Thoraiya DyerInternet Stole Your Social Life?
November 12th 2006 09:39
I must confess I've been burned out for quite a while in my job and had to get away from the computer. The last time I went out with my friends to dinner was back in August! My social conscience has revolted (lol). Lately, I'm just logging online for an hour or two to visit my bookmarked sites and download resources for my studies. Otherwise, I'm browsing through my college clippings, hanging out with old friends, and relaxing, relaxing, relaxing!
I came across one I read sometime in the past about the Internet hype. I know you think it's a bit too late for this now, but I've seen enough of MMORPG addicts (grrr!) -- maybe this can help them:
Clifford Stoll, physicist, astronomer, and author of Silicon Snake Oil: Second Thoughts on the Information Highway said in an interview:
The future of cyberspace? Everyone says, "It's amazing" and I go "Yawn." I'm a physicist, so I don't predict the future. Lots of people in computers think because you use the World Wide Web you suddenly are a futurist who understands what tomorrow's society will be like. I cannot imagine my life 50 years fron now being spent online. Indeed, I hope my life 10 or 20 years from now will be spent with relatives. Almost as soon as I succeed in understanding and manipulating computers I'll be bored and look for more friends and neighbors. I hope I spend more time in coffee shops and less time in the Net...
I've been in the Internet since 1975, and I'm not afraid of computers. Quite the opposite. I feel our problem is a blind love affair with the Internet. Someday soon, we'll wake up and say, "Oh my God, look at all the time I've wasted online." Is this not obvious? To me, talk about a virtual community, and artificial neighborhood, and artificial life -- come on. For me, real warmth, love, and compassion come from real people, real life. "
I came across one I read sometime in the past about the Internet hype. I know you think it's a bit too late for this now, but I've seen enough of MMORPG addicts (grrr!) -- maybe this can help them:
Clifford Stoll, physicist, astronomer, and author of Silicon Snake Oil: Second Thoughts on the Information Highway said in an interview:
The future of cyberspace? Everyone says, "It's amazing" and I go "Yawn." I'm a physicist, so I don't predict the future. Lots of people in computers think because you use the World Wide Web you suddenly are a futurist who understands what tomorrow's society will be like. I cannot imagine my life 50 years fron now being spent online. Indeed, I hope my life 10 or 20 years from now will be spent with relatives. Almost as soon as I succeed in understanding and manipulating computers I'll be bored and look for more friends and neighbors. I hope I spend more time in coffee shops and less time in the Net...
I've been in the Internet since 1975, and I'm not afraid of computers. Quite the opposite. I feel our problem is a blind love affair with the Internet. Someday soon, we'll wake up and say, "Oh my God, look at all the time I've wasted online." Is this not obvious? To me, talk about a virtual community, and artificial neighborhood, and artificial life -- come on. For me, real warmth, love, and compassion come from real people, real life. "
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Comment by katyzzz
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What social life? Internet is for me.
katyzzz
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Comment by DuskDevi
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Everything in moderation.
Clifford Stoll is right...and wrong...cyberspace is inhabited by real people.
I love the Net...love the Real World more.
Thank you
DuskDevi
Comment by katyzzz
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I came back to say that I relate very much to real warmth, love and compassion from real people, real life.
But for some this is not always available, and other people in the real world can often be a real pain, so might those involved in cyberspace.
But your point was well made and beautifully expressed, I'll go for ideals over and over again and I really can live without much social life, fortunately I do have some and that means I appreciate it even more.
katyzzz
Comment by Bryn
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Comment by Marie N.
I understand what you mean. It's just that my eyes hurt so much being online all the time.(Lol.)
I just want to make sure that there are still people out there who aren't living like zombies, holed up at home, or travelling like cyborgs with their internet-enabled gadgets attached to them wherever they go. It's sickening to look at. And being in front of your computer all day hurts your health...
I'm sure you guys don't miss the point. We all want to be online as the Internet is the extension of our social lives. But like all else, there wasn't a warning in the bottle that said "Addictive" until one realizes too much internet use has taken its toll.
What I fear is too much dependence on vicarious experience (especially in simulation games). I read one story (actually there are lots of 'em) that was a bit disturbing, about an MMORPG addict who has been there and done that. . You might want to check it out for yourself, if you're into online games.
Comment by Lilla
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Good Question... yes I'm addicted, but like all addictions I think most people eventually find the balance point of moderation... I don't know that I would give this one up though....*smile* However, if its a choice between the TV and the Computer... I know which side of the couch I'll be on... at least this screen talks back to me with real voices...
Lilla...