Technology. Ain't it great?
Can we even remember life before smartphones and the internet...?
Yeah, technology has provided us some awesome opportunities. Though, it also has its darkside.
Or maybe, it's not technology itself - but our relationship with it, wherein the darkness lies.
As much as we've embraced tech with open hearts, it sometimes seems we've become so drawn into the digital realm, our preoccupation with the worlds accessed through our screens undermines our participation in the real world in front of our eyes.
Of course, like any tool, it can be used or abused. And it's up to us to determine how we use it responsibly. Nonetheless, our ever-increasing reliance on technology is... well, you can fill in that blank for yourself.
This is a collection of cartoons that capture some of the more painful truths about how we've been evolving in our relationships with smartphones, in particular...
Any of these seem uncomfortably familiar?
I must confess they do for myself.
'Tis what it is, perhaps.
And if we don't like it, then perhaps it's solely up to us to choose to take a break every now and then, reconnect with our loved ones, nature, blah blah blah.
Or maybe, we'll just carry on ingesting as much as we can through our screens until we can plug ourselves in directly for full-immersion in simulated worlds.
Who knows.
(And for a closing recommendation: if you like this type of darker reflection on human relationships with technology and haven't yet, you may enjoy the Netflix series, Black Mirror).
I saw the light just in time. Not for very long I had a taste of that darkside. And when you start to walk in the light I guess its easier to see others bumping into walls. :)
Your post brings back memories of a period in life I thought my cellphone was an extension of my hand, part of my blood-cells, the portal to everything.
It's those moments when you look up and realize that almost everyone around you is staring at a screen that you begin to make steps towards the light.
This was gaining my attention as a full time photographer at the time, especially events where being the party animal was a necessity. You see these awesomely dressed, beautiful creatures acting like zombies....on the dancefloor.
I guess there just needs to be a healthy balance in our relationship with high tech...even if you need the beeping and bleeping portal to the universe to feed your family.
And yes... uncomfortable familiar these cartoons are indeed. All of them minus the heaven gig of course....lol
I say it's our relationship with smartphones because there are people who are present with people even though they have a cell phone.
"reconnect with our loved ones, nature, blah blah blah"
I hereby prescribe thee 1 weekly visit to Stanley Park to reconnect with nature and blah blah blah :)
Or, you can just watch some of my Stanley Park videos on your smartphone ;)
Great post @rok-sivante! Awareness is half the battle :)
Sounds like a reasonable prescription... :-)
wow nice
Hi @rok-sivante.
So best your post about tecnology.
It containt an important information.
It make me to remember when we not have smartphone ..
Thank you very much for your post.
From you friend @rijalaronaceh
Excellent visualization... not to mention that micro waves are health hazard... beware the 5G technology... there is so much on the net about it.
It seems to me that our interaction with technology is tricky at best. I, for one, run my business online which includes a lot of social media interaction. I ALWAYS have my phone on me and I use it probably more than the average person. If I didn't, I wouldn't be able to maintain the business that I have.
I know there is also a psychological impact too.....I have a hard time putting my phone down when I am able, afraid I'll miss something.
did you know that all your apps are spying on you...we're living in a cyber prison, the price for being hooked?
look on YT for: Over 1,000 Apps Are Spying On You...And Your Kids!
Oh yes, I am aware. I’m not sure what a plausible alternative is. Do I give my business that I love? Do tech companies grow a little decency? Heck, even my credit card has a chip now....supposedly to make it more secure, but is that all it’s for?
Yes, Black Mirror <3 Season 3 / Episode 1 is my favorite – its about the 5 stars voting thing. (What's your favorite episode?)
But I wouldn't say it is not reality what happens "inside our devices" – it's part of reality, too. I disconnect from time to time for a few days and interestingly, I don't miss my mobile or laptop at all. I think it depends if you are able to enrich your life with other things. It's easier to disconnect if there's no gap that those devices could possibly fill.
I love black mirror! Great info my fav was the cone.
I have resisted smart phones from the time BlackBerry came out with an internet browser. I didn't want my work emails to be accessible all of the time! Stupid thing became a leash and we've never turned back as a society.
It's not making us more productive, but less productive! The value from smart phones are the free apps, which are all trying to take control of as much of your attention as possible. What does that mean for your job? Less productivity!
great post
These are funny because they're so true! I especially like the one with all the smartphone users having canes. Perhaps I'll put my phone down tomorrow...!
There is room for individuals to reduce their exposure to these things - but the genie is out of the bottle as far as the species is concerned. And for the generations that are currently growing up, every waking moment, face glued to a screen - well, I'm loathe to make assumptions, but it's gonna be pretty interesting to see how they turn out.
Ugh! raises hand I'm guilty. I definitely need to limit my phone time more, especially in the presence of my kiddos. Thanks for the reminder and the dark hunour. -Aimee
It just makes me sad that all this life potential is lost.
Great post
Facts we ignore
How funny
😂😂
The old days are the best days of my life so far. Before smartphone came, all was just simple.
I haven’t seen any of those cartoons before but they all are so true. Thanks for sharing them and your thoughts about this topic which I completely agree with. Have a nice day :)
Wrong side of technology
Haha, there are some really great cartoons there, I love the guy with the dog flea collar :-)
But really the last pic says it all, about 2 years ago I was advised to stop email being pushed to my phone, and to get rid of all social media apps. I also got rid of all the games as well, now I still have Words With Friends, but that's it.
Without my phone constantly buzzing and beeping I simply forgot it was there, unless somebody called me.
Having Facebook on your phone is possibly the worst decision anyone can make regarding their mobiles...
Nice article, good to connect again :-)
Cg
When the internet goes down for more than 30 minutes, it makes me realize how dependent I am on the internet and it's absurd. I will be telling my son what life was like pre-smartphones and I am really hopeful that he lives his life in the real world, even though technology is constantly advancing. It's like anything else -- the quantity is the poison.
I'd say ignorance comes first... if the majority knew about the side effects of the 4 and 5G technology, they would be using their phone much less. Look for microwave technology 5G cell phones on YT, there are excellent videos out there
I have lost my reading habits, and sometimes I even feel checking my facebook feed is more important than my upcoming exam. Damn smart phone
I'd pick a ball and go to the court rather than playing NBA2k all day. I'd rather use the Facebook messenger to actually catch up with some long lost friends rather than scrolling the news feed page brainlessly.
Use the tech rather than being used by it.
People were given technology but they weren't educated on how to use it in a healthy way. People should remind themselves that technology is here to serve us, not the opposite. Although, history has shown us that people are addicted to tech just because they are. That is not good and we must find a way to distance ourselves from tech when we don't need it (even if we're passionate about it, like I am), and instead, look around and talk to each others.
Wow Romantic couple
@rok-sivante, your post is spot on.In my teenage years, my cellphone was my life. I could not live without it being next to me. I brought it to work and multitasked with it. Now, my life has changed and my cellphone is just a tool to communicate with my coworkers, family, and friends. I've learned to disconnect when I need to and its actually helped me with my relationships with others. Putting your phone down for a short while during lunch for example gives you time to enjoy life and have a conversation with someone you do not see every day. Thank you for reminding us about the importance of unplugging ourselves from technology.
your welcome. :-)