OK, so here we go... launching insignificant opinions into the scary void that is the internet...
I was born in the 90's (shout out to all the 90's kids out ther- Oh shut up.) Technology in our house included one TV and a computer which had Windows 95 on it until we made the very sudden (and stressful) jump to 98. Our TV was such a size that we could fit about 5 medium house plants on top of it, plus an aeriel. Of course, we didn't have lovely plants on top of ours. We had unopened bills and old newspapers instead, but that's besides the point... Nowadays, you'd be lucky (or very skilled) to balance a taxi firm's business card on top of the flat -screens we've all acquired.
I also remember going to the park with my brother at the age of about 10 and instead of having a mobile to take with us, we were given one half of a 'walkie talkie' set (with new batteries, of course) to communicate to our parents about when we'd be home. None of this mobile nonsense!
Anyway, reader. I'm sure you're getting pretty bored of this whole 'back-in-our-day-things-were-so-simple-and-we-could-use-our-creativity-to-decorate-the-tops-of-our-TV's-with-various-plant-pots-consisting-of-home-grown-herbs' rambling. So I'll stop with that.
But in my view, technology is really narrowing our poor little minds. Let me run you through my day...
- I wake up and check my phone for any new texts/ Facebook messages I've received whilst I've been asleep
- As soon as I leave the house, I'll check my very clever little app which tells me when the next bus is due, and I'm instantly sucked into reading the news on another very clever little app I have. And then I go through my news feed on Facebook and any other thing that can keep me away from looking at the outside world and interacting with anyone on my bus.
- This will then occur on my way home...
Now, how unsociable does that sound?? I mean, if I'm staring at this tiny screen all day, I'm not looking at anything else around me. For all I know, my bus driver could be dressed as a clown and smoking a big fat cigar and I wouldn't notice! I just punch my Oyster on the machine (an electronic travel card for all you weirdos who don't live in London) and push past half asleep businessmen in order to get my usual seat towards the back, on the left.
I hate the hold it has on us. Only the other day, I was talking about this with my friend. I hate the fact that the whole 'social- networking' is basically a popularity contest. Everyone wants to have more 'liked' statuses then everyone else. Everyone wants to have the most photos at parties than even their best friend. Instead of expressing your true self, you put across another, totally different image of yourself, just because you think that's what people want to see.
The other day, my friend said something that was interesting (wait, I mean, she says other interesting things, but they aren't relevant to this post!) She said that people find it hard to hold a conversation now. They don't really take the time to get to know people. And that's quite true! When you meet someone, it's easy to just add them on Facebook and then stalk their profile, looking at their photos and where they studied (of course I don't do that Reader, how dare you!)
And my last and final complaint about technology.....
Are you ready for it?
Sure?
Ok, here goes...
THERE'S NO SPONTANEITY!
I used to write loads of letters as a kid, and one of the best things about writing letters is that you never know when you're going to get a response! I mean, if you send one around Christmas, then blimey, good luck to you! Only last month, did I receive my promised Christmas card from my Aunt. Now, if you don't get a reply almost instantly from your friend, you assume there's something wrong. I mean, if you don't even get a 'like' on your latest profile picture from your friend 10 minutes after uploading it, then I'd call the police missing department straight away, if I were you.
And is it just me, or do you find it harder to carry up a conversation with friends you don't see so much? Thanks to social networking, you've already seen that they went to the beach last weekend, went to Thorpe Park yesterday and has dated and dumped a dodgy looking guy they met at a club on their birthday.
So, in conclusion, just think about the extent to which you use your phone and internet in a day. Do you feel the constant need to check your emails/texts/tweets every 10 minutes? Would you notice if Prince Charles walked past you in drag whilst you're on Facebook, waiting for a bus? If not, then perhaps you need to put down your phone and tilt your head and take a good look around you. In fact, go crazy. Swivel on the spot and get the whole 360 degree's. That's better than any panoramic camera! Real life, with sound and smells! Who'd have thought it, eh?!
The other day, my friend said something that was interesting (wait, I mean, she says other interesting things, but they aren't relevant to this post!) She said that people find it hard to hold a conversation now. They don't really take the time to get to know people. And that's quite true! When you meet someone, it's easy to just add them on Facebook and then stalk their profile, looking at their photos and where they studied (of course I don't do that Reader, how dare you!)
And my last and final complaint about technology.....
Are you ready for it?
Sure?
Ok, here goes...
THERE'S NO SPONTANEITY!
I used to write loads of letters as a kid, and one of the best things about writing letters is that you never know when you're going to get a response! I mean, if you send one around Christmas, then blimey, good luck to you! Only last month, did I receive my promised Christmas card from my Aunt. Now, if you don't get a reply almost instantly from your friend, you assume there's something wrong. I mean, if you don't even get a 'like' on your latest profile picture from your friend 10 minutes after uploading it, then I'd call the police missing department straight away, if I were you.
And is it just me, or do you find it harder to carry up a conversation with friends you don't see so much? Thanks to social networking, you've already seen that they went to the beach last weekend, went to Thorpe Park yesterday and has dated and dumped a dodgy looking guy they met at a club on their birthday.
So, in conclusion, just think about the extent to which you use your phone and internet in a day. Do you feel the constant need to check your emails/texts/tweets every 10 minutes? Would you notice if Prince Charles walked past you in drag whilst you're on Facebook, waiting for a bus? If not, then perhaps you need to put down your phone and tilt your head and take a good look around you. In fact, go crazy. Swivel on the spot and get the whole 360 degree's. That's better than any panoramic camera! Real life, with sound and smells! Who'd have thought it, eh?!
