Smart Phone Dislike

[garyk]

I have a Thai work colleague who I consider a peer (equivalent rank if you like).

He does have a most irritating habit of starting to play with his iPad during a conversation. He says he is listening, and does (usually) respond, but it's most disconcerting to talk to someone who appears disinterested to the point of ignoring you.

+1 I have a guy here I used to hang with. A Chinese fellow. We had a lot in common with photography. But EVERY time we sat down to eat or stop his apple was on and that was it. I got tired of it. Now when he asked me to go somewhere I change to subject or make up an excuse. Weird if you ask me.

Edited July 25, 2013 by garyk

[Phil Conners]

It's the way the world is going. Embrace it, or go around and be forever frustrated with life not remaining constant. When the automobile was invented people were in panic and made laws that stated someone needed to go in front of the car waving a red flag. Fortunately we got past that.

My smartphone is, among other, a lifesaver while escorting Mrs Conners on one of her shopping sprees.

As for deploying a jammer, if I enter a place where for any reason I can't get any kind of cell signal, I leave again immediately. If it is the owner jamming the signal for any reason, it's his loss. If it is a customer doing it for his own reasons, I think he better pray the owner don't find out. That could end up in tears.

[watcharacters]

I agree with you , I'm tired of staff ignoring the customer because they find their smart phone more interesting.

Cell phone/wifi jammer

How many baht?

[isawasnake]

They are becoming something of a social disease. I completely agree about them doing harm to society. People are going to forget (or never learn) how to communicate face to face or enjoy anything that isn't presented on a 5 to 10 inch screen.

The fact that parents buy these things for young children is amazing to me. It's good that I don't have young children at home anymore, because I wouldn't be very popular with them when I refuse to buy them this invasive technology.

Your just older generation face it, your parents had things to say about your generation when growing up too and it was a social disaster too.. Look how you turned out to be.. just like your parents.

These kids will grow up and their kids will do something they think is a disaster.. its a way of life.

My parents said the same thing about computers and look because I could work with them good I made nice money more then others who could not. You would not be doing your kids a service. Maybe your too old to see that ?

I hear what you are saying, but I don't agree with your argument.

Part of what you are saying is that he is behind the current times when it comes to technology. I really don't think this is the case many times. People are right up to speed with the current technology, but they simply don't feel the need to get an email 2 seconds after it was sent, when an hour or so would do. And, they don't feel it necessary to know their friend has posted another picture of his daughter immediately. It can wait! I just don't see the need or the major advantage many times. I think of it more in terms of how fast I want people to be able to contact/inform me. I just don't feel the need to have per minute updates on this stuff, but this is a to each their own kind of thing. Yet, you say this is because I am "old" or out of touch. Not at all, it is because I don't need to know about all these superficial things going on until I am dam_n good and ready, and it will be at my convenience, not theirs.

I personally think smart phone usage has reached the level of ridiculous. I do understand it helps you pass the time, and the more power to you - that's great. But, the majority of the use, and I do know this from experience (peeking over shoulders on the bts daily), is MINDLESS scrolling through facebook pages, and pages with pink kitties on them. I mean it is just totally ridiculous and absolutely absurd. My way of thinking, you can't have an idea if you are doing something mind-numbing. You can't have a clear, profound thought. I think in 100 years or so we are going to look back on this time and realize that our collective consciousness crashed. People just can't sit down, relax and do nothing anymore, and this is not a good thing. The more people think about that, I bet they will realize it's true.

Edited July 25, 2013 by isawasnake

[robblok]

They are becoming something of a social disease. I completely agree about them doing harm to society. People are going to forget (or never learn) how to communicate face to face or enjoy anything that isn't presented on a 5 to 10 inch screen.

The fact that parents buy these things for young children is amazing to me. It's good that I don't have young children at home anymore, because I wouldn't be very popular with them when I refuse to buy them this invasive technology.

Your just older generation face it, your parents had things to say about your generation when growing up too and it was a social disaster too.. Look how you turned out to be.. just like your parents.

These kids will grow up and their kids will do something they think is a disaster.. its a way of life.

My parents said the same thing about computers and look because I could work with them good I made nice money more then others who could not. You would not be doing your kids a service. Maybe your too old to see that ?

I hear what you are saying, but I don't agree with your argument.

Part of what you are saying is that he is behind the current times when it comes to technology. I really don't think this is the case many times. People are right up to speed with the current technology, but they simply don't feel the need to get an email 2 seconds after it was sent, when an hour or so would do. And, they don't feel it necessary to know their friend has posted another picture of his daughter immediately. It can wait! I just don't see the need or the major advantage many times. I think of it more in terms of how fast I want people to be able to contact/inform me. I just don't feel the need to have per minute updates on this stuff, but this is a to each their own kind of thing. Yet, you say this is because I am "old" or out of touch. Not at all, it is because I don't need to know about all these superficial things going on until I am dam_n good and ready, and it will be at my convenience, not theirs.

I personally think smart phone usage has reached the level of ridiculous. I do understand it helps you pass the time, and the more power to you - that's great. But, the majority of the use, and I do know this from experience (peeking over shoulders on the bts daily), is MINDLESS scrolling through facebook pages, and pages with pink kitties on them. I mean it is just totally ridiculous and absolutely absurd. My way of thinking, you can't have an idea if you are doing something mind-numbing. You can't have a clear, profound thought. I think in 100 years or so we are going to look back on this time and realize that our collective consciousness crashed. People just can't sit down, relax and do nothing anymore, and this is not a good thing. The more people think about that, I bet they will realize it's true.

Please enlighten me what else to do in a BTS or while waiting.. anything to kill time.

Its an information age and those who are in it will benefit those who are left behind.. you will see. Sure the mindless scrolling is bad but some of us do other things with it and make waiting time productive.

Would be nice to know the ages of people posting.. i think it would be real revealing. I am 39

Edited July 25, 2013 by robblok

[cacruden]

Personally, I hate cell phones..... but I like my smart phone.... (just don't call me on it).

Most times I only answer the phone if I know who is calling, but I actually prefer people just send me a message and I will pick it up when I get around to it. I like the dictionary I have on the phone, and the messaging - even sometimes using the web (but rarely).

Whether it is a cell phone or a smart phone it is really the people that are using it. A lot of people these days have grown up permanently connected where they have a hard time if they are not communicating with it constantly. It is that behaviour and not the device that is the problem. People nowadays are too needy for instant feedback from all there acquaintances, followers etc. (rather than just a few good friends).

[robblok]

Personally, I hate cell phones..... but I like my smart phone.... (just don't call me on it).

Most times I only answer the phone if I know who is calling, but I actually prefer people just send me a message and I will pick it up when I get around to it. I like the dictionary I have on the phone, and the messaging - even sometimes using the web (but rarely).

Whether it is a cell phone or a smart phone it is really the people that are using it. A lot of people these days have grown up permanently connected where they have a hard time if they are not communicating with it constantly. It is that behaviour and not the device that is the problem. People nowadays are too needy for instant feedback from all there acquaintances, followers etc. (rather than just a few good friends).

The phone actually allows me to leave the house more.. no need to wait for emails for business at home. I can just check it on my phone. Much better as waiting and wondering if something has come.

[isawasnake]

They are becoming something of a social disease. I completely agree about them doing harm to society. People are going to forget (or never learn) how to communicate face to face or enjoy anything that isn't presented on a 5 to 10 inch screen.

The fact that parents buy these things for young children is amazing to me. It's good that I don't have young children at home anymore, because I wouldn't be very popular with them when I refuse to buy them this invasive technology.

Your just older generation face it, your parents had things to say about your generation when growing up too and it was a social disaster too.. Look how you turned out to be.. just like your parents.

These kids will grow up and their kids will do something they think is a disaster.. its a way of life.

My parents said the same thing about computers and look because I could work with them good I made nice money more then others who could not. You would not be doing your kids a service. Maybe your too old to see that ?

I hear what you are saying, but I don't agree with your argument.

Part of what you are saying is that he is behind the current times when it comes to technology. I really don't think this is the case many times. People are right up to speed with the current technology, but they simply don't feel the need to get an email 2 seconds after it was sent, when an hour or so would do. And, they don't feel it necessary to know their friend has posted another picture of his daughter immediately. It can wait! I just don't see the need or the major advantage many times. I think of it more in terms of how fast I want people to be able to contact/inform me. I just don't feel the need to have per minute updates on this stuff, but this is a to each their own kind of thing. Yet, you say this is because I am "old" or out of touch. Not at all, it is because I don't need to know about all these superficial things going on until I am dam_n good and ready, and it will be at my convenience, not theirs.

I personally think smart phone usage has reached the level of ridiculous. I do understand it helps you pass the time, and the more power to you - that's great. But, the majority of the use, and I do know this from experience (peeking over shoulders on the bts daily), is MINDLESS scrolling through facebook pages, and pages with pink kitties on them. I mean it is just totally ridiculous and absolutely absurd. My way of thinking, you can't have an idea if you are doing something mind-numbing. You can't have a clear, profound thought. I think in 100 years or so we are going to look back on this time and realize that our collective consciousness crashed. People just can't sit down, relax and do nothing anymore, and this is not a good thing. The more people think about that, I bet they will realize it's true.

Please enlighten me what else to do in a BTS or while waiting.. anything to kill time.

Its an information age and those who are in it will benefit those who are left behind.. you will see. Sure the mindless scrolling is bad but some of us do other things with it and make waiting time productive.

Would be nice to know the ages of people posting.. i think it would be real revealing. I am 39

Well, if people are following our conversation, I think your question is very revealing in this context. As I mentioned, if you have some spare time, exercising your brain and thinking about ideas/solutions is always a good start. As you are pointing out, people can't seem to cope with (seemingly) doing nothing nowadays. Using our brains is becoming a passing fad. Confused about that? Yes, maybe that is the point. Alternatively, how about looking at women?! Or, how about a conversation! Ever heard of one of those? That should get you started if you ever get stuck without your "smart" phone and need to "kill time" when there is supposedly nothing to do. I have just never had anybody unknowingly prove my own points like this before. "What is there to do in this world in public without a smart phone" is your obtuse synthesis.

I said I think it is great you kill time with your phone anyway. Not ideal in my estimation, but to each their own. My point was you are wrong if you think the reason people don't use "smart" phones is because they are old or out of touch. Many people don't use these phones because they don't want to be slaves to other people's every beckon. Or because they don't want to be slaves to the internet when there is a world out there to see.

Edited July 25, 2013 by isawasnake

[robblok]

Well, if people are following our conversation, I think your question is very revealing in this context. As I mentioned, if you have some spare time, exercising your brain and thinking about ideas/solutions is always a good start. As you are pointing out, people can't seem to cope with (seemingly) doing nothing nowadays. Using our brains is becoming a passing fad. Confused about that? Yes, maybe that is the point. Alternatively, how about looking at women?! Or, how about a conversation! Ever heard of one of those? That should get you started if you ever get stuck without your "smart" phone and need to "kill time" when there is supposedly nothing to do. I have just never had anybody unknowingly prove my own points like this before. "What is there to do in this world in public without a smart phone" is your obtuse synthesis.

I said I think it is great you kill time with your phone anyway. Not ideal in my estimation, but to each their own. My point was you are wrong if you think the reason people don't use "smart" phones is because they are old or out of touch. Many people don't use these phones because they don't want to be slaves to other people's every beckon. Or because they don't want to be slaves to the internet when there is a world out there to see.

Conversation on the BTS is not real likely, looking at woman, im not that needy they are everywhere. I prefer to read up on things and learn new stuff. My brain is constantly getting imput and I just hate wasting time. With a smartphone you got a world of information there to look into new things to learn and read. Of course I agree the majority uses it for facebook.

You still haven't told me your age, i think its telling me that I was right but you keep it hidden to not loose the argument.

I have resisted getting a smartphone till 2 years ago ( i seldom get called actually and always forgot my phone). But now that I got one I am quite happy with it, its big enough to read stuff and to look up stuff. When i go shopping for something I can look up pictures and stuff or go through a picture I took of the product and show the staff. He possibilities with a smartphone are endless you just have to use it for more then looking facebook.

[garyk]

I personally think it is pretty normal. I am getting older and just don't want to be bother with such things now. Where when i was younger i loved all the new gear. With a pretty heavy computer background. It would be very easy for me and imagine most older folks to get up to speed on the new gadgets. I personally just do not want to. As far as being left behind. I enjoy getting older and enjoy doing what I damn well please. For me it just does not include a smart phone what so ever. I do have tablet for reading. A good computer for photo editing. So, technically not a challenge, just not a priority in the least. 61 year old. I see nothing wrong with them however.