Naked Science Forum
On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: ?UNTURNED_STONE? on 20/02/2008 05:45:07
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After the birth of man we went though a great many ages we invented the wheel and fire and we discovered great things about life, we somehow managed to span out over the entire face of the globe and construct great cities with onle the help of a few basic construction machines, during this time everthing was made from stone, mud brick OR thatch, yet somehow the human race managed to survived, the only availabile clothing of the time would have been basic linen or cloth and they would not be thick or heat efficient. AND now in this day and age we seem to be complaining about everthing, houses are insulated to the extreme walls filled with heat efficient materials, Air conditioners fo when the weather is hot, and cars so that we dont have to walk everywhere we go...
NOW TO MY POINT...
People have lost faith in their own minds, most teenagers (i should know i am one) wouldnt even know how to do simple equations, and now that we have surrounded ourselves with so much technoligy we cannot build houses without the help of great machines that emmit planet destroying particles, robots build the things that we get around in, most teenagers lives revolve around Myspace MSN and Mobile phones, they wouldnt know how to interact with other people.
I Think that the Human population of the world needs to slow down and think back have more social gatherings rely less on computers and more on people.
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People have lost faith in their own minds, most teenagers (i should know i am one) wouldnt even know how to do simple equations, and now that we have surrounded ourselves with so much technoligy we cannot build houses without the help of great machines that emmit planet destroying particles, robots build the things that we get around in, most teenagers lives revolve around Myspace MSN and Mobile phones, they wouldnt know how to interact with other people.
I don't think people have lost faith in their minds. The world works in a different way from 100 years ago - or even 20 years ago. Who really needs to be able to do equations these days? The nearest I get is calculating if I've got enough petrol to get where I'm going [:D]
Those who need equations normally have calculators or computers to do the work for them. Without getting bogged down in the calculations, people are free to learn & do more.
What I do despair at, though, is people who are unable to do simple arithmetic such as working out change from a purchase.
I agree with your point about social networking; but the same can be said about anything that is taken to extremes.
I Think that the Human population of the world needs to slow down and think back have more social gatherings rely less on computers and more on people.
Personally, I think internet socialising is a wonderful thing if not taken to extremes. I've met some really nice people and learned a lot about other countries and cultures. How else could I talk to a Korean, an Iraqi, a Zimbabwean and a Russian all at the same time?
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I would suggest it is the mis-use of the mind for escapist pursuits that is causing "the dumbing." Being interested only which celebrity is doing what, the most popular movie, Hanna Montana for the younger kids, and being totally alienated from nature, history, GEOGRAPHY (where are Korea, Russia, Iraqi, Zimbabwe?) the humanities and science, or any serous topic is troubling.
There is hope breaking through, though. In the election we are having in the US I am seeing for the first time in 40 years young people en mass becoming involved in the political process. (No opinions on that process itself will be given, however.) There is also a growing movement of young people trying to do some sort of volunteer work as well.
The shock of the huge change we have experienced in my lifetime - from using a mechanical adding machine and a manual typewriter with NO power (I still have one) to a technology it is becoming increasingly difficult to totally grasp for a technically minded person - is causing a shock wave to pass through our civilization that has created a couple of generations of mostly people who feel disoriented and resistant to change. It appears that this is changing as the generation now coming to the fore has grown up culturally adapted to this change.
I haven't lost hope in humanity or its ability to survive. I really have a sense that somehow we will learn to adapt to the new situation we have created for ourselves. It isn't guaranteed, it may not happen, but there is HOPE.
I do think that there is a lag in creating a society that functions well - your point. Humanity depends on human interaction - physical contact is absolutely necessary. Hugs produce happier people: a proven fact psychologically. Technology will never replace this unless artificial insemination becomes the norm. Sex is too much fun to allow this!
There is hope - help build it by becoming involved.
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GAWD... that was a bit profound!
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I do have moments of consciousness.
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Why is advancing far enough so we can focus on things like science more than how much thatch is needed to build a house a bad thing?
You may be a teenager, but so am I. And my life doesn't revolve around MySpace or cell phones...
most teenagers lives revolve around Myspace MSN and Mobile phones, they wouldnt know how to interact with other people.
But I'm pretty sure that MSN, cell phones and Myspace all help you interact with people faster.
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Oh, and is dumbening a word?
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But I'm pretty sure that MSN, cell phones and Myspace all help you interact with people faster.
Yes, but people are losing the art of conversation and communication via the net removes the face-to-face aspect. You don't see people's nuances and can't read their body language (except with a webcam, but that loses a lot). 1 advantage, though, is that if you get bored, you don't have to make excuses to leave.
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Why is advancing far enough so we can focus on things like science more than how much thatch is needed to build a house a bad thing?
You may be a teenager, but so am I. And my life doesn't revolve around MySpace or cell phones...
But I'm pretty sure that MSN, cell phones and Myspace all help you interact with people faster.
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Yes but im saying that in a face to face conversation most teenagers will say hi and then pull out their Mobile phone and start texting, thats not really interacting, in school i see masses of people texting bluetoothing and not talking much :)
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Why is advancing far enough so we can focus on things like science more than how much thatch is needed to build a house a bad thing?
You may be a teenager, but so am I. And my life doesn't revolve around MySpace or cell phones...
But I'm pretty sure that MSN, cell phones and Myspace all help you interact with people faster.
Yes but im saying that in a face to face conversation most teenagers will say hi and then pull out their Mobile phone and start texting, thats not really interacting, in school i see masses of people texting bluetoothing and not talking much :)
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Not here, strict rules against cell phones. I don't even have one, I'm not popular enough.
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Why do people get so down on teenagers. I work with teenagers and have one roaming around my house (I think he's my son but I'm far too young to admit it.) Anyway I find most are able to talk face to face without the aid of a piece of technology. A lot of the problem kids have today is the lack of freedom they have. From about the age of nine they should be going off on their own and exploring the world but because of the increased traffic on the road and the unreal fear of child abductors waiting around every corner means they are kept under parental supervision. This has lead to teenagers communicating via technology because they are not so free to pop around to their mates when they feel like it. Don't blame teenagers us oldies created this. Also my son stutters so when he goes on Forums or texts people he doesn't have to stress out about stuttering. Phoning someone is a nightmare for him. Face to face he copes and is a good conversationalist like most people I have met around his age.
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Why do people get so down on teenagers. I work with teenagers and have one roaming around my house (I think he's my son but I'm far too young to admit it.) Anyway I find most are able to talk face to face without the aid of a piece of technology. A lot of the problem kids have today is the lack of freedom they have. From about the age of nine they should be going off on their own and exploring the world but because of the increased traffic on the road and the unreal fear of child abductors waiting around every corner means they are kept under parental supervision. This has lead to teenagers communicating via technology because they are not so free to pop around to their mates when they feel like it. Don't blame teenagers us oldies created this. Also my son stutters so when he goes on Forums or texts people he doesn't have to stress out about stuttering. Phoning someone is a nightmare for him. Face to face he copes and is a good conversationalist like most people I have met around his age.
Whoo, that's a relief because a large part of my life is blaming anyone besides myself. So far it's proportioned like this,
85% Kraner
10% economy
4% weather
1% other.
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I've just realised how ironic this all is as we are all talking on a forum!!
As for blaming everyone else wait ubtil you are a parent and then you will always blame yourself. Guilt is a big part of child rearing.
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For the most part, I don't see teenagers (or most that I am friends with) bristling with broad knowledge and interest in things of scientific or practical nature, anywhere beyond the available features of the newest gaming console.
However, I don't think that teenagers are collectively dumber. In general, education in America is very extensive and diversified and many young minds are breaking ground in areas such as robotics and technology, that I believe will benefit us all. Such willingness for adapting to and creating change for the better (such as renewable resources) is (I believe) a characteristic that is auspicious for a more creative and successful future.