automated society

[JCShutout]

All this extra tech is expensive. I was able to take a 50% pay cut to get into a field I love because I don't spend money on gps, smart phones, tablets, mp3 players, etc, or on the data plans/cost of rebuying e-books and media, etc. Would they be convenient and fun? Sure, but I have a lot of fun without them. I have a ton of books, and I have access to the library system.

In the past few years I just got sick of being constantly plugged in and stopped checking email all the time (every day for work, but once or twice a week for personal), I hardly ever answer when someone other than my wife calls. I just make a note to call them back when I feel like it. (Important for introverts)

On the other hand, newer technology allows me to pay way less for internet tv than I would with cable. I just live with not watching the newest shows. I'll see em in a few years. Its not a big deal, especially for $4-5/month.

Knowing how to work with non-power tools allowed me to organize volunteers to do repairs and beautification on 20 homes in south county this summer with a $1200 supplies budget, half of which was spent on paint. Technology on the other hand (hello internet) allowed someone with my skill level to organize and give instructions on a wide variety of repair work, some of which I hadn't actually ever done.

Useful and affordable technology can be amazing, but technology for the sake of technology is, for me, an unnecessary expense.

[jim]

JC has a handle on it imo.

[lukethedrifter]

For me a huge plus of being connected to the web, whether on the phone or not, is access to relevant work information. It's incredible how helpful that has been over the last few years. The importance of that access is directly related to how poor of a job my employer does at providing information. That and the fact that we just quit using carbon paper a couple of years ago.

[JackofDiamonds]

Not all of us are introverts.

[ghostrunner]

I'm not sure if introversion is a factor or not, in terms of how you use technology. It got me thinking though. I'm definitely an introvert, at least in terms of one to one conversation. I've been pretty unsocial (i dont think anti is the right prefix for me) my entire adult life. I don't do well meeting strangers or at parties because I find it difficult to make the leap from having no idea who a person is to an interesting conversation. It can take me months or even years to feel comfortable and loose around others. This predates smartphones or computers by many years. If anything I'd say places like this or Reddit or (to a lesser extent Facebook) have enabled me to socialize in a way I never did before. And I feel like my socialization quota is more or less satisfied. In fact more so, because the things we discuss here are often much more interesting than anything I discuss with my co-workers or other casual acquaintances. I suppose some might find that sad, and I might have agreed at one point but I've gotten over that hump. I think you could even say that technology has helped me in the way it helps a handicapped person.

[jim]

I'm probably on the extroverted side. This is the only social site I participate in. I've tried facebook for about 6 monhts and linked in for about 2 weeks (that I really don't get), and for me it was just more trouble than it was worth. The crap to good stuff ratio was at least 2:1, if not more. Simple solution to that ...

I have to say I have noticed a relationship between technology and the personality. The more technology a person uses, the weirder they are. That's been my perception.

[/youtube]

[Radbird]

I'm not sure if introversion is a factor or not, in terms of how you use technology. It got me thinking though. I'm definitely an introvert, at least in terms of one to one conversation. I've been pretty unsocial (i dont think anti is the right prefix for me) my entire adult life. I don't do well meeting strangers or at parties because I find it difficult to make the leap from having no idea who a person is to an interesting conversation. It can take me months or even years to feel comfortable and loose around others. This predates smartphones or computers by many years. If anything I'd say places like this or Reddit or (to a lesser extent Facebook) have enabled me to socialize in a way I never did before. And I feel like my socialization quota is more or less satisfied. In fact more so, because the things we discuss here are often much more interesting than anything I discuss with my co-workers or other casual acquaintances. I suppose some might find that sad, and I might have agreed at one point but I've gotten over that hump. I think you could even say that technology has helped me in the way it helps a handicapped person.

So does that mean you're not coming to Happy Hour on Weds?

Seriously, I've had those same tendencies, ghost. It would totally depend on the situation. The few times I've met up with GRBers, it's been great because of our virtual relationship. And since most of my coworkers are now virtual, I've enjoyed it when I've been able to meet some of those folks too. I do much better than I used to w complete strangers - that seems to be, for me anyway, a function of age. I'm more comfortable with who I am than when I was younger (and frankly part of that is no longer giving a [expletive] what people think of me anymore).

[ghostrunner]

I'm not sure if introversion is a factor or not, in terms of how you use technology. It got me thinking though. I'm definitely an introvert, at least in terms of one to one conversation. I've been pretty unsocial (i dont think anti is the right prefix for me) my entire adult life. I don't do well meeting strangers or at parties because I find it difficult to make the leap from having no idea who a person is to an interesting conversation. It can take me months or even years to feel comfortable and loose around others. This predates smartphones or computers by many years. If anything I'd say places like this or Reddit or (to a lesser extent Facebook) have enabled me to socialize in a way I never did before. And I feel like my socialization quota is more or less satisfied. In fact more so, because the things we discuss here are often much more interesting than anything I discuss with my co-workers or other casual acquaintances. I suppose some might find that sad, and I might have agreed at one point but I've gotten over that hump. I think you could even say that technology has helped me in the way it helps a handicapped person.

So does that mean you're not coming to Happy Hour on Weds?

Seriously, I've had those same tendencies, ghost. It would totally depend on the situation. The few times I've met up with GRBers, it's been great because of our virtual relationship. And since most of my coworkers are now virtual, I've enjoyed it when I've been able to meet some of those folks too. I do much better than I used to w complete strangers - that seems to be, for me anyway, a function of age. I'm more comfortable with who I am than when I was younger (and frankly part of that is no longer giving a [expletive] what people think of me anymore).

The one time I met up with everyone there was the same. It's a little weird to have faces to screennames at first, but I felt totally fine. I don't recall if I spoke much, but there wasn't that usual self-consciousness worrying about what to talk about.

[jim]

Everyone I've met in person from here was a [expletive] weirdo.

[M1IRONMIKE]

Everyone I've met in person from here was a [expletive] weirdo.

Not me