A recent article highlighted the fact that among youth today, if they are not awake or in school, they are looking at a screen or consuming media. Why is this a problem? Well, starting at a glowing screen can really lead to obesity (yes, I watched a lot of TV and computers as a youth, and I am obese) and it really does not help your interaction with the real world. I think a big problem will be when the kids who are used to being to text, type, view all the time try go without is going to be a very hard adjustment. When you ‘go out’ now, you are really not disconnected from anything, to the point that you may physically be somewhere, but mentally, you are connected to cyberspace.
In my best old man voice: When I was a kid, when you went out, you were out. You really, truly were disconnected from the digital world. Heck, there barely was a digital world. If your phone rang, it was back in your house, and you had to come home to your answering machine. If you wanted to make a phone call on the road, you had to find a pay phone and hope you had some change. If you had the honor of having e-mail via a BBS or Quantum link, you had to go home, dial in, and check it. There was no world wide web. If you wanted to research a paper, you had to go the library and look at paper books or encyclopedias. If you wanted news, you had to wait until 6 or 10 o’clock at night or wait for the morning paper. Was it better back then? I don’t know. I know it was a lot simpler. Now, I can barely buy a phone without a data plan.
I think being really disconnected from time to time really separates my generation from the one currently going through the school systems of this fine nation. It is going to be a hell of a culture shock when the kids have to work for the Gen X’ers who will be ruling (and are ruling) the corporate world. Yes, we saw the digital age be born, but we also know what is still important. Face time. Real, adult verbal communication with controlled body language, neat clothes, and a firm handshake. Guess what kids, my parents and grandparents did it this way, and I don’t think it is going to change. That iPhone, Blackberry, etc. turn it off or you are going to lose your job. When you are at work, they expect you to work (most of the time.) I accept the fact everyone goofs off, but with the super connectedness of this world, it is almost constant.
Do I want to go back to the way things were? No, but there needs to be a happy medium, or today’s youth is going to be really messed up. I know I have to work at not being on a computer or screen every day. As soon as I turn off the screens and just talk, play, build, or read a book, I am so much happier. There are things I like, but things that I hate. I like the safety of a cell phone, but I hate how I can’t really get away from it, unless I turn it off or leave it at home. I like how we have a world of information at our fingertips, but I hate all the distractions of being on-line. As a bit of retroness, I am using my netbook like an old fashioned world processor, since I purposely disconnect it from the Internet when I write blog entries. I type with no distractions. This whole post took less than 15 minutes to type, with proofreading, since I have no distractions. I refuse to get a smart phone unless I have no choice. What I really want is a cell phone with some decent voice and long battery life, but unless I stick with my ‘grandpa’ phone, I will not get that in a new phone. I love my GPS, but I still know how to read maps and use a compass or the sun and street numbers.
In the end, I am sure some youth will turn out fine, but I think they will not be as happy as the generation before for many reasons. I know I will work as hard as I can teach Glenn the importance of learning of how to fix things and building things. The importance of being outside and enjoying nature. The importance of the warmth of the sun against your face and the bite of the air on a cold winter’s day. The importance of knowing the value of money and the how hard it can be to earn. The importance of simplicity and enjoying what you have. Kids brought up this way will be the achievers. The ones who do nothing but stare at screens will ask you if you want fries with that or will be living in their parents’ basement until they are 45.
If you don’t agree with what I have to say, too bad. It’s my blog and you don’t pay the bill for it, I do. 
More layoffs
More layoffs at work last week. They let go of I would say about another 20% of the people. Total for the year, 26% is my best guess. Orders are down about that much so far, but leveling off at 25% less than lass year. European automotive market is in the toilet, domestic manufacturing and construction, ditto. For now, I am still hanging on. I must say, this is about the worst I have ever seen the economy, first hand. Stores are still somewhat busy, but, remember, many stores went out of business. Linens n’ Things, Circuit City, Tweeter, and countless local businesses are out.
On a personal note, Glenn is being very challenging, but, he is two going on three. He is talking more. I think he can talk a lot better than he lets on. He loves watching people play driving games like Burnout and Mario Kart. I am looking forward to the weekend. After a week o computers, technology, and electronics at work, it is nice to touch things that don’t use electricity, like the Glenn Monster, Wifey, and a good book (on paper).
Posted by admin on May 8, 2009 in Family, General Comments
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