Get thee to law school !eumaas wrote:free speech exists for speech we don't like, not speech we do.
Wisdom for the digital Age of Aquarius !eumaas wrote:It's a good reason to never join an organization you wouldn't affiliate with publicly.
Get thee to law school !eumaas wrote:free speech exists for speech we don't like, not speech we do.
Wisdom for the digital Age of Aquarius !eumaas wrote:It's a good reason to never join an organization you wouldn't affiliate with publicly.
No money, plus I hate lawyers.dpwolf wrote:Get thee to law school !eumaas wrote:free speech exists for speech we don't like, not speech we do.
Wisdom for the digital Age of Aquarius !eumaas wrote:It's a good reason to never join an organization you wouldn't affiliate with publicly.
This makes me think of two things which have been on my mind of late. First is the degree to which the tweeners, milleniums or whatever (post-GenY) are becoming self-centered by the use of myspace, facebook and internet blogs, etc. I understand the benefit of such sites for communication and sharing information, but at the same time all that continuous focus upon yourself - what you think, what music you like, your picture, your clothes, your friends, what your doing this instant, etc. - must be detrimental to some degree. Or is that just me being an old GenX fud?eumaas wrote:Wisdom for the digital Age of Aquarius !eumaas wrote:It's a good reason to never join an organization you wouldn't affiliate with publicly.
Without thinking this thru too deeply, generational theory would suggest that social networking like that is consistent with the herd mentality of Millennials and their generational type. Find a group and join. Move up and down within the group, but you are defined by your group of friends. Need something done? There's a built-in set of friends right there to call upon.dpwolf wrote:This makes me think of two things which have been on my mind of late. First is the degree to which the tweeners, milleniums or whatever (post-GenY) are becoming self-centered by the use of myspace, facebook and internet blogs, etc. I understand the benefit of such sites for communication and sharing information, but at the same time all that continuous focus upon yourself - what you think, what music you like, your picture, your clothes, your friends, what your doing this instant, etc. - must be detrimental to some degree. Or is that just me being an old GenX fud?
That's pretty much my entire rationale for not joining Facebook or Myspace or any other social networking site. I value my individuality and privacy enough that I don't need others contacting me if I don't want them to, and by putting yourself out there, it's an open invitation. Then I either have to accept invitations from others or be a dick and say no thanks. Which is arguably a Gen X trait, but it's more of a "me being a recluse" trait.Second is loss of anonymity. I was one of those thousands who packed everything they owned into a car and drove East to West in the early 90s. It's not like I was running from my family, my hometown or the law or anything but rather it was a strive for anonymity and a blank slate. Psychoanalyze that desire if you must but regardless I loathe the idea of signing up to facebook or something similar where anyone from your past can find you, see what you're up to and get a hold of you. I mean what do you say to someone you haven't seen in 10 years and is a totally new person with a totally different life than when you knew each other? "Sounds like you're doing well; take care" is all I can think of.
Admittedly I'm not very familiar, but even with internet 'friends,' it seems the largest interest is how many you can get nominated and posting on your own space, and the comments they leave you there ("you're like totally cool"), rather than seeing what someone else thinks or does. I guess I don't see the focus upon friendship - in terms of empathy - or even herd mentality. It seems more like masturbation.Dr. Medulla wrote:Without thinking this thru too deeply, generational theory would suggest that social networking like that is consistent with the herd mentality of Millennials and their generational type. Find a group and join. Move up and down within the group, but you are defined by your group of friends. Need something done? There's a built-in set of friends right there to call upon.dpwolf wrote:This makes me think of two things which have been on my mind of late. First is the degree to which the tweeners, milleniums or whatever (post-GenY) are becoming self-centered by the use of myspace, facebook and internet blogs, etc. I understand the benefit of such sites for communication and sharing information, but at the same time all that continuous focus upon yourself - what you think, what music you like, your picture, your clothes, your friends, what your doing this instant, etc. - must be detrimental to some degree. Or is that just me being an old GenX fud?
I disagree with this. It might look that way from the outside, but that's not what it's about. It's about keeping in constant touch with people. Your description reminds me of Steve saying we post here in order to raise our post counts.dpwolf wrote:Admittedly I'm not very familiar, but even with internet 'friends,' it seems the largest interest is how many you can get nominated and posting on your own space, and the comments they leave you there ("you're like totally cool"), rather than seeing what someone else thinks or does. I guess I don't see the focus upon friendship - in terms of empathy - or even herd mentality. It seems more like masturbation.Dr. Medulla wrote:Without thinking this thru too deeply, generational theory would suggest that social networking like that is consistent with the herd mentality of Millennials and their generational type. Find a group and join. Move up and down within the group, but you are defined by your group of friends. Need something done? There's a built-in set of friends right there to call upon.dpwolf wrote:This makes me think of two things which have been on my mind of late. First is the degree to which the tweeners, milleniums or whatever (post-GenY) are becoming self-centered by the use of myspace, facebook and internet blogs, etc. I understand the benefit of such sites for communication and sharing information, but at the same time all that continuous focus upon yourself - what you think, what music you like, your picture, your clothes, your friends, what your doing this instant, etc. - must be detrimental to some degree. Or is that just me being an old GenX fud?
Yes I see what you mean. That was an outside with blinders viewpoint and as soon as I wrote it the same thought occurred to me, and of course that proves how writing/posting and getting responses can quickly teach you something. I guess that stuff doesn't influence one way or the other, i.e. if all you care about is yourself or if you care very much about others the internet will let you masturbate or honestly communicate, as you wish.eumaas wrote:I disagree with this. It might look that way from the outside, but that's not what it's about. It's about keeping in constant touch with people. Your description reminds me of Steve saying we post here in order to raise our post counts.dpwolf wrote:Admittedly I'm not very familiar, but even with internet 'friends,' it seems the largest interest is how many you can get nominated and posting on your own space, and the comments they leave you there ("you're like totally cool"), rather than seeing what someone else thinks or does. I guess I don't see the focus upon friendship - in terms of empathy - or even herd mentality. It seems more like masturbation.Dr. Medulla wrote:Without thinking this thru too deeply, generational theory would suggest that social networking like that is consistent with the herd mentality of Millennials and their generational type. Find a group and join. Move up and down within the group, but you are defined by your group of friends. Need something done? There's a built-in set of friends right there to call upon.dpwolf wrote:This makes me think of two things which have been on my mind of late. First is the degree to which the tweeners, milleniums or whatever (post-GenY) are becoming self-centered by the use of myspace, facebook and internet blogs, etc. I understand the benefit of such sites for communication and sharing information, but at the same time all that continuous focus upon yourself - what you think, what music you like, your picture, your clothes, your friends, what your doing this instant, etc. - must be detrimental to some degree. Or is that just me being an old GenX fud?
Pretty much.dpwolf wrote:Yes I see what you mean. That was an outside with blinders viewpoint and as soon as I wrote it the same thought occurred to me, and of course that proves how writing/posting and getting responses can quickly teach you something. I guess that stuff doesn't influence one way or the other, i.e. if all you care about is yourself or if you care very much about others the internet will let you masturbate or honestly communicate, as you wish.eumaas wrote:I disagree with this. It might look that way from the outside, but that's not what it's about. It's about keeping in constant touch with people. Your description reminds me of Steve saying we post here in order to raise our post counts.dpwolf wrote:Admittedly I'm not very familiar, but even with internet 'friends,' it seems the largest interest is how many you can get nominated and posting on your own space, and the comments they leave you there ("you're like totally cool"), rather than seeing what someone else thinks or does. I guess I don't see the focus upon friendship - in terms of empathy - or even herd mentality. It seems more like masturbation.Dr. Medulla wrote:Without thinking this thru too deeply, generational theory would suggest that social networking like that is consistent with the herd mentality of Millennials and their generational type. Find a group and join. Move up and down within the group, but you are defined by your group of friends. Need something done? There's a built-in set of friends right there to call upon.dpwolf wrote:This makes me think of two things which have been on my mind of late. First is the degree to which the tweeners, milleniums or whatever (post-GenY) are becoming self-centered by the use of myspace, facebook and internet blogs, etc. I understand the benefit of such sites for communication and sharing information, but at the same time all that continuous focus upon yourself - what you think, what music you like, your picture, your clothes, your friends, what your doing this instant, etc. - must be detrimental to some degree. Or is that just me being an old GenX fud?
What about twitter and similar play by play narration? Is that stupid overkill? Or a good example to this brave new world?eumaas wrote:Pretty much.dpwolf wrote:Yes I see what you mean. That was an outside with blinders viewpoint and as soon as I wrote it the same thought occurred to me, and of course that proves how writing/posting and getting responses can quickly teach you something. I guess that stuff doesn't influence one way or the other, i.e. if all you care about is yourself or if you care very much about others the internet will let you masturbate or honestly communicate, as you wish.eumaas wrote:I disagree with this. It might look that way from the outside, but that's not what it's about. It's about keeping in constant touch with people. Your description reminds me of Steve saying we post here in order to raise our post counts.dpwolf wrote:Admittedly I'm not very familiar, but even with internet 'friends,' it seems the largest interest is how many you can get nominated and posting on your own space, and the comments they leave you there ("you're like totally cool"), rather than seeing what someone else thinks or does. I guess I don't see the focus upon friendship - in terms of empathy - or even herd mentality. It seems more like masturbation.Dr. Medulla wrote: Without thinking this thru too deeply, generational theory would suggest that social networking like that is consistent with the herd mentality of Millennials and their generational type. Find a group and join. Move up and down within the group, but you are defined by your group of friends. Need something done? There's a built-in set of friends right there to call upon.
I value facebook and myspace as means of keeping in touch--email is too flooded and easily forgotten, and for some reason my generation has an aversion to phone calls (I love telephony myself), so social networking sites do the trick.
EDIT: actually, just arranged hanging out time yesterday via myspace with a friend who has no phone. wouldn't have been feasible otherwise.
I part with my generation on a lot of things. Twitter and text messaging are two places where I part. Maybe Flex can make an argument for one or both.dpwolf wrote:What about twitter and similar play by play narration? Is that stupid overkill? Or a good example to this brave new world?eumaas wrote:Pretty much.dpwolf wrote:Yes I see what you mean. That was an outside with blinders viewpoint and as soon as I wrote it the same thought occurred to me, and of course that proves how writing/posting and getting responses can quickly teach you something. I guess that stuff doesn't influence one way or the other, i.e. if all you care about is yourself or if you care very much about others the internet will let you masturbate or honestly communicate, as you wish.eumaas wrote:I disagree with this. It might look that way from the outside, but that's not what it's about. It's about keeping in constant touch with people. Your description reminds me of Steve saying we post here in order to raise our post counts.dpwolf wrote: Admittedly I'm not very familiar, but even with internet 'friends,' it seems the largest interest is how many you can get nominated and posting on your own space, and the comments they leave you there ("you're like totally cool"), rather than seeing what someone else thinks or does. I guess I don't see the focus upon friendship - in terms of empathy - or even herd mentality. It seems more like masturbation.
I value facebook and myspace as means of keeping in touch--email is too flooded and easily forgotten, and for some reason my generation has an aversion to phone calls (I love telephony myself), so social networking sites do the trick.
EDIT: actually, just arranged hanging out time yesterday via myspace with a friend who has no phone. wouldn't have been feasible otherwise.
Text messaging seems to be a temporary patch. You can inform unilaterally, and make jokes, but discussing/communicating by text message is rather cumbersome. I wonder if it won't go away at some point in the near future, in favor of improved e-mail and access to social sites on the internet by phone.eumaas wrote:I part with my generation on a lot of things. Twitter and text messaging are two places where I part. Maybe Flex can make an argument for one or both.
People think I'm nuts cos I don't text. Also, if I call, or tell people to call me, they either respond in text or try to text me. Thing is, I don't receive text messages.dpwolf wrote:Text messaging seems to be a temporary patch. You can inform unilaterally, and make jokes, but discussing/communicating by text message is rather cumbersome. I wonder if it won't go away at some point in the near future, in favor of improved e-mail and access to social sites on the internet by phone.eumaas wrote:I part with my generation on a lot of things. Twitter and text messaging are two places where I part. Maybe Flex can make an argument for one or both.
Think txting is here to stay, it's taken off in a big way in the UK. I use txts all the time, it's a pretty un-obtrusive way of keeping in touch with people, they can get back to you at their leisure. For Jokes/quips it's great, I know a lot of sick bastards and we keep in touch with the bad taste stuff, one of us recieves a belter and it's all round the country within minutes. I've a had a mobile phone for about 15 years now and would be totally lost without it. I initially had to carry one about for work and hated being contactable at all times but I quickly sussed if you turned the bugger off they couldn't get hold of you (blame network problems).eumaas wrote:People think I'm nuts cos I don't text. Also, if I call, or tell people to call me, they either respond in text or try to text me. Thing is, I don't receive text messages.dpwolf wrote:Text messaging seems to be a temporary patch. You can inform unilaterally, and make jokes, but discussing/communicating by text message is rather cumbersome. I wonder if it won't go away at some point in the near future, in favor of improved e-mail and access to social sites on the internet by phone.eumaas wrote:I part with my generation on a lot of things. Twitter and text messaging are two places where I part. Maybe Flex can make an argument for one or both.
Yeah, but let me tell you, nothing beats the phone for arranging a night of drunken adventure.101Walterton wrote:Ok so I am a dinosaur although I do try to evolve about as quickly as Darwins theory however I recently experienced a culture clash with GenY (or whatever the new term is). I recently had my cousins tenage daughter and her friend to stay whilst they are on their big backpacking OE. They are travelling the world to find themselves and stand on their own two feet for the first time in their life asfter years of boarding school.
They stayed with us for about a wek and we had to forcibly remove them from the house to go outside and see some stuff. If they werent on my computer updating their Facebook they were lying in bed texting their friends in the UK on their mobiles. They both spoke with their parents numerous times per day via email, text and actual talking as well as their friends. Usually it was arranging internet banking transactions to pay for the trip they were on and supposed to be paying for themselves.
What happened to adventure / danger and disappearing into the wrld with only a phone call home once every few weeks if you could find a phone. These girls may as well have been 5 miles down the road from home.