Does technology really make your life better?

[rank is dumb]

I was bored sitting here on my day off doing laundry and saw something on TV that made me think.. Does technology really make our lives better?

Does having 150 TV channels really matter? Do we really need the internet? Is having access to just about anything we can think of really good for us?





Do you think you could go one week with out using your CPU, TV, IPOD, Game system? Or atleast limit it to no more then 2 hours a day.. Work related stuff excluded.

Think you can? I don't think you can!! 1 week, take 1 week off and report back and tell us what you noticed. If you can!!!:p

I bet more of us are addicted to tecnology then you think.

[drunkenstarfish]

Sorry..........I lost.

[rank is dumb]

Sorry..........I lost.

WEAK!!! :p:p

[Milwaukee]

I was bored sitting here on my day off doing laundry and saw something on TV that made me think.. Does technology really make our lives better?

Does having 150 TV channels really matter? Do we really need the internet? Is having access to just about anything we can think of really good for us?





Do you think you could go one week with out using your CPU, TV, IPOD, Game system? Or atleast limit it to no more then 2 hours a day.. Work related stuff excluded.

Think you can? I don't think you can!! 1 week, take 1 week off and report back and tell us what you noticed. If you can!!!:p

I bet more of us are addicted to tecnology then you think.


This isn't a challenge.....you're looking at the kook that wants to move to the rain forest. I could do this in a heartbeat.....in fact I haven't watched TV in probably 3-4 weeks. Now during the NFL/CFB season this deal is no longer valid :p

[drunkenstarfish]

I think I could do it in the summer. Takin the kids to the pool and baseball keeps me pretty busy till dark, but when my wife sits on her big fat arse in front of the cpu all day its like drinking a beer in front of an alcoholic.
Wait I mean...
schit...
Ummmm....You know what I mean. Right

[Gtrght77]

I could do it on a long camping trip but other then that it doesnt seem worthwhile.

[bk1998]

Does technology make my life better?

Certainly. Compare third world life expectancy to that of an advanced nation.

End of discussion.

[NYY08All-StarGm]

I have recently made a point of trusting in god and abiding to all of the ten commandments, or the ten guidelines as I like to call them. I have been able to lay off of Xbox Live for an entire week. To fill those hours 14- 18 hours per week I'd usually be playing Live (modest), I have been exercising every day. Currently, I feel good and more focused since I've made point of not over- indulging in video games.

If it were up to me I'd give up all the technology of today to go back to the way things were in the 60's, minus the excessive abuse of sex, drugs, and alcohol. Back then gun violence was more condemned; hence, making it much less ramped. When I have a beef with someone I want to only concern myself with having to put my dukes up and facing the challenge like a man. Now with so many youths having gats I'm always worried that this guy might just be packing! This doesn't directly pertain to how technology makes life better or worse today, but I'm just saying I'd rid myself of all current electronics it to live in an era my parents or even my grandparents grew up in.

[Warbuck$]

If it were up to me I'd give up all the technology of today to go back to the way things were in the 60's, minus the excessive abuse of sex, drugs, and alcohol. Back then gun violence was more condemned; hence, making it much less ramped. When I have a beef with someone I want to only concern myself with having to put my dukes up and facing the challenge like a man. Now with so many youths having gats I'm always worried that this guy might just be packing! This doesn't directly pertain to how technology makes life better or worse today, but I'm just saying I'd rid myself of all current electronics it to live in an era my parents or even my grandparents grew up in.

The "good old days" is a common misconception. Things were the same, you just didn't have the technology to know about it.

[NYY08All-StarGm]

The "good old days" is a common misconception. Things were the same, you just didn't have the technology to know about it.

LOL. Good point

[CapnKill]

I think the internet does. The knowledge that is spread through the internet is fantastic and just makes the entire populace more educated.

[rank is dumb]

I don't think people can do this. The moving to rain forest comments are amusing to me. Shows the pure ignorance and narrow minded thinking we have in this country. :rolleyes: Its sad.

Having a easier life and living longer does not make you life better. If life was so great the number of marrages failed, people on anti depressant meds, people over weight, and kids struggling to fit into soceity would be better not worse then it was 25 years ago..

I look at the people I know. The ones who have less money and can't afford internet, CPU's not to mention gaming systems seem to be happier then those who have money and have all these things. I bet a large portion of people would live happier lives with out all the negative influence we get from TV, internet, and other technology.

[bk1998]

Having a easier life and living longer does not make you life better.

Oh yeah, you're right. Dying of smallpox isn't bad at all. :rolleyes:

[dmac2brown46]

i cant do it...hence why i will do anything to never be arrested haha, can u imagine that...be in jail for months upon years......id go craaaazyyy

[BK Arsonist]

I was bored sitting here on my day off doing laundry and saw something on TV that made me think.. Does technology really make our lives better?

Does having 150 TV channels really matter? Do we really need the internet? Is having access to just about anything we can think of really good for us?





Do you think you could go one week with out using your CPU, TV, IPOD, Game system? Or atleast limit it to no more then 2 hours a day.. Work related stuff excluded.

Think you can? I don't think you can!! 1 week, take 1 week off and report back and tell us what you noticed. If you can!!!:p

I bet more of us are addicted to tecnology then you think.


I'd go crazy if I had to go to the post office and buy stamps to pay bills... If I had to wait on a line to deal with someone who has had a bad day at the supermarket...

:D

[warren123]

I don't think people can do this. The moving to rain forest comments are amusing to me. Shows the pure ignorance and narrow minded thinking we have in this country. :rolleyes: Its sad.

Having a easier life and living longer does not make you life better. If life was so great the number of marrages failed, people on anti depressant meds, people over weight, and kids struggling to fit into soceity would be better not worse then it was 25 years ago..

I look at the people I know. The ones who have less money and can't afford internet, CPU's not to mention gaming systems seem to be happier then those who have money and have all these things. I bet a large portion of people would live happier lives with out all the negative influence we get from TV, internet, and other technology.

I don't think people can't do it, I think why would they want to.

I enjoy everything I have. I enjoy playing video games, being able to do a bunch of things online, read up on certain things and be able to be in touch with people via cell phone.

Everything has it's positives and negatives but I do not believe technology is a bad thing. Technology is basically making everything easier for us. If someone sits infront of a TV all day eating food would that mean without TV they would be exersizing?

I don't think anything (tv, cpu, ipod) is a bad thing. Without computers we wouldn't be able to do so much. I don't know how you even mention an ipod it's not like people sit there listening to music opposed to going out like a TV or video game console.

[BOOBOOSD]

I can't do without my computer because I make music on it. That hobby is a big deal to me. Other than that, I can probably do without the TV. I can go days without looking at the TV, same with playing games. I usually only watch it very late at night for like an hour or two before going to bed. During the day, I get bored as hell watching TV or playing games. I can't watch sitcoms, reality shows or any other shows like that, their all pretty fcken stupid to me or don't make me laugh. It would definitely suck not having the internet though.

I can definitely do without cellphones. They annoy the cr@p out of me. I'd rather talk to people in person. I try to avoid long conversations on the cellphone for that matter. If my homies start getting carried away and talking too long, I say "OK buddy, this is kind of g@y, Imma hang up now." Guys shouldn't talk that long IMO, if nothing important is being said. Just to gossip and ***** like that is gay IMO. I only have one because society demands it. If your young and you ain't got one, your definitely ain't hip and up to times. I ain't the type of person that pulls out my cellphone just because I'm bored or ain't got ***** to do. I also have an MP3 player, but don't ever use it. I probably only used it like 5 times. I prefer MP3 CDs, rather than busting out the MP3 player and hooking it up to the AUX input of my stereo. People that walk around 24/7 with earbuds in their ears annoy the cr@p out of me. Especially kids because you know for a fact their listening to some stupid @ss rap music. It's only making them dumber. Like we all need music 24/7. :rolleyes: And also, F*CK bluetooth earpieces, if you got one, your a homo. haha

So other than using the computer to make music, I don't really need technology to help entertain me. I'd rather take a cruise in my car around town, hit up the malls and walk around, go to the beach, go to the park throw a baseball, soccer, football, etc... I can't stand being stuck indoors for too long, I need some fresh air, need to move around.

[Zymotic]

Hmm ... depends on how far you want to take the thought of technology. I mean , isnt a toilet technology ? I guess we could dig holes and drop a steamer in there... but I'd rather just flush em...

Technology I don't have :
1. Cell phone ( don't see a need for one - people try to tell you oh what about if you have an emergency ? Well... there were emegencies prior to cell phones , wtf did you do then ? )
2. Microwave ( threw mine out, don't like the taste of microwaved food, the frozen in the middle burnt on the outside business is too annoying... My life isn't so hectic that I can't find thirty minutes to make a meal for myself ...)
3. DVR , TIVO , digital recorders ... ( again, don't have a need, if something is on I watch it , if I miss it I miss it... my life has never improved or worsened based on me missing or seeing SHARK WEEK)
4. GPS ( I own a map , it cost me three dollars ... guess what it tells me how to get EVERYWHERE! )
5. Ipod , MP3 , (I'm the only nerd with a walkman at the gym , rocking my cassette ... yes I said it ! cassette of music)

Technology I do have :
1. Toilet ( works great ... gets rid of the turds like a pro , cant live without it .)
2. Central Air ( greatest invention that ever came to California *aside from the aqua duct*. Gone are the nights of not being able to sleep because its still 100 degrees in the place)
3. Television ( I have 1400 channels , I watch consistantly maybe 10 . Do I need 1400 ? F NO ! Can you get cable with only your 10 favorite channels ? Nope...)
4. Radio ( Music is great ... what else can you say ?)
5. Computers ( Fantastic machine if you want to learn about things , you can look up almost anything ... you can find any product ... you can post on threads ! yeah! )
6. Car ( My father grew up in NY in the 30s , he tells me stories about horse and buggies going down the streets ... Can you imagine ? I think my father has seen far more technology then my generation or any after ... He does have a cellphone, he does have an ipod , he does have a gps system , he does have a tivo LOL ! But for getting around , for the freedom a car can provide ... its a wonderful creation of man. )
7. Plumbing ( How cool is hot and cold running water ? If you've never visited a country that STILL doesnt have this , you have no idea how great it really is... My uncle in Germany even has a device fitted to the hot and cold knobs that automatically gives you the temp you set it for , this is to not waste water ... but how bad a$$ is that for technology ? Save water , save time...)

There are probably a million more things that we take for granted just because we were born in a time when these things were common , but if you ever really sat and thought about it I think you would find technology does make your life so much better... maybe not the daily luxury time wasting items , but the other stuff.

I do also like going to the post office to buy stamps, I still write lots of letters although I already have everyones email address ... There is something personal and lasting about letter whereas an email is cold and electronic... They have three new stamps out this month , Frank Sinatra , African American Movie Posters and an old time Baseball one ... I'll admit Im a geek for stamps... its my thing... LOVE the technology that created the sticker stamp , any of you remember having to lick stamps ? Probably not ... but back in the old days we did...

When I go on vacation I don't use much technology, and I don't miss it. But that is not to say after a long day at work I do like cracking a cold one and spending an hour or two on the computer ...

[X Bones X]

It makes things easier to get, even if they aren't good for you....so No.

[JoeJGibbs]

I know one technology I woud be able to deal without.. cell phones.

It urks the ***** outta me when someone is at 7-11 or something and decides that now is a good time to make a phone call about NOTHING!

"Yo what are you doing?"
"Yea I'm at 7-11."
"Not sure."
"Probably tomorrow"
"Ok call me later."

What the h3ll would you have done if there were no cell phones? You would've just sat there and been fine. But because you can make a call, you make a call for the h3ll of it.

[Nevada_Ballin]

I was bored sitting here on my day off doing laundry and saw something on TV that made me think.. Does technology really make our lives better?

Does having 150 TV channels really matter? Do we really need the internet? Is having access to just about anything we can think of really good for us?





Do you think you could go one week with out using your CPU, TV, IPOD, Game system? Or atleast limit it to no more then 2 hours a day.. Work related stuff excluded.

Think you can? I don't think you can!! 1 week, take 1 week off and report back and tell us what you noticed. If you can!!!:p

I bet more of us are addicted to tecnology then you think.

Modern technology usually gives people something beyond what you are looking at - that thing is their time. Using the internet to shop for items from home saves time. Using a computer with a spreadsheet saves time and improves accuracy.

Sure we can exist without all of that, we've proved that for thousands of years already. there's no need to prove it again.

[Cards77]

I was bored sitting here on my day off doing laundry and saw something on TV that made me think.. Does technology really make our lives better?

Does having 150 TV channels really matter? Do we really need the internet? Is having access to just about anything we can think of really good for us?





Do you think you could go one week with out using your CPU, TV, IPOD, Game system? Or atleast limit it to no more then 2 hours a day.. Work related stuff excluded.

Think you can? I don't think you can!! 1 week, take 1 week off and report back and tell us what you noticed. If you can!!!:p

I bet more of us are addicted to tecnology then you think.

No we don't need any of it. In fact societal structure itself is an artificial construct that doesn't have anything to do with freedom as people would think.

Look at the hunter/gatherer societies around the world that haven't been influenced by modern society (like a few in the upper Amazon). They have more free time than any other society, and they have better interpersonal relationships than any other society. They are well aware of what is important, and what is not (materialism).

You're not free. YOu have to work, pay bills, pay taxes, buy a house or you essentially do not function in society. That isn't freedom.

[NYY08All-StarGm]

No we don't need any of it. In fact societal structure itself is an artificial construct that doesn't have anything to do with freedom as people would think.

Look at the hunter/gatherer societies around the world that haven't been influenced by modern society (like a few in the upper Amazon). They have more free time than any other society, and they have better interpersonal relationships than any other society. They are well aware of what is important, and what is not (materialism).

You're not free. YOu have to work, pay bills, pay taxes, buy a house or you essentially do not function in society. That isn't freedom.

Your post reminds me of a song by Velvet Revolver titled "Big Machine".

[Swift456]

Technology is great, But it does produce Moral Decline..............


It all depends on how we use it

[T.J. Davis]

For my job, I need a cell phone and a computer w/internet. It's a necessity without it.

But if it wasn't for my job...I'll still need both. The cell phone will keep me in touch with everyone about anything since most of my people live a distance from me and other things. (Gas is too high to be meeting people)

[Swift456]

For my job, I need a cell phone and a computer w/internet. It's a necessity without it.

But if it wasn't for my job...I'll still need both. The cell phone will keep me in touch with everyone about anything since most of my people live a distance from me and other things. (Gas is too high to be meeting people)



Without Technology I wouldnt be able to Ask TJ what team Jordan is playing 4 in that Video?????


What is that 1983????

[rank is dumb]

Modern technology usually gives people something beyond what you are looking at - that thing is their time. Using the internet to shop for items from home saves time. Using a computer with a spreadsheet saves time and improves accuracy.

Sure we can exist without all of that, we've proved that for thousands of years already. there's no need to prove it again.

Maybe not in our life times. ;)



Its just a question. Does having everything at our fingertips really make our live better. Not our standard of living but our lives.

I don't use my CPU much other then looking at sports stats and wasting some time when I'm bored posting on here. I watch very little TV. I don't really own much in the way of tecnology. I have a simple old TV, PS2 and 2 CPU's.. One laptop I got simply for playing poker.

But overall our consumption has gone up due to the increase in tecnology. Is this really a good thing in the long run for man kind? Is making people live longer the best possible thing? The world can only support so many people.

Just makes a interesting topic. Unlike politics and religion. :p

[Warbuck$]

Technology is a double edged sword. Often times I've seriously contemplated ditching my cable tv but football season blows that out of the water. I didn't have a cell phone until seven months ago. I hate them. They're a detriment to society. If I wasn't on call at my job, I wouldn't own one...or even a landline phone for that matter. I don't own an mp3 player but I do have 40gigs of mp3s (that I legally own) on my laptop. I do enjoy the internet a great deal. Being able to google dropping the rear differential in a mustang saved me plenty of headaches. Likewise for changing the ball joints.

Unfortunately, you can't stop change/progress and that's why we have elementary school kids with their own cell phone. And has anyone taken a step back and realized how many expensive gadgets kids have these days? Psp, cells, ipods, computers, xbox's and ps3's. We are an extremely affluent society where even the low incomes have very nice things.

[T.J. Davis]

Without Technology I wouldnt be able to Ask TJ what team Jordan is playing 4 in that Video?????


What is that 1983????

HAHA true, 1986,Stefanel Trieste vs Juve Caserta,Nike exhibition game

[Milwaukee]

No we don't need any of it. In fact societal structure itself is an artificial construct that doesn't have anything to do with freedom as people would think.

Look at the hunter/gatherer societies around the world that haven't been influenced by modern society (like a few in the upper Amazon). They have more free time than any other society, and they have better interpersonal relationships than any other society. They are well aware of what is important, and what is not (materialism).

You're not free. YOu have to work, pay bills, pay taxes, buy a house or you essentially do not function in society. That isn't freedom.


I'm ****in flabbergasted. This is EXACTLY how I feel. 100%.

[Michura]

As someone who loves technology I don't think it makes it THAT much better. I was perfectly happy when I was a young teen (I am 29 now) with no computer, no internet, no cell phone, no online gaming consoles, no DVRs, etc. In a way, life was alot simpler. I didn't have spyware to worry about, I wasn't begin asked about random current events (is it really worthwhile knowing if Christian Bale beat his mom and sister?) and I didn't have to worry about being glitched at online games.

Now that said, going without it now is harder just because everybody else has the luxury. I won't go without internet because other people I communicate with use emails instead of phone calls. Aside from that, I could go without the technology, I just don't see the purpose of doing so without having to.