DJM1740

Technology and the Internet can (and does) bring people together in positive ways. My son gets to play his favorite games with his friends even though we moved and he doesn't see them as often as he used to. Video calling used to be a piece of science fiction; now there are dozens of ways to video chat with faraway friends and family. That's all great and I'm glad we can do that. 

But while technology can facilitate human interaction, we can't let technology SUBSTITUTE for human interaction. That gives me arctic chills. When I walk into a room and everybody is staring at their phones it saddens me greatly.

(Yes I get the irony of my statement, as I sit here post-lunch typing this out on my phone.  I've been making more effort lately to lessen screen time and increase interaction time. I dunno maybe I'm just rambling now, so I'll stop here.)

It's creepy (to me) in that people are seeking affirmation from an electronic device instead of real human contact. "Social media" was the start; it claims to help "bring us together" but does the exact opposite; people communicate by that little digital talisman in their pocket even when they are in the SAME HOUSE.

 Now we have AI. Why talk to a real human who might tell you something you don't want to hear when you can get your affirmation fix from that AI chatbot?

 Remember that scene in the movie "I, Robot" when Spooner shows up at Dr Calvin's house and she's sitting on the couch watching TV with a robot?  That's what the device is shown leading towards. And that's awful. 

/oldmanmode=off