensure you don't get the job!
I found it highly ironic that the Harry Potter books were so lauded for bringing reading back to kids.....and then they released a video game of the books. Exactly the thing that people were so excited that kids had forgone in order to read.
Technology is a wonderful thing, but I think we need to be careful about the way we introduce technology to our kids. I really don't want a generation of bratty kids who can no longer entertain themselves without their iPod, video games or computers and who expect that they'll receive everything they want when they want it.
KylieW
Comment by AnthonyB
Yes, Almeroth, I know what you mean. I conducted an interview for a feature piece I was writing for my degree and one woman I spoke to had a $4000 computer with 2MB memory at age 21. Apparently that was the latest. It's amazing, but I wouldn't give it up for the world. I just think it needs to be used wisely.
Comment by AnthonyB
I hadn't heared that, but It's very interesting. I'll have to look that one up. I was just speculating, but it doesn't surprise me. I loved your instant gratification comment. It's very true.
Kylie, I know what you mean! I had a friend once with a Sega, a Nintendo and all the Little Miss __ books he could ever want. He got it all, and that was before the world was so advanced. I didn't notice the Harry Potter thing though. Probably because I was reading them at the time. heh.
Thanks everyone, for all your comments !!!