When smart technology is dumb

wnd.com ^ | 7/11/2014 | Patrice Lewis

[rktman]

OK, I confess: I’m a Luddite.

What’s a Luddite? For those who have smartphones, you can look it up. For those who don’t, I’ll tell you.

Luddites (purportedly named after a Mr. Ludd) were a loosely organized English saboteur group in the early 1800s who objected to the increasing use of manufacturing machinery on the grounds that it would put many artisans out of work. They went around smashing the offensive machines in hopes that people would understand the economic impact of mechanization on cottage industries.

In modern parlance, Luddites are those who resist embracing the latest whiz-bang technology and long for the old-fashioned way of doing things. Urban Dictionary rather sardonically defines a Luddite as “One who fears technology (or new technology, as they seem pleased with how things currently are … why can’t everything just be the same?).”

That’s me.

[rktman]

Dependent class? I know what Ms. Lewis is talking about and like all things, moderation is the key to being/becoming well rounded. Like most of our moms used to tell us "Go outside and play!" How many hours did you spend finding ways(some not quite so safe either) to entertain yourself without your Iphone, tablet, kindle, whatever? Can you still occupy your time without these things? What happens when the power goes out?

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Like most of our moms used to tell us "Go outside and play!"

How well I remember this! Mom would say, "Go out and play!" And I'd say, "But there's no one to play with!" To which she'd reply, "Play with yourself!" And away I'd go.

[cripplecreek]

Finally!

[Truth29]

A child now sent outside is suspicious to the government drones and the parent will likely be reported to Child Protective Services.

[MulberryDraw]

An awful lot of smart stuff is available through those dumb phones. The user’s just have to make the appropriate selections.

[rktman]

Yup. Everything was all hunkey dorey with Mr. Meredith until he busted his glasses. And not an optician to be found. I remember the episode well and foresaw the ending pretty easily.

[rktman]

Like I said, moderation. I’ve seen young skulls full of mush at UNR push the HAZ lights for the ped-x crossing and are so busy looking at their texts or texting, step on out without even bothering to look up to make sure the flashing lights have been seen by approaching traffic and that they are indeed stopping. Or they are searching for something on Pandora and have their ear buds turned up so loud that they couldn’t hear a car horn or approaching traffic.

[Mark17]

Didn’t his glasses break?

[cripplecreek]

Yeah but he could have gotten by without them if he found more glasses or even a magnifying glass.

[Nowhere Man]

Like I said, moderation. I’ve seen young skulls full of mush at UNR push the HAZ lights for the ped-x crossing and are so busy looking at their texts or texting, step on out without even bothering to look up to make sure the flashing lights have been seen by approaching traffic and that they are indeed stopping. Or they are searching for something on Pandora and have their ear buds turned up so loud that they couldn’t hear a car horn or approaching traffic.

I've seen the consequences of that personally. Mom and I went to see my aunt in Round Rock, Texas, near Austin and we were walking around my aunt's neighborhood in the early evening. We heard a crash and a scream, a boy riding a bike was struck by a car and we went to help him until the ambulance arrived. The kid did not hear the car coming, he had his Walkman headphones cranked up (this was 1989) so he was not aware of his surroundings. My father always said to "be aware of what's around you," but I think he learned that when he was stationed near the 38th Parallel at Camp Casey in Korea back in 1955.

[Mark17]

Yeah but he could have gotten by without them if he found more glasses or even a magnifying glass.

Yes, but then that episode of Twilight Zone, would not have worked out the way Rod Serling wanted it to.

[Uri’el-2012]

saboteur

Interesting word.

Weren't these Dutch people who placed their
wooden shoes (sabot) into gears of machinery ?