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The Techy Generation...

September 15th, 2011 at 01:53 am

I remember a song about it being the Pepsi Generation. And of course there's the Baby Boomer generation and the Generation X.

But tonight, standing in line at a funeral visitation, there was a sign requesting we turn off our cell phones. A sad commentary that some of us have become so "connected" that we have to always have our phone on. I noticed that the over 50 crowd in this line didn't have their phones out checking them every minute. It was kind of refreshing because to be quite honest, I'm tired of trying to have a conversation with some of the people who are glued to the little screen on their phone, so afraid of missing a call or text.

How many folks stopped at the stop light are checking their phone. I can tell you there are many times when there is a long delay after the light has turned green and the head is down and the eyes aren't on the road.

I'm always amazed that when I leave the house early in the morning how many folks are yakking away on their phones. I didn't think that many people were morning persons wanting to talk the day away.

Then there's the times we eat out and people are watching their cell phone screens instead of trying to have a conversation with the people sitting across from them.

I like my computer and I certainly enjoy the benefits of a cordless phone in my home and a cell phone. But if it means not talking to the people I'm with and being so absorbed, I think I want out of the techy generation.

Any one with me?

7 Responses to “The Techy Generation...”

  1. MonkeyMama Says:
    1316049396

    Actually, I personally like the techy generation, in the sense of simplicity. I think technology offers a chance to greatly simplify (less space needed to store things, etc.).

    BUT, I am with you on the overall feel of your post. I don't know how many times I have been with people who start looking at their phone and texting during a conversation. SO AGGRAVATING. Just today I got stuck behind some lady yacking away on her cell phone a million miles a minute - she wouldn't GO (was a stop sign with lots of cross traffic, but lord knows what she was waiting for! Distracted, for sure).

    It's funny you bring up because I was just thinking today about how I wonder how much of social outcasts we will be in the long run not partaking with most of our generation, and how much we will have to compromise to stay in the loop, etc. I personally can't stand most of the Facebook premise (ME ME ME - all the time - glued to the computer 24/7 type stuff). & as much as I love the internet, I also turn off and unplug a good portion of every day (& most vacations). I unplug most the time I leave the house, for one.

    & so tech gets a bad name, and I Feel like I often have to defend the good sides. But, rant away - I TOTALLY understand!!

  2. baselle Says:
    1316062360

    I can hear you now. Big Grin What amuses me about the collection of tech friends I have is that the more they are connected, the less useful they are to me - not decisive, not interesting, not clever, and no skills.

    I also resent the fact that I'm supposedly supposed to be on Facebook. Today we were emailed by our Brand Department that we are supposed to "friend" our workplace. Yeah, I don't think so. Even if I was on Facebook. Here's the deal - I do a series of tasks well, and you pay me for it.

  3. LuckyRobin Says:
    1316063919

    The only time I really have my phone on is when I'm away from my kids or they are away from me. But I try very hard not to be rude about it. If I get a text, I'll take a quick peek to see who it is from, saying something like, "I'm sorry, just need to make sure it's not one of the kiddos." If it is not from my kids or DH I put it away. I will never check it while driving (won't answer it if it rings either), I turn it off for movies (and definitely for funerals), plays, the kids' concerts, etc. A year ago, we didn't even have texting on our phones, but as the kids get older and are away from us so much more of the time, it makes it easier to stay in touch. I still have mixed feelings about it, but the practical nature of it has won out, I suppose.

  4. starfishy Says:
    1316100051

    I LOVE technology - internet, facebook, video games (well, only Doodle Jump and Angry Birds), my new iPad. But, I will NEVER understand how a potential voice on a phone or words on a screen are more important or compelling than someone who is flesh and blood right in front of you. I hate it when someone takes a call when I'm with them (unless it's their kids) and in fact have very few good friends who would do this. I don't get it - why not let voicemail pick up?

    I'm probably the most techie of my friends, but i don't have a smartphone, only a prepaid cell that i almost never use (mostly when traveling). I don't like to be constantly accessible - I like my anonymous time (obviously, I don't have children!) I also don't understand what people are talking about when they are on their phones constantly. Seems like a lot of it is needless chatter to fill up time and space.

    I also don't think it's just a sign of the times - my mom was constantly on our turquoise 70's wall phone when I was a kid. She would sit in the dining room tethered to that phone and blab with her friends. A phone call would interrupt whatever we were doing - I hated it then, too!

  5. ceejay74 Says:
    1316100957

    I'm with all of you. I'm into the technology stuff for the most part; I'm pretty attached to Facebook (and this community, of course) and my family is pretty bad about being on the computer and other devices at night and on the weekends. But my best friend is the WORST (ha) -- I barely even see his eyes anymore because he's always looking down at his iPad, even when we're in mid-conversation. Sometimes we'll tease him about it just so he'll put it away and just hang out with us. I was glad we went to another friend's wedding a couple weeks ago, because I actually got to talk to him face to face for once without having to ask him to put his technology down!

  6. Jerry Says:
    1316425291

    I am noticing that there are young medical students who are almost unable to interact appropriately with patients, and they will send text messages to people who are ten feet from them. I don't want to sound all doom and gloom, but I think that if we lose the ability to interact in a human manner, it will lead us away from what makes us most human to begin with. I'd rather have the insurance of someone who can look me in the eye, shake my hand, and be present with me. If you are only focusing on screens, that will not happen.
    Jerry

  7. rob62521 Says:
    1316649159

    I'm all for technology, but I think we can all agree it has a time and a place.

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