http://bs2sense.com/life-before-there-were-cell-phones-and-facebook-the-dark-ages/ Blogging at the Velocity of Life Thu, 22 Sep 2011 05:30:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://bs2sense.com/life-before-there-were-cell-phones-and-facebook-the-dark-ages/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Lisa Frazier Thu, 22 Sep 2011 05:30:08 +0000 http://bs2sense.com/?p=98#comment-49 I enjoyed reading your blog. I reflect on the topic often, and wonder if life is actually better as a result of our technological advances. I mostly think about it as I walk the hallway of the community college where I teach, and watch as most students are occupied with their devices. I miss the days when I was in college- we'd actually talk with one another while waiting outside our classrooms. I miss the simplicity, the demands, all those opportunities we had to develop patience. I've always considered myself somewhat progressive- but now (at 48) I'm realizing I'm nostalgic. Mostly, I miss reality- the real, tangibility that the past held. In the past, we actually had rules and boundaries- phones were connected to walls, with cords, and if someone called during dinner time, there was an unstated understanding that whoever it was on the other end of the line- must either be in a state of emergency- or someone rude- because 'who would call during dinner?' Now, I hear stories from my students who return 'texts' while showering. There are no boundaries and we are readily losing the generation(s) who held them, who know what they were. Now, there is no waiting; no editing; and a stream of consciousness that lacks consciousness. Reality will probably only become more and more blurred and unreal as technology advances. The crappy unraveling tape of the 8 track or cassette evoked emotion because a lot of choice was invested. Nowadays, there's less disappointment; everything is at our fingertips- waiting- are you kidding me? Who has time for that? But the waiting we experienced in the past was full of anticipation- and fulfillment. Yes, you had to wait for a response to a letter. But what you eventually received was well worth it. Surprisingly, it would arrive in your mailbox. Handwritten expression- personal and tangible- save worthy would present itself to you softly. And, in leisure or excitement- that letter gave time and choice- it didn't demand an immediate response- it respected your privacy and timing. Mostly, it wasn't one of 100 others that you might have received that day. It was special and meaningful. I guess I feel like technology is stealing meaningfulness- the personal- the - in person - from our lives. I enjoyed reading your blog. I reflect on the topic often, and wonder if life is actually better as a result of our technological advances. I mostly think about it as I walk the hallway of the community college where I teach, and watch as most students are occupied with their devices. I miss the days when I was in college- we’d actually talk with one another while waiting outside our classrooms. I miss the simplicity, the demands, all those opportunities we had to develop patience. I’ve always considered myself somewhat progressive- but now (at 48) I’m realizing I’m nostalgic. Mostly, I miss reality- the real, tangibility that the past held.
In the past, we actually had rules and boundaries- phones were connected to walls, with cords, and if someone called during dinner time, there was an unstated understanding that whoever it was on the other end of the line- must either be in a state of emergency- or someone rude- because ‘who would call during dinner?’ Now, I hear stories from my students who return ‘texts’ while showering. There are no boundaries and we are readily losing the generation(s) who held them, who know what they were.
Now, there is no waiting; no editing; and a stream of consciousness that lacks consciousness. Reality will probably only become more and more blurred and unreal as technology advances. The crappy unraveling tape of the 8 track or cassette evoked emotion because a lot of choice was invested. Nowadays, there’s less disappointment; everything is at our fingertips- waiting- are you kidding me? Who has time for that? But the waiting we experienced in the past was full of anticipation- and fulfillment. Yes, you had to wait for a response to a letter. But what you eventually received was well worth it. Surprisingly, it would arrive in your mailbox. Handwritten expression- personal and tangible- save worthy would present itself to you softly. And, in leisure or excitement- that letter gave time and choice- it didn’t demand an immediate response- it respected your privacy and timing. Mostly, it wasn’t one of 100 others that you might have received that day. It was special and meaningful. I guess I feel like technology is stealing meaningfulness- the personal- the – in person – from our lives.

]]> http://bs2sense.com/life-before-there-were-cell-phones-and-facebook-the-dark-ages/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Arcadia Rink Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:44:37 +0000 http://bs2sense.com/?p=98#comment-47 I loved your post and, yes, I am at the age where I can totally relate to every last section. I think you should write a book about this subject. I enjoyed going back to the past and remembering the era. I loved your post and, yes, I am at the age where I can totally relate to every last section. I think you should write a book about this subject. I enjoyed going back to the past and remembering the era.

]]> http://bs2sense.com/life-before-there-were-cell-phones-and-facebook-the-dark-ages/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Judilyn Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:02:14 +0000 http://bs2sense.com/?p=98#comment-20 My brother is brillant... you are so right! Sometimes I miss the way things used to be. My brother is brillant… you are so right! Sometimes I miss the way things used to be.

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