Originally Posted By: DoubleWasp
I think you haven't taken the time to see what is on social media: Documentation of people getting out and doing more than perhaps any young generation ever has. I can tell you from some very solid experience that there are more young people travelling the globe than I have seen in my lifetime. Outdoor events featuring everything from cycling, fitness challenges, cultural experiences, community activities, and recreational activities are definitely at a high.
I'm not saying you're completely wrong. Those who use technology just to be complete "tarts" (this censor filter makes me talk like I'm from another century), thugs, idiots, or just plain old nuisances tend to stand out more than the rest of society. There is no doubt that one has to wade through a pile of people engaged in complete idiocy in order to get relevant content.
I'm guilty of the same thing. I see things go on now that didn't go on before and say, "How could these people let this happen?!".
It's human nature. When something new comes along, the first thing we're hard-wired to do is look at the consequences. The fact that there is a negative side alone is enough to make us turn away, because at the end of the day, we are faced with new challenges in addition to the ones that already existed. Many times, the benefits appear intangible, and the negatives are very real. And if we are unable to appreciate or use the benefits, then it's just toilet contents to us.
But let me give you an example. A while ago I was on Facebook, and I got a notification that Diesel Power was live at the diesel races in Utah. This was a live broadcast of a diesel truck race in Utah. 5 years ago, I would never have been able to watch an event like this live, and the only content I would get would be some lame snapshots in a mag and some stats. No network would ever have covered this. Instead, I'm watching this race live, able to communicate directly with the commentator, while talking about the whole thing live with other people watching the same Facebook broadcast. Through this, relevant answers were given to relevant questions like racer and truck status, expected appearances, predictions of run times, etc. I even got a free subscription out of the whole thing by calling out the closest ET on a few trucks.
For me, this is incredible. The fact that live coverage of "less popular" races has all but disappeared in the post-Speedvision era has really ticked me off for a long time. But now I get complete interactive coverage instead.
It's not all as terrible as it seems. For the past several years, there has been a major backlash against the disconnection caused by social media, and it has resulted in social media and smartphones being used in ways that do more to connect people than disconnect them. It will settle itself eventually.
I realize the wonder and information available within social media and the internet in general. It CAN be a very good way to connect to distant people as well as local groups and/or info that CAN make life a bit more enjoyable at times. I have zero problems when smartphones are used sparingly and with regard to those around you. I also don't particularly care when the younger crowd spends most of the day on them. They aren't my kids.
But....when our culture changes (and it certainly has) and incorporates these devices as tantamount to life....I object. Not everything in the real world can be experienced on a gizmo screen. You aren't REALLY communicating at full capacity when you IM or email/tweet or FB reply to people. The real world...the grit, the smells (good and bad), the sights and sounds....can only be truly appreciated by participating and attending. In my opinion many today are far too dependent upon these things than they realize. Is it really needed or interesting to constantly know what your "friends" are doing at every given moment? Is it REALLY worth the time to "interact" at that level when doing just about anything else is more meaningful? People die every single day using these silly devices....mostly from chatting or texting about nothing. Innocent people are effected all the time from these users/abusers. Whether it be death or inconvenience....rudeness, lack of social skills...or just plain bad manners....we'd all be better off with some serious moderation. We are all TOO connected. Sometimes being alone...out of communication with EVERYONE we know....is a very good thing. It's, in my opinion, every bit as important to sometimes be completely alone and truly free of people...as it is to spend some real time WITH living, breathing people.
But that never happens when it comes to these things. At least not yet, nor do I see it on the horizon.