Is technology making us unhappy?

[Flying Pig]

Apart from improvements in medical technology, organ transplantation and new drugs savings lifes etc, is technology improving life in anyway or just making us greedy, unhealthy and unhappy?

 

With every new technology that is invented i.e. mobiles, playstations, ipads etc, the need to suddenly discard a perfectly working item and then (at greater cost) 'improved' yourself by buying the latest must buy fad whilst sniggering at your mates who only have the Iphone 4s? I can see the my own kids who are suckered into this materialistic bullshit as I was years earlier and have realised we are not happier or any better off. I, and I'm sure I'm not alone, was happiest as a young lad with a football playing in the street without having to worry about cyber bulling, mobile phone bills or my gf calling me to find out where I am. Even porn has become boring because its so easily found; nothing beats finding an old edition of Penthouse discarded on the local field. And finally, most of the kids today will probably all be obese as they sit motionless for 16 hours a day playing World or Warcraft or some other brain numbing shite.Get the footy out and lets fuck off technology.

 

 

This was sent using my iphone.

[Magic Sponge]

I think as humans we should marvel in how we've shaped technology.

 

I watched a programme last week about the brain, they said that we've started farming out memory to things like smartphones so the brain can concentrate on other tasks.

[Guest davelfc]

I remember as a kid we had two plug sockets in the front room. One for the tv and one for an electric fire. I didn't own an item that had to be plugged in until I was 16 and bought myself a black and white portable tv from Rumbelows, after having saved all the money I got from a Saturday job.

 

One of those hand tune jobs, in order to watch more than a few channels I had to sit there like a safe cracker finely tuning until I managed to get a welsh channel. Yes we were desperate in those days.

 

The progress is incredible but it has come at a price. More than 95% of information on the net is shit, rumour or something presented as facts by retards. The trouble is many other retards believe what they read because they haven't really got a clue either.

 

Youtube shit about 911, the moon landings for example. People claiming all sorts of things and using a face in the smoke as facts. Experts ignored because their explanation isn't sexy or controversial enough.

 

Mobile phones for me are the biggest evil, I spent half of my life without one and didn't miss it. Yeah it's nice to be able to keep in touch but I'm seriously considering fucking mine off.

 

Get on a train these days and it's full of zombies, all on some or other device. Get on a bus and listen to some loud mouthed tart tell anyone on the other end that she's 'ON A BUS'

 

Progress, I think not.

 

Medically of course you have to marvel at what we have achieved. Although that nurses station has 1 nurse and 5 computer staff, none of them trained medically. The computer was supposed to get rid of paper but that's not happened yet.

[Carvalho Diablo]

I believe that people aren't as happy now as they were 50 years ago.

 

I also believe that technology has played a part in this.

 

Computerisation and automation may well make processes more efficient and cost effective, I'm a hypocrite too because I involve myself in this discussion via the magic of the net.

 

But I do believe that unemployment is negatively skewed by this "progress" and so too is people's value and self-worth.

 

Nice thread mate, a topic I've occasionally found myself contemplating over the past decade. Curious to see others opinions.

 

Off to buy an allotment.

 

Confirmed Luddite.

[Flying Pig]

I think as humans we should marvel in how we've shaped technology.

 

I watched a programme last week about the brain, they said that we've started farming out memory to things like smartphones so the brain can concentrate on other tasks.

 

 

 

I was making sweeping comments about technology and obviously some are brilliant but I was really targeting those which make us spend more whilst bringing out the worse in people; laziness, greed etc. We all strive to have a better life but its not better, its just more expensive without the proper fun factor. Can anyone beat the fun of wearing my sister knickers whilst spinning around on my skates? The answer will always be no!

[Robbo29]

have to say i partly agree, but then i think how much life has improved with my sky+ and kindle!

[mrw74]

I was making sweeping comments about technology and obviously some are brilliant but I was really targeting those which make us spend more whilst bringing out the worse in people; laziness, greed etc. We all strive to have a better life but its not better, its just more expensive without the proper fun factor. Can anyone beat the fun of wearing my sister knickers whilst spinning around on my skates? The answer will always be no!

 

Plus, all this technology has killed the art of conversation. You go out for a drink and how many people are stood there texting or facebooking or tweeting. And how many people go into a blind panic when they can't find their phone, as its has simply taken over peoples lives.

 

PS - I've started to follow you on twitter :whistle:

[Flying Pig]

have to say i partly agree, but then i think how much life has improved with my sky+ and kindle!

 

 

But without those things we would all be more social and maybe go out to meet our friends and family more, face to face. Social behaviour is shaped by technology, crime amongst others is helped by it, but are we happier? My Mum (she's 80) used to say to me years ago how she loved playing in the fields with a stick and a hoola hoop for hours with her friends (who are all still alive in their 80's) and I used to think how shite life was in the 1940's. I think I was wrong.

[Guest davelfc]

have to say i partly agree, but then i think how much life has improved with my sky+ and kindle!

 

I used to love going to the library, I'd spend a whole Saturday morning in there, I also used to enjoy sitting down with the family at a pre set time and watching a tv show together. Saturday night tv was great before it was all full of twats I want to murder.

 

Now it's insular, people shrieking "don't tell me, don't tell me, I haven't watched that yet" as you try to engage in conversation about something interesting on the TV (I know rare) I miss the times when we could all chat about something on tv the next day and everyone could join in.

 

Technology has made us all lazy, even the humble car. Now very few people know their neighbours but there was a time (when you had to walk) that you would eventually after seeing them a few times in their gardens or at the bus stop or out, be able to chat, pass the time of day with them.

 

Mention having to walk to a kid these days and see what happens, lazy fuckers.

[Magic Sponge]

 

I was making sweeping comments about technology and obviously some are brilliant but I was really targeting those which make us spend more whilst bringing out the worse in people; laziness' date=' greed etc. We all strive to have a better life but its not better, its just more expensive without the proper fun factor. Can anyone beat the fun of wearing my sister knickers whilst spinning around on my skates? The answer will always be no![/quote']

 

Haha. Whatever floats your boat mate.

 

With regards to turning people unsociable, I'd say that's more down society as opposed to technology.

 

Good thread by the way.

[Carvalho Diablo]

 

Mobile phones for me are the biggest evil, I spent half of my life without one and didn't miss it. Yeah it's nice to be able to keep in touch but I'm seriously considering fucking mine off.

 

Do it Dave.

 

Do it.

 

Last year my brother was whinging on saying that he could never get hold of me.

 

I told him that he can always :

 

1. Phone me at work

 

2. Phone me at home

 

3. Phone me on my mobile.

 

I then realised that the ONLY time where I am uncontactable is Mon - Friday, 1pm - 2pm, when I'm on my dinner at work, when I leave my mobile in my locker.

 

It was only when I said this to him out loud that I realised, fucking hell, I might as well have an electronic tag on my fucking leg !

 

Apres toil drinks and japes are now almost a thing of yesteryear; how many times are we out, having fun and laughter, unwinding, de-stressing, phone rings, nag nag fucking nag, "Sorry lads, gotta go home and worm the fucking dog.".

 

Or summat.

 

Getting angry...

[Guest davelfc]

Lads getting called when out by their other half, worse still texts.

 

If someone got a call in the pub by their missus then the whole place jeered him and he probably had to change his local. Now it's like a fucking remote control, she texts and he jumps.

 

Weirdly for all their technological advances the banks haven't yet discovered a way to credit a cheque (for free) in less than a few days and the same with a refund on your card, that can go immediately from your available balance but takes ages to be put back. Strange.

 

Oh and I doubt we could have ended up trillions of pounds in debt as a country without the computer. Nobody has really explained to me where all that money has gone, who has it and why aren't we at war with them instead? (I don't really want to know)

[Flying Pig]

Plus, all this technology has killed the art of conversation. You go out for a drink and how many people are stood there texting or facebooking or tweeting. And how many people go into a blind panic when they can't find their phone, as its has simply taken over peoples lives.

 

PS - I've started to follow you on twitter :whistle:

 

Twitter's ace - whats your twitter username?

 

I, for the first time ever, forgot my mobile last week. I was in a blind panic, hoping that my bird didn't know my passcode or find my secret folder with my filth collection. I was so relieved to come home without being knifed due to what she could have seen. My two mates (in their early forties) have both got mobiles over 4 years old and are not on facebook or twitter and look at me strangely if I ever mention it to them as they have no interest, which is very refreshing.

[John McClane]

I was in the supermarket earlier pondering what sandwich to buy and the girl in front of the fridge is on mobile phone to her man talking about very personal issues and with her demanding to see the nurse and she wont take no for an answer. Granted I looked at her to check her out but she gave me an awkward stare. I wouldn't touch her and never even picked a sandwich, lost appetite. Im hungry now. Thanks technology.

 

Walk down any street at anytime, if you pass anyone aged 12 - 40 they are most probably on their phones. You meet up with mates after a week or 2 and you know exactly what they have been doing as they are on facebook constantly. So you put a christmas tree up and you made pasta for dinner, thanks for telling us,congratulations.

 

Also Supermarkets and Boots promote self service check outs, so 1 human can tend to 6 tills at once. Wont be long until jobs in retail are few.

Walk down your High Street, major stores closing down, why because folk would rather buy online, and places like Amazon are cheaper as they don't pay corporation tax.

 

In conclusion, we are fucked.

[Carvalho Diablo]

I was making sweeping comments about technology and obviously some are brilliant but I was really targeting those which make us spend more whilst bringing out the worse in people; laziness, greed etc. We all strive to have a better life but its not better, its just more expensive without the proper fun factor. Can anyone beat the fun of wearing my sister knickers whilst spinning around on my skates? The answer will always be no!

 

Great post.

 

A few Christmasses ago I was round at my brothers house with all the kids and their new Playstations, XBoxes, GameCubes etc etc, and our kidder opens up my present I got for him...a windy up Evel Knievel !

 

Fucking Hell, any bloke of a certain age will know exactly what I'm on about, growing up in our house as kids the windy up Evel Kneivel was responsible for more fights and agro than any fucking Union Flag in Belfast let me tell you, but that particular Christmas the kids - although not having a clue what the fuck the thing was - were all intrigued enough to stick around to find out.

 

Anyway, me and our kid (two blokes aged 42 and 40), were building ramps and jumping Evel over our mothers' face, and letting Evel spectacularly smash full pelt into our bollocks.

 

The kids loved it, we were all involved, all laughed together and had a great time.

 

All the while, their spanking new XBoxes, PS3's etc are sitting there redundant.

[John McClane]

Same last year, the ds and wii are kicking about, but bring out the cards or jenga and everyone is in.

 

I reckon games of yesteryear will make a comeback one Christmas very soon.

[Carvalho Diablo]

Mobile phones.

 

Ok, very useful if your car breaks down or if you want to send jokes to your mates.

 

That's it.

 

Facebook. Don't have an account, never ever posted. I have real friends and I know where the pub is.

[Flying Pig]

Great post.

 

A few Christmasses ago I was round at my brothers house with all the kids and their new Playstations, XBoxes, GameCubes etc etc, and our kidder opens up my present I got for him...a windy up Evel Knievel !

 

Fucking Hell, any bloke of a certain age will know exactly what I'm on about, growing up in our house as kids the windy up Evel Kneivel was responsible for more fights and agro than any fucking Union Flag in Belfast let me tell you, but that particular Christmas the kids - although not having a clue what the fuck the thing was - were all intrigued enough to stick around to find out.

 

Anyway, me and our kid (two blokes aged 42 and 40), were building ramps and jumping Evel over our mothers' face, and letting Evel spectacularly smash full pelt into our bollocks.

 

The kids loved it, we were all involved, all laughed together and had a great time.

 

All the while, their spanking new XBoxes, PS3's etc are sitting there redundant.

 

 

Wow, I had one. You could not have given a better example of pre-technolgy fun. No batteries just a ramp and a molded guy on a motorbike. And I bet you had it for years or until it disintegrated when throw from a top window. Awesome fun.

 

 

Evel Knievel Toys I IDEAL I 1973 I Catalog I Plaidstallions.com

 

Technolgy sucks. And I haven't even mentioned the Rubic's cube.

[Bobby Hundreds]

Yeah but the moment will pass with evel knievel. The Xbox and ps3 will be getting 100s of more hours use. Kids do have to many options to stay indoors now as a kid I was never in.

[Flying Pig]

Same last year, the ds and wii are kicking about, but bring out the cards or jenga and everyone is in.

 

I reckon games of yesteryear will make a comeback one Christmas very soon.

 

 

Last xmas the entire family played Monopoly for about 3 hours until some cunt bought everthing and we all decided to quit and played cards for hours. No apps needed for that.

[Carvalho Diablo]

You know what they say about nostalgia...

 

[YOUTUBE]aCTc0c6gP9A[/YOUTUBE]

 

...it aint what it used to be.

[Guest davelfc]

Ah the days when porn was the underwear section of a catalogue. How I grew to despise those judgemental semi clad bitches.

[Flying Pig]

Yeah but the moment will pass with evel knievel. The Xbox and ps3 will be getting 100s of more hours use. Kids do have to many options to stay indoors now as a kid I was never in.

 

I disagree. We used to play footy with my Wembley trophy (orange with black stripes)* footy until dark every night and all weekend. One payment of about 50p each last about 3 months until it was burst by the local dogs who freely roamed the streets them days. We were all fit as fleas and never had a minute of boredom. I foresee our grandchildren to be like the families at the end of Wall-E; I hope not but we are getting there all ready.

 

 

 

 

*RIP, can no longer be found.

[Fowlers God]

I was in the supermarket earlier pondering what sandwich to buy and the girl in front of the fridge is on mobile phone to her man talking about very personal issues and with her demanding to see the nurse and she wont take no for an answer. Granted I looked at her to check her out but she gave me an awkward stare. I wouldn't touch her and never even picked a sandwich, lost appetite. Im hungry now. Thanks technology.

 

Walk down any street at anytime, if you pass anyone aged 12 - 40 they are most probably on their phones. You meet up with mates after a week or 2 and you know exactly what they have been doing as they are on facebook constantly. So you put a christmas tree up and you made pasta for dinner, thanks for telling us,congratulations.

 

Also Supermarkets and Boots promote self service check outs, so 1 human can tend to 6 tills at once. Wont be long until jobs in retail are few.

Walk down your High Street, major stores closing down, why because folk would rather buy online, and places like Amazon are cheaper as they don't pay corporation tax.

 

In conclusion, we are fucked.

 

I refuse to go to self service tills. Fuck that shit- they never work, you always have to wait for someone to come over as something needs authorisation ect. Fuck that, ill cue to look at the blonde uni birds tits thanks.

[Carvalho Diablo]

Don't talk to me about modern "music", just don't, alright ?

 

Just don't even go there. Ever.

 

This :

 

[YOUTUBE]MFQI-u5ExUE[/YOUTUBE]

 

or this :

 

[YOUTUBE]9ibblFcvaKQ[/YOUTUBE]

 

Sorry, should have put that in NSFW tags.