I’m glad to see a fellow Neo-Luddite dish out a new reality check tonight at Cracked.
It’s been a while too since I’ve read a word of caution with such clarity for the times.
I consider my own 23-year obsession with media and technology and wonder if all the changes have been for the better too?
The article by David Wong was actually titled, 7 Reasons the 21st century is making you miserable and in a way, it’s much more applicable.
However, much of the list involves the Internet and is a must-read for anyone whose life is waning on the outside of your computer terminal.
Here’s the short list – but you have to read it all to really appreciate some important considerations.
#1. We don’t have enough annoying strangers in our lives.
– The author states we need them – they build character, but the Net/tech is a great filter.
#2. We don’t have enough annoying friends, either.
– Annoying friends sharpen our skills socially.
#3. Texting is a shitty way to communicate.
40% of email is misunderstood. That’s a fascinating claim.
#4. Online company only makes us lonelier.
I agree with this one.
When someone speaks to you face-to-face, what percentage of the meaning is actually in the words, as opposed to the body language and tone of voice? Take a guess.
It’s 7 percent. The other 93 percent is nonverbal, according to studies
.
#5. We don’t get criticized enough.
– Oh, this one strikes hard. What would the world do if we practiced more helpful criticism – brutal honesty has saved the world from plenty of absurdities.
#6. We’re victims of the Outrage Machine.
– The plague of a desensitized culture.
#7. We feel worthless, because we actually are worth less.
– Sounds a bit too existential for my mid-forties, but still a good closer.