I think this generation wastes valuable life looking at a computer screen, trying to gain validation. You?

Question

My friends look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them that I don't get into facebook, youtube and twitter. They look at me like I have issues when I tell them I'm not interested in these websites with forums and blogging.

I don't want to die knowing that I spent a significant amount of valuable time on this Earth looking at a screen be it a computer screen, a t.v. screen, the screen of your cell phone because you're texting, using wi-fi, or the screen of something! Although it has advanced many of the experiences in life, I feel that technology has reduced some of them as well! For example; Facebook. To me, this is Facebook in three sentences...

Don't wrongly believe that public presentations tell us about private lives. They tell us nothing. They hide everything.

I mean, people do that in general, but that is essentially what Facebook is on a larger scale. Not only that, but I think it takes away so much from the mystery of getting to know someone! What ever happened to actual conversations where you get to look in someone's eyes, hear the way they say something, take note of their facial expressions, appreciate the tiny little visual things like dimples or the way their eyes light up when they smile or the way they shyly turn their head then look at you when you say something they think is oh so charming! Things like that! Moments you can't capture through facebook and yahoo!! I have a facebook, but I gradually stopped logging on and adding information and making statuses. I just feel like, if I die tomorrow, I don't want to have spent a good portion of time on facebook falsely connecting with others! I feel like for some people who have over 1,000 friends on facebook and strive to get a certain amount of subscribers on youtube, it seems like they're trying to validate their worth. Otherwise what's the point!? What's the point of freely giving so much of your time and thoughts to people you may have never even met or may not even be acquainted with!? To me, it seems to decrease 'moment opportunity'. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?

Answer 1

I completely agree with you, I was like you last year too. I had no interest in social networking sites like Facebook and I didn't even have a profile. Then my friend made me set one up and I have ashamedly been hooked ever since. Its also even harder in college when people around you all have fb and are always on it on their laptops. Its is a guilty pleasure to stalk peoples pages, see what their up to but when you find yourself looking at peoples baby photos at 3 o'clock in the morning you really know you've got it bad! As somebody who is quite interested in people but shy it does indulge me but I do completely agree with you about actual conversations. Nothing beats them and you're right about not wanting to waste your time with them if anything was to happen (touch wood). Its a hard choice, if you don't have it will you be left behind in the social networking generation? or do you not bother with the whole thing in favor of my meaningful social interaction? I don't no. I feel like if I was to leave it I would somehow be missing out on everything from parties to finding out if someones single. But at the same time I hate being a conformist zombie who goes along with the rest of the pack! Plus even job employers can make or break a decision to hire you based on your fb page. Do we really want them to have that power over us? I don't know, but one thing I do know is that fb is a very powerful thing, you can see it everyday whether its positive or negative, but would we be better off without it?I don't know

Answer 2

I think this generation wastes valuable life looking at a computer screen, trying to gain validation. You?



~~~ Perhaps...

(Is that why you are here, or are you exempt by being 'another generation'?)

For me (and I don't waste my time on the pop fads that you mentioned, nor do I have a cell phone), the net is my access to planetary mind, I am an input device, primarily, contributing to the sum-total of complete 'planetary knowledge'.



But you are surely correct in many ways.

I watch the young fools using their 'devices' while driving and weaving all over the road!

In restaurants, sharing their conversations with us all, as if we actually want to hear it!

(You surely don't do that, do you?)

We can see much of their inanity on this site alone...

"What's your favorite ________ (fill in the blank)"

"How do I get Bobby to looooove meeeee?!?!?"

Etc...

Perhaps they might be better served by reading a book occasionally?



So, I agree that there are instances as you mention, and that there are other contexts.

It's ALL True!

Answer 3

Internet is the "next dimension"; we crave interface networking like microbial reproduction.



Someday we (or someone) will look and find the metaphysical benefits of interfacing.



But for now we have such serious health problems (generally) that the benefits are outweighed.



I think exercise is overrated, but the internet is theoretically very profound.



1) new ideas



2) new approaches to old norms



3) technological transcendance is being investigated



A map, an ambiguous plan, all you need is biology and health gaurantees, speaking broadly.



Otherwise you're looking for an older map, that isn't to say you're looking for poorer health.

Answer 4

I think it's ironic you're using yahoo answers for this question and not at a coffee shop, a barnes and noble, or something like that talking this over with some real life people.



That being said, there's some good points in your statement above but everyone's their own person. Like facebook will never be your life, some people are never going to feel comfortable enough to live without it (or something like it).