Is it just me, or are people these days becoming more and more obsessed with their cellular phones and all of the fancy services and applications available with them?Are we standing at the threshold of a new era in communication and personal entertainment, where people will literally be able to control most aspects of their daily lives with their cell phone?Technology is changing and improving our life with each passing moment at an accelerating rate.But the real question is, with many of these advancements, are they really to benefit society and enrich lives, or are they secretly destroying them in the process, whether that was the original intention or not?Take the Apple iPhone 3GS for example.I don't have one myself (too expensive for my taste), but I'll hand it to the ingenious folks at Apple for creating yet another must-have item that many people are dying to own.As long as you also have a data plan to go with it, and you shell out a few extra bucks for even more features and apps, the world is literally at your fingertips from communication to Internet access to gaming to programming the lights at your home and more!It's slick, and with new applications still being developed, we have yet to see the full potential of this incredibly advanced product.Now watch a recent commercial for this very same phone (link to video available in article at "The Rellim Zone").In the commercial we have a mom who is heading to the airport with her family.By using only the iPhone 3GS (we're under assumption that everything in the commercial is accurate, which I believe is true), this mother is able to check into their flight, find a snack bar in the terminal (complete with a ratings system), arrange for her kids to watch a movie on the iPhone, and even remotely turn off some lights at home.Is that fancy or what?I'll admit that some of those features look pretty neat.I most likely wouldn't use them myself, but the fact that they are available is impressive.But what kind of a society are we really seeing here?By using the remote check-in and having airlines switch to an automated system, we're losing more customer service positions to technology.How many customer service positions in call centers have moved overseas to India? For that matter, how many grocery store check-out clerks have been replaced by the self check-out registers? The grocery stores aren't giving you a discount when you do the work of checking out your items.I know that the airliner customer service agents aren't going anywhere yet (not that many of the financially troubled airliners couldn't lose positions here and there to try to save some money), but this part of a downward trend.As more and more people get used to using automated systems in commercial and other areas, there will be many more customer service jobs lost because of similar advances in technology.The rest of the commercial goes in line with the general dumbing down, self-centered, and entertainment-focused destruction of society.For example, the woman uses the phone to find a snack for her kids.Okay, when you're in an airport, how hard is it to find a snack stand, counter-service restaurant, or even some vending machines? Many terminals in most medium and large airports are filled with places to get a snack or meal.Major fast food franchises often have airport locations.Restaurants in airports is a huge industry.Now as far as quality and affordability, that's a different story.I could see using the phone to try to search for a particular style of food.But when it comes to just "finding a snack," open your eyes and look around as you walk to the gate.I'm sure the kids will survive if you don't find something immediately and have to *gasp* look around for a few minutes! Oh, the horror!Scavenging is a survival tool, and not being able to find something without the aid of an electronic device is a critical fault.Put away the phone and have some fun looking around and exploring the local area.You may be amazed at what you find or who you talk to along the way.The commercial then shows how the woman manages to play a movie on the iPhone to amuse the children.Yeah, movies are great when you go to the theater or watch them at home, but is it really necessary to have cars and SUVs with TVs and also have movies and shows available for viewing on the phone?Too many of today's children spend way too much time at home in front of the TV or computer, and the last thing they need is to watch more of it on the road and whenever they want to on the phone or other handheld electronic device.If you as a parent have to resort to electronics to keep children amused, then you have some serious parenting problems.Put away the phone and spend some quality time with the kids.Get them involved in hobbies that can still take place on the road and away from home.Finally, we see the same mother use the iPhone 3GS to remotely turn off some lights at home.This is part of what will ultimately become a fully automated home, complete with automated door locks and plumbing.Controlling the lights is just the beginning.Is being able to control your lights by remote handy?Sure.But what does it teach us about forgetting or not planning ahead?This takes away the consequence of forgetting or overlooking an item.Now you don't have to remember to use timers on your lights, or even go through your home and making sure everything is secure before you leave.Now you can just whip out your phone, hit a few buttons, and hope that everything responded correctly at home.In essence, this takes away the human element in more ways than one.First, you are no longer required to physically turn on and off lights, whether you do it yourself, a timer does it, or a trusted friend or neighbor stops by the home.Second, this frees the human mind with one less thing to think about and remember.A good memory leads to having a sharper mind.As people grow dumber and more reliant on technology for the most basic of functions, that technology will one day control every aspect of their very lives.When seeing technology like the Apple iPhone 3GS being promoted for the average person, I can't help but think back to the 1993 movie Jurassic Park and Dr.Ian Malcolm.After seeing some dinosaurs and going on a partial tour of the visitor center, he tells Mr.Hammond, "[Y]our scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.".Do we need advances in technology?Certainly.Human society is waiting for the next great advances in energy, transportation, medical, biology and other critical areas involving life.The future depends on it.Is it important to have the latest games and movies available at your fingertips for instant entertainment, or be able to find something that you most likely would have easily found anyway?No.Don't become reliant on cellular technology and instant communication.It isn't the end of the world if you can't access Facebook or MySpace for a few hours.Get out and socialize in the real world, talking to real people and exploring real locations.Get the kids to read a book or even magazine for once.Society has been able to survive without text messaging or using social networking sites from a cell phone.Kids can survive short and even long trips in the car without playing video games or watching movies."And that's why I don't go anywhere without my iPhone.".Sadly, how many other people have fallen into the same addiction and dependency?
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Daily Life and the Cell Phone - A Look at the iPhone 3GS
Is it just me, or are people these days becoming more and more obsessed with their cellular phones and all of the fancy services and applications available with them?Are we standing at the threshold of a new era in communication and personal entertainment, where people will literally be able to control most aspects of their daily lives with their cell phone?Technology is changing and improving our life with each passing moment at an accelerating rate.But the real question is, with many of these advancements, are they really to benefit society and enrich lives, or are they secretly destroying them in the process, whether that was the original intention or not?Take the Apple iPhone 3GS for example.I don't have one myself (too expensive for my taste), but I'll hand it to the ingenious folks at Apple for creating yet another must-have item that many people are dying to own.As long as you also have a data plan to go with it, and you shell out a few extra bucks for even more features and apps, the world is literally at your fingertips from communication to Internet access to gaming to programming the lights at your home and more!It's slick, and with new applications still being developed, we have yet to see the full potential of this incredibly advanced product.Now watch a recent commercial for this very same phone (link to video available in article at "The Rellim Zone").In the commercial we have a mom who is heading to the airport with her family.By using only the iPhone 3GS (we're under assumption that everything in the commercial is accurate, which I believe is true), this mother is able to check into their flight, find a snack bar in the terminal (complete with a ratings system), arrange for her kids to watch a movie on the iPhone, and even remotely turn off some lights at home.Is that fancy or what?I'll admit that some of those features look pretty neat.I most likely wouldn't use them myself, but the fact that they are available is impressive.But what kind of a society are we really seeing here?By using the remote check-in and having airlines switch to an automated system, we're losing more customer service positions to technology.How many customer service positions in call centers have moved overseas to India? For that matter, how many grocery store check-out clerks have been replaced by the self check-out registers? The grocery stores aren't giving you a discount when you do the work of checking out your items.I know that the airliner customer service agents aren't going anywhere yet (not that many of the financially troubled airliners couldn't lose positions here and there to try to save some money), but this part of a downward trend.As more and more people get used to using automated systems in commercial and other areas, there will be many more customer service jobs lost because of similar advances in technology.The rest of the commercial goes in line with the general dumbing down, self-centered, and entertainment-focused destruction of society.For example, the woman uses the phone to find a snack for her kids.Okay, when you're in an airport, how hard is it to find a snack stand, counter-service restaurant, or even some vending machines? Many terminals in most medium and large airports are filled with places to get a snack or meal.Major fast food franchises often have airport locations.Restaurants in airports is a huge industry.Now as far as quality and affordability, that's a different story.I could see using the phone to try to search for a particular style of food.But when it comes to just "finding a snack," open your eyes and look around as you walk to the gate.I'm sure the kids will survive if you don't find something immediately and have to *gasp* look around for a few minutes! Oh, the horror!Scavenging is a survival tool, and not being able to find something without the aid of an electronic device is a critical fault.Put away the phone and have some fun looking around and exploring the local area.You may be amazed at what you find or who you talk to along the way.The commercial then shows how the woman manages to play a movie on the iPhone to amuse the children.Yeah, movies are great when you go to the theater or watch them at home, but is it really necessary to have cars and SUVs with TVs and also have movies and shows available for viewing on the phone?Too many of today's children spend way too much time at home in front of the TV or computer, and the last thing they need is to watch more of it on the road and whenever they want to on the phone or other handheld electronic device.If you as a parent have to resort to electronics to keep children amused, then you have some serious parenting problems.Put away the phone and spend some quality time with the kids.Get them involved in hobbies that can still take place on the road and away from home.Finally, we see the same mother use the iPhone 3GS to remotely turn off some lights at home.This is part of what will ultimately become a fully automated home, complete with automated door locks and plumbing.Controlling the lights is just the beginning.Is being able to control your lights by remote handy?Sure.But what does it teach us about forgetting or not planning ahead?This takes away the consequence of forgetting or overlooking an item.Now you don't have to remember to use timers on your lights, or even go through your home and making sure everything is secure before you leave.Now you can just whip out your phone, hit a few buttons, and hope that everything responded correctly at home.In essence, this takes away the human element in more ways than one.First, you are no longer required to physically turn on and off lights, whether you do it yourself, a timer does it, or a trusted friend or neighbor stops by the home.Second, this frees the human mind with one less thing to think about and remember.A good memory leads to having a sharper mind.As people grow dumber and more reliant on technology for the most basic of functions, that technology will one day control every aspect of their very lives.When seeing technology like the Apple iPhone 3GS being promoted for the average person, I can't help but think back to the 1993 movie Jurassic Park and Dr.Ian Malcolm.After seeing some dinosaurs and going on a partial tour of the visitor center, he tells Mr.Hammond, "[Y]our scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.".Do we need advances in technology?Certainly.Human society is waiting for the next great advances in energy, transportation, medical, biology and other critical areas involving life.The future depends on it.Is it important to have the latest games and movies available at your fingertips for instant entertainment, or be able to find something that you most likely would have easily found anyway?No.Don't become reliant on cellular technology and instant communication.It isn't the end of the world if you can't access Facebook or MySpace for a few hours.Get out and socialize in the real world, talking to real people and exploring real locations.Get the kids to read a book or even magazine for once.Society has been able to survive without text messaging or using social networking sites from a cell phone.Kids can survive short and even long trips in the car without playing video games or watching movies."And that's why I don't go anywhere without my iPhone.".Sadly, how many other people have fallen into the same addiction and dependency?
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