[1_Rain_Drop]

"“People are becoming more and more remote … We are becoming robots. It is this lack of humanity.” …"

I agree with Anne.

I was at the doctor's office. EVERYONE was staring at their tiny screen with just their thumbs moving. Yup,robots.

I brought a book. I feel so dated.

I think this computerized age is hard on the old timers. I know it's difficult for me.

Cellphones should never been allowed to go further than being a phone.

[Rome2000]

Simpletons are easy to spot these days, thanks to the cell phone

Don’t worry about what the idiots around you are doing and concentrate on the important things like family and philanthropy .

[flaglady47]

“I think this computerized age is hard on the old timers. I know it’s difficult for me.
Cellphones should never been allowed to go further than being a phone.”

I hear you, however you do realize you wouldn’t be on Free Republic if it weren’t for the computerized age. In fact there would be no Free Republic. Plus you sell yourself short. Obviously you were able to master the computer enough to be on FR at any time of your choosing.

As to cellphones. Parents with children in school are very happy that cellphones can now be used to send text messages on them, as they can keep track of their school age children on them, and not have to worry so much as to their whereabouts or safety. When stuck waiting in doctors’ offices (and with Obamacare that wait could indeed lengthen) you can pull out your iphone or tablet and settle in to checking out FR or otherwise surf the web or read a book or magazine online or do bills, or play a game or watch a movie.

Years ago we couldn’t have imagined a microwave oven, now we can’t easily live without them. My mom claimed she never wanted a microwave, until she was given one, and then she was hooked. Technology advances, and I am in general delighted with it.

No one writes letters anymore; however, I maintain more people are writing now than ever before in history because of the internet, IM’s and e-mails that have made the U.S. Post Office almost obsolete. I can send messages back and forth at whim to friends overseas at the speed of the send button, and those in the military can keep in constant contact with their loved ones via e-mails and visually through Skype. Imagine that. Napoleon couldn’t do that, lol.

There are good aspects and bad ones to most anything in life, the yin and the yang. I guess you just roll with the punches on the bad things and thrive amongst the good. I for one prefer to see the good in today’s world of communication, even though occasionally its darker side gains some ascendancy. I just wouldn’t go back to the days of yore (except for in Hollywood acting) thinking that those days were so much better. In some ways yes, in many more ways, no.

To each its season, t’is the computer age, and believe me, existing in it is no reason on God’s great earth to decide to take an overdose of barbituates to end one’s life. That is the coward’s way out. Even if the woman ended up in a nursing home, she could have had friends there and social activities and some meaningful interactions. And nursing homes aren’t prisons; friends can come over and family and friends can take their loved ones out for visits. Granted, growing older, with its associated aches and pains isn’t necessarily a bowl full of cherries, but it still has its plusses, and it sure beats the alternative. Life is what you make of it; make lemonade.

[MacMattico]

I used to be “remote” as a kid because I'd be reading a good book I didn't want to put down.

Anne was 89. In good health for that age. She should have been counseled or treated for depression not allowed to ship herself off to be euthanized because people like Facebook.

[liberalh8ter]

I agree with you and I think there's more to it. People get on the Internet and make rude comments to others because of their anonymity but I believe that has become habit because I see people who are unbelievably rude to each other.

[Mister Da]

Just wait until “smartphones” are embedded in your head, a prospect not far off.

Ultimately, you could have several processes directing your body while you think of or do other things. The computer can handle the mundane tasks of walking, driving, shopping, personal security, your job ..... You could be completely unaware of where you are or what your body is doing. Your body will seem robotic in NYC as your mind skis in Colorado.

[Ditter]

I can't stand to be separated from my phone but it is an old flip phone and it rarely comes out of my pocket. I know what you mean about everyone looking down at their smart phones all the time. I stop my car at a red light and in the car next to me the person is usually texting. Pathetic.

[dmz]

Cellphones should never been allowed to go further than being a phone.

<><><><<

I don’t even know what that means, but you cannot really mean that someone (the government?) should be putting limits on the advancement of technology.

I know more than a few octogenerians who are technology whiz kids.

[Larry Lucido]

I was at the doctor's office. EVERYONE was staring at their tiny screen with just their thumbs moving. Yup,robots.

I brought a book. I feel so dated.

Ever hear of Kindle? I have it on my phone and read books on it. I might have been one of those "robots" of whom you speak. Hell, I might have been reading FreeRepublic (pissing off any liberals of any age). I used to bring books, too. My handheld serves that purpose nicely.

I think this computerized age is hard on the old timers. I know it's difficult for me.

Cellphones should never been allowed to go further than being a phone.

Then it would have been difficult for you and everybody else (your doc and staff may very well exchange important alerts via handheld devices).

Your age, whatever it is, is no excuse for violating the Biblical injunction against bearing false witness.

I'm just glad you weren't around to arbitrarily stop the age of digital computing prior to the advent of the Colossus codebreaker.