[Josy]

People spend so much time on their computers, playing video games, visiting web sites etc it seems that they are becoming more isolated instead of socializing with actual people, there is no denying computers are useful but do we rely on them too much these days?

[Pyramid*]

Yes. And No!

for example. At work: in pre pc internet connected days, pre email etc: when fax machines were still in their infancy and we relied on snail mail...... no one would have been expected to receive 300 or so letters a day and be expected to read/file/reply to all of them and still do a 9 hour shift amongst it all.

Overall though: it's pros def outweigh its cons: for online shopping for everything: holidays, groceries, clothes, gifts, saving monies not buying newspapers, and of course: this type of thing where we can sit in the comfort of our homes and never quite feeling alone even if we are on our own.

[Vanessa]

I'm always on my laptop! I'd be lost without it!

[Marc]

I think "I'll just google it.." and "I'll YouTube it" are becoming common phrases among people nowadays. It's just so useful to people and so easy to find out information

[Josy]

Yeah I agree that they are great for things like work, shopping etc but I think it's making people lazy and some really do take it too far with how much they depend on them, lots of people I know prefer to use facebook for most of their communications these days, instead of picking up the phone or actually meeting up with people in person.

Something else along the same lines that I find to be really annoying is how attached people have become to mobiles, I do use a mobile but I don't have it turned on and in my hand 24/7, I was having an important conversation with my sister the other day and her phone beeped so straight away she stopped speaking, removed it from her pocket and done something on it (in the middle of our conversation) then she said oh I was just replying to someone on facebook and I was thinking to myself what an ignorant bitch.

[Marc]

Facebook is cheaper than mobiles or landline calls, I mean especially overseas, that's a given.

But yeah that stopping mid conversation is rude

[Black Dagger]

I think I depend on my computer far more than I should do, like if it ever cut-off and I couldn't get online for days I'd be like OMG

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Josy

Yeah I agree that they are great for things like work, shopping etc but I think it's making people lazy and some really do take it too far with how much they depend on them, lots of people I know prefer to use facebook for most of their communications these days, instead of picking up the phone or actually meeting up with people in person.

Something else along the same lines that I find to be really annoying is how attached people have become to mobiles, I do use a mobile but I don't have it turned on and in my hand 24/7, I was having an important conversation with my sister the other day and her phone beeped so straight away she stopped speaking, removed it from her pocket and done something on it (in the middle of our conversation) then she said oh I was just replying to someone on facebook and I was thinking to myself what an ignorant bitch.

I agree a zillion times over with what you have said.

With my personal real life friends: we tend to meet in person, or phone rather than text - we rarely use email or facebook - and when we do, it's when we are sharing holiday pics or something.

As far as socialising: I am with people about 10 or so hours a day - at least 5 days a week - people that not only are work colleagues but those I consider good friends: so am in contact by phone or person - so coming home is a relaxer for me in a way.

Personal mobile phone use is restricted in work - I impose that because far as I'm concerned: people are there to work. All social sites are banned and there are checks carried out for the 'unblocker' sites.

I really cannot stand seeing people who cannot function without having their mobile all the time. I've even interviewed people lately - who have sat there with the mobile in their hand - and the minute I look away, when I look back: there they are texting. That's a file 13 job.

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Josy

I was having an important conversation with my sister the other day and her phone beeped so straight away she stopped speaking, removed it from her pocket and done something on it (in the middle of our conversation) then she said oh I was just replying to someone on facebook and I was thinking to myself what an ignorant bitch.

Originally Posted by Marc

But yeah that stopping mid conversation is rude

I agree - and, if someone does that to me, I just walk off .....

[Marc]

I would die without my computer.

Die of boredom

[Me. I Am Salman]

I love going on the web but I don't ever shop online, find it tedious. Going outside and shopping is much more enjoyable.

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Salman!

I love going on the web but I don't ever shop online, find it tedious. Going outside and shopping is much more enjoyable.

Yes, i agree. I need to see what i'm buying!

[Niall]

I one sense the dependence on them can be a good ting. As other people have said, they're great for talking to people overseas. I know that because without the Internet and computers, I wouldn't be able to Skype my mum who lives in Ireland. Instead I'd have to call her over conventional phones, which would cost me craploads of money for sure. The whole information aspect is another great thing about them too, not just for things like research for school or something, but things like music. 70% of the music I listen to was something I discovered over the Internet. Dependence on them isn't necessarilly bad..

Saying that though, I'm terribly dependent in computers. I use my laptop for most of the day when I'm at home which probably isn't good.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Salman!

I love going on the web but I don't ever shop online, find it tedious. Going outside and shopping is much more enjoyable.

How often do you do a full grocery shop? Believe me: online ordering and getting it all delivered to your doorstep is a bloody godsend - especially for the full time working person.

[Ammi]

..when I was in my teens we didn't have computers but I still don't recall that I socialised very much..I would just be in my bedroom listening to music..now people can communicate on the internet..I know it's not 'face to face' communication but it's more than I ever did

[MTVN]

Hmm I can go fine without my laptop when I'm away on holiday and stuff and I don't miss it but during a normal day I die of boredom if I don't have internet access, but then considering we do have this technology now at our disposal it makes sense to use it. Like Ammi said it is still a form of communication, and communication is something which is always evolving; only about 30 years or so ago it was inconceivable to be able to talk to people and phone them on the go with mobile phones but it's the norm now. And like Pyramid said it brings so much more convenience, and with all the other benefits people have listed I agree that the pros definitely outweigh the cons

[King Gizzard]

Yes

[InOne]

I am yes, but I think if I was out the enviroment I was in I wouldn't bother too much.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Hmm I can go fine without my laptop when I'm away on holiday and stuff and I don't miss it but during a normal day I die of boredom if I don't have internet access, but then considering we do have this technology now at our disposal it makes sense to use it. Like Ammi said it is still a form of communication, and communication is something which is always evolving; only about 30 years or so ago it was inconceivable to be able to talk to people and phone them on the go with mobile phones but it's the norm now. And like Pyramid said it brings so much more convenience, and with all the other benefits people have listed I agree that the pros definitely outweigh the cons

True. I think the problem is that many people do not understand (or respect) the nature of true real live social skills because of the heavy reliance on internet communications. I think that is possibly 'where' Josy was coming from - that people do not realise what is rude behaviour as in the example she gave.

Social skills and human real life interraction skills - not being able to recognise body language etc is all lost on the internet - yet are very basic but highly important in human interraction in real life situations.

On that level: yes, I feel the human race (to a large extent) is regressing.

How many people on here and other such places for example: rarely go out and meet people in real life on a daily basis for any length of time, are able to interract with them, and are developing anxiety disorders / social phobias - because they are more heavily reliant on 'talking' to people via a computer screen. I might be wrong, but I think that's possibly the angle Josy was coming from.

[Patrick]

This sounds like some silly Loose Women debate.
Welcome to the future, embrace it.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Patrick

This sounds like some silly Loose Women debate.
Welcome to the future, embrace it.

One that you've elected to join in.

Welcome to the world as we know it Patrick.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Josy

People spend so much time on their computers, playing video games, visiting web sites etc it seems that they are becoming more isolated instead of socializing with actual people, there is no denying computers are useful but do we rely on them too much these days?

But look at Spunky Shaun
he has met members.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Patrick

This sounds like some silly Loose Women debate.
Welcome to the future, embrace it.

Yes, Infact,
they have had the Same Debate.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by arista

But look at Spunky Shaun
he has met members.

And where did they go to socialise? The Bingo !!

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by arista

Yes, Infact,
they have had the Same Debate.