Do you guys think technology is getting out of control?

I have been reading a book by Carr and it's all about how different technologies have impacted the world, things like time and maps. The main focus is the internet. I mean I love the internet. Like love it, but do you guys believe the internet is ruling our lives. I mean it tracks almost everything we do. I know that might sound a little paranoid. And on another note how long can you read an actual book? I can only go two probably three chapters, but i can read on the web all day(at a certain point I'm just skimming). I guess what I'm asking is will there be a point when technology rules over us. I know it seems like people's smart phones own them and notifications are addictive as drugs. Please weigh in

Technology controls as much of your life as you let it. Personally, I rarely use my smartphone for anything outside of calling and messaging people. My facebook only has friends whom I keep contact with for the most part of my daily life and I'm generally doing things non-internet related on my computer when I'm at home.

I mean sure, there are probably more people like you described than people similar to me. And then there are the people who look back at how far we've gone and think "Oh shit" when they realize how different things are from even a decade before. On that note, I don't think technology is changing for the worse but I certainly think the next generation doesn't appreciate what they're born into.

The main thing is self control. I guess I'm procrastinating here on Fakku, but generally my smartphone is only used as an electronic dictionary and as a telephone.

I also make an attempt to read for at least several pages every day. It's not much, but more often than not I get hooked on the book and keep reading. I think books are much more fulfilling than most of the crap on the Internet.

In conclusion, it's not technology getting out of control; it's you.

Even today, some people are ruled over by technology. But sometimes technology is a part of their life. Like the same way a book fan says books is a part of his life but you can also sometimes notice that his hobby affects him and dictates his actions. It has still become a part of what they are.

Does technology rule over us? Well, does a tree rule over a monkey? It is in our nature to use whatever we can to ease our lives. The abuse of it is purely the person's fault

I know what you guys mean. The next gen is pretty much screwed i think. I guess as with the monkey thing one lives using the other. But technology really makes life better and worse. I love video games and etc. I also know a 12 year old kid who can dos people for a few bucks. I made this to mostly help with a paper im writing

You can be overtaken by tech but it can be controllable

How long can I read a book? I can easily read a book from beginning to end and frequently do. I'm working on the SAO light novels right now and I'm already on the 6th one...and I started yesterday. I prefer physical copies over electronic copies, but I'll grit my teeth and deal with it if I cannot get a physical copy.

As for technology getting out of control, it's not really technology that is getting out of control, it is the idiots and fearmongers that produce more and more cons.

The stronger technology gets, the weaker we become.

I guess I agree to a certain point. But is that really such a bad thing? Personally I think that technology is an amazing thing, I love it and embrace every part of it. There's risks, of course, but also great benefits.

As for how long I can keep focus on a book, it depends on the book. There's book that I struggle chapter to chapter, but there's also those that I can't put down.

As long as it doesn't become sentient and try to take over/wipe out humanity, no.

It's not "getting out of control", it's people getting out of control. Technology makes our lives easier. The addiction isn't inherent of it.

(isn't this Serious Discussion material?)

I have to say I agree with the general trend that people have in responding to this. It all boils down to the individual rather than the technology itself. If you're addicted to it then that's on you (and I mean "you" in a general sense, not any one person in particular). If you find yourself in that position step back and gain a better appreciation for the phrase, "all things in moderation". As for how long I can read a book, well for starters I read books on my computer, so that's a bit of a hybridization, and when I have a physical book if it's good enough I can't put it down until it's done (see Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World", Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" or George Orwell's "1984" as prime examples of reads I tunneled through in 1 sitting). Just relax a bit, you could even broaden your horizons by combining the two by picking up a physical book on coding, or starting a hobby out of graphic arts based in computers to engage in productive uses of the technology. The problem I see with technology is the fact that we live in a world increasingly dependent (in a symbiotic rather than parasitic way) on technology with a decreasing number of people who understand how and why it works.

Edit: Also, crowd-sourcing to a hentai site for a paper? Ballsy move my friend, ballsy move.

Technology aids idiots that would otherwise not survive in current society. On the flip side it also aids sickly people who would otherwise not survive in current society.

I completely agree with this in terms of technology within society. I enjoy my technology and have to depened on it because it is a requirement of my major and the college as well as my job (most classes and jobs now adays require you to have some form of a computer or smart device). I also depend on it because I enjoy it and it is addicting.

That being said, I still enjoy getting fresh air (I'll have a phone on me, but I make a point to turn it either to vibrating for emergencies or on slient) and to go out into society and interacting with people face to face. I also perfer physically books to online ones, though I will use the internet if I need help on a book report or a paper.

Everything is good in moderation... also, I would laugh if you used Fakku as a source in your paper.

I haven't been here in a while but I appreciate all the replies. Technology is really useful but it does make things like our brains and muscles weaker. I mean why remember something when you can Google it an infinite number of times. Or why do something by hand if there's a tool for it. I love technology but I don't want to end up like the people on Wall-e (I think that's the name), even though that probs won't happen

And I was very tempted to use you guys as my source but I did get a lot of good id eas here and I passed with a B so thanks again 🙆🙌🙌😆

Out of control of what exactly? Technology has always advanced faster than humans' maturity could adapt too in order to use properly. From the second a sword could be crafted, it was used to kill, from there, more were produced for larger scaled conflict.

Technology will always exist as a double edge sword for humanity. Technology is something meant to bring us closer together yet we, as humans, are not responsible, intelligent, or mature enough to accept differences between individuals, to which, we turn the technology against one another. And unfortunately, we are selfish enough to will the world to be shaped in our own perception of "what should and shouldn't be", regardless of the sacrifice others must accommodate for it...

With regards of ruling and being ruled, you can very much say it rules us, in the way that possessions without will can rule a persons life... Regardless, technology exist to make the human experience easier and richer (in spiritual value not physical, though physical is not exempt), so it is not surprising that humans (as if I'm not one) ~chuckle~(too pretentious >_>) flock for more.

To answer the other question, I am a highly visual and audio fixed person. I have a hard time interpreting text alone, so I have to use auditory methods to reinforce what I perceive, such as audio books or music for association in memory, otherwise, it'll be, as the saying goes, "in one ear, out the next"... but in regard to eyes... (sounds painful)

We had this thread many times before. And no i dont. I love the more and more advance we get. So many things i wish i will be alive to see.

Merp. A little i guess, advancing tech is always good, but for the love of god, please do it in a way so i dont have to replace my computer components every 8 months to stay on top of shit!