[Misc] Modern life

[Greg Bobkin]

Yes, because they too are a consumption of time better replaced by being down the pub with mates talking tete a tete in the old days with an Evening Argus and John Vinnicombes inside scoop

So put the device down and GO TO THE FACKING PUB THEN!

Don't blame that scenario on modern life or 'Big Tech'. Having your face stuck on/in a screen is on you!

 

[METALMICKY]

Yes, because they too are a consumption of time better replaced by being down the pub with mates talking tete a tete in the old days with an Evening Argus and John Vinnicombes inside scoop

You're still missing the irony bit aren't you that many have pointed out.

 

[portlock seagull]

So put the device down and GO TO THE FACKING PUB THEN!

Don't blame that scenario on modern life or 'Big Tech'. Having your face stuck on/in a screen is on you!

No one to go to the pub with…because they’re all stuck on social media (debating football and/or watching/streaming endless games of football you once had to go to in the flesh or they didn’t exist…)

 

[Greg Bobkin]

No one to go to the pub with…because they’re all stuck on social media (debating football and/or watching/streaming endless games of football you once had to go to in the flesh or they didn’t exist…)

Again, that's THEIR problem. They have the choice to go to the pub, but they don't

 

[Weststander]

I think we just live in a really over populated crap expensive country which is rush rush rush.
The normal person is existing not living in the UK.
I’m amazed why people risk their lives to get to this shithole just to exist on benefits in some cockroach infested crap flat with mould on the walls.
Each to their own I suppose. The People in the med actually seem to mostly enjoy themselves and are way more relaxed that’s where I would be heading.

The reality for people in Spain, Greece, Italy might be very different. They too have to work full time in the same master-servant working life scenario to live, the vast majority won’t live anywhere near an attractive beach, narcotics issues, poverty, people obsessed with social media, influencers and not talking to friends/family whilst looking at them, a left v right political chasm, political corruption is rife including at the local level.

The difference is it’s sunny.

You’re based in London which like Brighton is a work to live location. The direct result of just one thing … 27 years of exponential house price rises. It’s a capital city thing. This has been explained to us too by upset locals to Paris, NYC, Prague and Rome. Priced out by investors.

There’s a big difference from holidaying/retiring in a place you love to visit, to chiselling out a living there.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

I find it stunning the amount of people who walk around glued to their phones, mum's pushing prams or parents walking with their kids, people out in nature head-down in their phones. Stand on any UK train station platform waiting for train and 99% of commuters are stood or sat head down in their phones. If you'd shown that vision to someone decades back they'd think it was some sci fi dystopian fiction. Really absurd and quite depressing.

If the technology we have now was available to people who are now in their 70s and 80s when they were in their 20s and 30s, they would be all over it.

That's what makes me laugh and some people in that generation. Moaning about how life was so much better when they were younger - on the Internet, in their house that is equipped with a fridge, freezer, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, TV. Hell, maybe even a coffee maker, an Alexa and a chuffing robotic vacuum cleaner. And when you go and see them, they answer the door with their Ring doorbell.

But yeah, the 'good old days' were the best

 

[hans kraay fan club]

So put the device down and GO TO THE FACKING PUB THEN!

Don't blame that scenario on modern life or 'Big Tech'. Having your face stuck on/in a screen is on you!

Indeed.

I‘ve missed out on this thread this evening, as I got home from work, ate dinner with my wife and one son, then went and played five a side football, and on to the pub, with my older son, and 5 of our mates.

Don't treat social media as a thing to do. Just use it to fill the gaps between your ‘things’.

 

[Zeberdi]

I love technnologiy - it’s clean and more environmentally friendly than eg destroying n acres of forest for paper - WFH means less people are commuting by car every day;

The NHS advanced diagnostic technology services has literally saved my life twice in past 18 months:

For me, online banking is a miracle of time management that means I no longer have to go to the bank to draw out cash to pay tradesmen;

My Apple Wallet on my watch means I can quickly scan my way into football matches, onto trains and pay instantly without having to fish around for my mobile phone or risk it being swiped from my hand.

Technology means even though I was born in the 60s, I am still learning new database systems and software applications at work which keeps me interested and mentally engaged.

Modern technology allowed me to stay in touch with all my family and friends remotely for hours on end when I was on my own in Covid lockdown.

 

[GT49er]

Only I didn't say that.

And, what I said earlier on in my post was 'Yes, it makes a huge difference to have an email address and possibly a smartphone...' which it clearly does. That one example is hardly being a slave to technology and the digital age, is it?

It does when 'the digital age' stars to cut off access to those without smartphones, yes. So, getting to be compulsory. And before long it will be - firms will close down their helplines and cancel their phone numbers; some already have.

I gave loads of alternatives if people want a predominantly analogue life. If it bothers people that much to use an app to park, find somewhere that has a machine.

Like another town, maybe? Yeh, that'll be convenient!

You want to bank in person? There are still options to do that - a place opened up in our high street earlier this year.

Fancy a bet? Try one of the many bookies all over the shop.

Yes, I can do that, and I do. They are some of the organisations that don't treat me like a pariah if I don't have a smartphone (although the banks are moving that way in some areas, I'll agree).

Want to know the latest news, but hate the thought of the Internet? Turn on the wireless (AM, FM or LW, obviously - none of that DAB nonsense for the non-techically-minded).

LW? Blimey - you have become disconnected from the non-digital world!

Want live sport? Does a TV count as 'digital'? Need a recipe? Try a cookbook. Want to listen to music? Plenty of CDs, records or tapes around (and the antiquated machines to play them on).

TV's a TV. Yes, I've got one, but unlike some venues, some events, and parking in many towns and cities, I can do that without being compelled to buy a smartphone.

As I DID say, in most situations it's almost completely up to the individual. Sure, it might be a bit more of a ballache, but if it bothers people that much, they'll surely be willing to go the extra mile and do what they did in what they would no doubt call 'the good old days'

In some situations it still is up to the individual - but those situations are being eroded day by day. And the options to 'do what they did in the good old days' are fast disappearing as access is shut off.

 

[GT49er]

You might think it has, but it's probably wait than you'd think to live a mostly analogue life. If you hate it *that* much...

In English?

 

[portlock seagull]

You're still missing the irony bit aren't you that many have pointed out.

Not at all. I so obviously invited as to merely play along with dear boy. Anyway, back on topic: Modern Life is rubbish and it’s all because of Big Tech. And Romans.

 

[portlock seagull]

If the technology we have now was available to people who are now in their 70s and 80s when they were in their 20s and 30s, they would be all over it.

That's what makes me laugh and some people in that generation. Moaning about how life was so much better when they were younger - on the Internet, in their house that is equipped with a fridge, freezer, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, TV. Hell, maybe even a coffee maker, an Alexa and a chuffing robotic vacuum cleaner. And when you go and see them, they answer the door with their Ring doorbell.

But yeah, the 'good old days' were the best

Granted am running out of people I know in their 70s and 80s as most now dead. But don’t know any / knew any with robotic vacuum cleaners, Ring doorbells or Alexa. Those with fridge freezers, TVs, dishwashers and microwaves had them in the good old days because these existed most of their lives. All complained about the Internet and Big Tech mind, and how it made their lives infinitely harder. “Have you tried switching it off and on again?!”

 

[Han Solo]

As I DID say, in most situations it's almost completely up to the individual. Sure, it might be a bit more of a ballache, but if it bothers people that much, they'll surely be willing to go the extra mile and do what they did in what they would no doubt call 'the good old days'

ONLY in the neoliberal school of thought is individual consumption responsibility the solution to the problems of the world.

"ees not the problem of our society that people die in lung cancer, no need to stop advertising cigarettes to kids, teens and adults, all could be solved if they just ignore all the messages carefully designed to make them smoke".

When surprisingly it didn't happen, there were massive campaigns and regulations against the tobacco business, which oddly worked better than each individual on the planet taking personal responsibility for their own consumption.

I guess thats how we're going to sort out the climate crisis as well?

"Daddy, I hate this world where we're destroying the planet".

"Lol what are you talking about there's a forest just around the corner. And if you hate the world being destroyed why don't you just grow carrots in the backyard and eat them."

"Oh thank you! Will that save the world?"

"Yes, as long as eight billion individuals all simultaneously decide to grow their own food rather than ship stuff around the world, the world will be fine."

Smartphone use is similar in level of addiction to using heroin, because the tech companies (which according to the neoliberal school of thought do not need to be regulated since everyone could just take their individual responsibility and ignore them) have designed their services that way. To make people addicted.

I guess if 95.3% of the British population were on ACTUAL heroin - often introduced to them by their parents at the age of 3 or 4 - the solution would be... "just stop doing heroin, its your choice bro"?

Anyway, I admire your way of thinking - it makes life much easier to just put individual responsibility as the solution to societal issues. Homelessness will be resolved not by building new houses but by homeless people buying one. No need to stop, dislike or inform about foreign powers influencing your elections, people just have to make the individual decision not to listen to the propaganda that has been designed and curated to go straight into their f***ing brains and stay there.

 

[BadFish]

It does when 'the digital age' stars to cut off access to those without smartphones, yes. So, getting to be compulsory. And before long it will be - firms will close down their helplines and cancel their phone numbers; some already have.

Like another town, maybe? Yeh, that'll be convenient!

Yes, I can do that, and I do. They are some of the organisations that don't treat me like a pariah if I don't have a smartphone (although the banks are moving that way in some areas, I'll agree).

LW? Blimey - you have become disconnected from the non-digital world!

TV's a TV. Yes, I've got one, but unlike some venues, some events, and parking in many towns and cities, I can do that without being compelled to buy a smartphone.

In some situations it still is up to the individual - but those situations are being eroded day by day. And the options to 'do what they did in the good old days' are fast disappearing as access is shut off.

This is exactly why no-one ever answers my carrier pigeon messages.

Bastards!!

 

[Greg Bobkin]

In English?

*easier* than you'd think.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

It does when 'the digital age' stars to cut off access to those without smartphones, yes. So, getting to be compulsory. And before long it will be - firms will close down their helplines and cancel their phone numbers; some already have.

Like another town, maybe? Yeh, that'll be convenient!

Yes, I can do that, and I do. They are some of the organisations that don't treat me like a pariah if I don't have a smartphone (although the banks are moving that way in some areas, I'll agree).

LW? Blimey - you have become disconnected from the non-digital world!

TV's a TV. Yes, I've got one, but unlike some venues, some events, and parking in many towns and cities, I can do that without being compelled to buy a smartphone.

In some situations it still is up to the individual - but those situations are being eroded day by day. And the options to 'do what they did in the good old days' are fast disappearing as access is shut off.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Granted am running out of people I know in their 70s and 80s as most now dead. But don’t know any / knew any with robotic vacuum cleaners, Ring doorbells or Alexa. Those with fridge freezers, TVs, dishwashers and microwaves had them in the good old days because these existed most of their lives. All complained about the Internet and Big Tech mind, and how it made their lives infinitely harder. “Have you tried switching it off and on again?!”

Probably should've gone with people in their 90s then. And not embellished the post for effect - maybe that's the fault of big tech too...

 

[Zeberdi]

ONLY in the neoliberal school of thought is individual consumption responsibility the solution to the problems of the world.

"ees not the problem of our society that people die in lung cancer, no need to stop advertising cigarettes to kids, teens and adults, all could be solved if they just ignore all the messages carefully designed to make them smoke".

When surprisingly it didn't happen, there were massive campaigns and regulations against the tobacco business, which oddly worked better than each individual on the planet taking personal responsibility for their own consumption.

I guess thats how we're going to sort out the climate crisis as well?

"Daddy, I hate this world where we're destroying the planet".

"Lol what are you talking about there's a forest just around the corner. And if you hate the world being destroyed why don't you just grow carrots in the backyard and eat them."

"Oh thank you! Will that save the world?"

"Yes, as long as eight billion individuals all simultaneously decide to grow their own food rather than ship stuff around the world, the world will be fine."

Smartphone use is similar in level of addiction to using heroin, because the tech companies (which according to the neoliberal school of thought do not need to be regulated since everyone could just take their individual responsibility and ignore them) have designed their services that way. To make people addicted.

I guess if 95.3% of the British population were on ACTUAL heroin - often introduced to them by their parents at the age of 3 or 4 - the solution would be... "just stop doing heroin, its your choice bro"?

Anyway, I admire your way of thinking - it makes life much easier to just put individual responsibility as the solution to societal issues. Homelessness will be resolved not by building new houses but by homeless people buying one. No need to stop, dislike or inform about foreign powers influencing your elections, people just have to make the individual decision not to listen to the propaganda that has been designed and curated to go straight into their f***ing brains and stay there.

If Nietzsche wrote a depressing treatise on the Death of God, that surely is an equally depressing statement on the Death of Choice.

I chose at a young age not to have a car to cut down on the damage to environment; I chose not buy products from certain Countries on political grounds. I have chosen the past 25 years not to have a TV because it dominated my living space and conversations with visitors. I choose not to have social media accounts (except NSC) and I chose to virtually cut out excessive drinking and drugs over 25 years ago because it was getting out of control. I have chosen for my entire adult life to work for environmental organisations and NGOs both in my professional and volunteer life earning low incomes rather than the high salaries I could have earned in the legal profession or corporate business.

These were personal and ethical choices and while they are not ‘whole world’ changing , they changed the tiny bit of the world I play a part in. That is how change comes, when enough people do that. I’m not suggesting others make the same choices or even that others have the same levels of freedom as I did to make such choices, just to recognise the precious choices they do have and act on them. In a capitalist and consumer driven market, we have far more choice that the above statement by HS suggests.

Of course nurture and basic needs influence, sometimes even dictate, some of the choices we make but the majority of humans are free thinking beings, still capable of individual thought and to a certain extend, certainly in the West, have free consumer choices and are actors of our own lives. To believe otherwise is a convenient and frankly a dangerous abrogation of responsibility to ourselves and others.

IMHO of course.

Edit - just to add that from a young age, right through to my late 20s, I really wanted to make music and paint - live the live of an artist but, without relying on State benefits, it was something I couldn’t afford to do, so my choices haven’t come without some sacrifice- I just channelled that creative energy into trying to make the world a little bit better in other ways and making music and ‘did’ art in my spare time.

 

[zefarelly]

Unfortunately the need to put food on the table yadda yadda means that for the majority following your heart isn't always an option.

It wasnt much of one for me either. . . . . I worked 24/7 doing anything to keep the roof over my head . . . . then the record company went tits up and the band cracked . . . . I had other offers but none of them were that good and I looked at the majority of peoples lifestyles and went back to work. Just under 3 years binned. I've been in bands as good since but those were fun times

 

[portlock seagull]

Probably should've gone with people in their 90s then. And not embellished the post for effect - maybe that's the fault of big tech too...

Que?