On the other hand though I do understand the "cool" factor of all the new technology. I've even bought into the wide spread advances in technology over they years but I keep reverting back. Two years ago I upgraded to a phone with internet on it. I realized what is the necessity of this when I can just get on the internet at home? I know there is a convenience factor but we can live without. All the ads looking to sell these products to us make it seem so necessary, but we just need to think back three or four years and we were all getting along just fine without internet on our phones, if not better.
Just last year I bought an Ipod touch for the cool touch screen and the games and applications that made the idea of an ipod with music on it just a second hand feature. I bought the touch for the unnecessary perks and not for the music capabilities and memory. Now, I'm trying to sell my touch so I can actually fit all my music onto my ipod.
With that said, I do get why people want these new products. They are amazing in terms of technology, but in terms of necessity? We don't need them. Not now. Who knows how far they will come along in a few years, but for now I still think we can live without, I know I can. I actually prefer it. I know these first versions of e-readers are great starter products, but they are unnecessary. I'm not sure what types of perks will come out in a few years with the ipad and kindle to make it necessary for my life, but until them I'm not extremely interested in them other than I'd like to be involved in the new revolution of technology. This "digital" human era that is arising is crazy and we are lucky to be a part of it. Stuff we do not even need is ready to become household necessities. 2nd graders and 3rd graders with cell phones, why does that even seem ok?
This stuff is cool, and the assimilation of them into our society is inevitable, but do we need them? Definitely not.
excuse the typos; was writing this during a history class and I had to make him think I was paying attention. Why learn about World War II when I can blog about the digital human?
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think that its similar to the evolution of vinyls, cassettes, cds, and then ipods. Although now most of us have a ipods because of the ease and convenience, its "cool" to still have a record player because your vintage or non-conformist.
ReplyDeleteThink about how ipods are the true standard now, though. I guess the 'point' of the ipod is that it is much easier to collect all of your musical tracks onto one device doesn't need to have its batteries replaced, or have CDs that can scratch really really easily. It is weird to me that so many people resist the e-reader when (to me) the jump is as logical as my old red scratched up Sony CD player and 300 discs to a little pocket device. I don't think anyone would argue for them being necessary, though.
ReplyDeleteI mean, I guess I'm saying that while record players are vintage, they are not really kept around for practicality. A lot like books, actually; I would rather listen to Kind of Blue with a needle instead of a laser any day, although I'm not sure there's a compelling reason for why I do.
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