Are you addicted?

[Apex]

Are you addicted to technology?

Many people seem to be addicted to technology. The people who hop into their cars and right after they start it, pick up the phone to make a call or send a text, then put the car in drive/reverse. There is always the people who have work addictions, but is it really work or the technology?

Many people can't go anywhere without their phone. There are a good amount of people out there who, when they find out their phone is not with them, turn around right away to get their smart phone.

Many of these people, especially when it comes to youth, find themselves struggling with face to face social activities. People struggle to communicate since they have been so accustomed to talking via their fingers.

Thousands of people are addicted to these technological marvels and are not even aware of it. I think part of the problem is parents who throw their kinds in front of the TV or gaming console. I am not saying that is a huge problem, but I do feel like it is the first step. It somewhat tells the kids that "this is ok, this is what I need to do".

Just my complaining via my soap box. It is interesting, I am typing this while watching the TV and while talking with my wife. I have no problem turning off the computer and the TV, and just chat with my wife or reading a book instead. As a matter of fact, that is what I'm going to do. I see all of my ninjette family tomorrow!

[Vampyre]

I am addicted, but I find it very nice to be a daily commuter on the bike. No radio, No phone, just me and the machine. Gives me a nice balance from my techyness at work.

[Vampyre]

Oh and are you really getting off? It has been 2 min and you online status is still green.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by Apex

Many of these people, especially when it comes to youth, find themselves struggling with face to face social activities. People struggle to communicate since they have been so accustomed to talking via their fingers.

How many people do you know that struggle to talk to other people? I won't argue that people aren't addicted to technology but you make it sound like schools are filled with socially retarded kids. I think you are overly exaggerating the consequences of using technology.

And I do agree that I feel naked if I don't have my phone, keys, and wallet.

[greatwhiteninja]

i prefer to text then talk.. guilty

[Snake]

I'm not addicted at all. I try to keep things as simple as possible.

[LoneRonin]

Originally Posted by Snake

I'm not addicted at all. I try to keep things as simple as possible.

same here...I've had my cellphone out of service for 3-4 weeks at a time and gotten by perfectly fine...All I'll really miss is my PS3.

[Vampyre]

Originally Posted by LoneRonin

same here...I've had my cellphone out of service for 3-4 weeks at a time and gotten by perfectly fine...All I'll really miss is my PS3.

Ps3 up for some red dead redemption fun.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by Vampyre

Ps3 up for some red dead redemption fun.

I lost my red dead disc =[

[alex.s]

Hi everyone.... my name is alex... and i'm addicted.

[SSR]

Let's see...

- I've never owned a cell phone
- have never signed up for facebook/twitter/myspace
- have a land line phone with no call display or answering machine
- have an analog watch
- and by choice, have a really slow computer (1.6Ghz dual core)

Nope, don't think I'm addidicted in the slightest.

[Live2ride]

My name is Cody, and I'm addicted too.

I tend to check my phone every few minutes, I have internet (ninjette.org 99.9% of the time), normal phone texting, calls, gps, e-mail and everything else. I also tend to take my phone everywhere I go in case of an emergency. I do find it relaxing when I get away from it though.

[Cab305]

I'm addicted to track days, I find myself thinking about it all the time. I have been cutting back on essentials like electricity and food. Had my power cut off for 5 days last month, but I got to go to track day. My phone is 2nd gen. flip, and I stopped watching TV so i won't have to pay cable..... on a positive note, I feel smarter, and I look thinner There is another one in 2 weeks, maybe I can sell blood?

I'm sorry you were saying something

[adri99an]

Addicited is an understatement....it's my life line

Ever leave home without your cell and feel llike your leg is missing???? That's me....I have to run back home and grab it....

Hello my name is Adrian and I am addicted to the following....

Facebook
Texting
Internet surfing
YouTube
anything internet related

Is there a 12 step program we can join? I'll Google it and find out....
on a positive note---I do not have a landline (those are for suckers!!)

[Apex]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

How many people do you know that struggle to talk to other people? I won't argue that people aren't addicted to technology but you make it sound like schools are filled with socially retarded kids. I think you are overly exaggerating the consequences of using technology.

And I do agree that I feel naked if I don't have my phone, keys, and wallet.

I know a good amount of kids who have a hard time even looking in another person's eyes. Now yes, technology is probably not the issue as much as the kid not having other kids around to interact with. But when the kids have their noses buried in a cell phone surfting Facebook, I'm pretty sure that isn't helping.

I'm not saying all situations are like that, just saying that it seems to be becoming more and more common.

[Apex]

Originally Posted by Vampyre

Oh and are you really getting off? It has been 2 min and you online status is still green.

It is slow to update unless you click "logoff".

[alex.s]

i'm addicted to ninjette! i <3s it

[Apex]

[CThunder-blue]

I don't think technology is really the culprit. It's easy to blame, but it has more to do with parenting. My nephew is 13 and has been around tech stuff all his life. His father is heavily involved in the tech industry and usually carries a blackberry and a mifi with him, even on vacations. My nephew got an xbox360 this past Christmas and always has bunch of other gadgets. However, since he was a kid, his dad would take him on fishing trips and his mom would take him out as well. He has his own gaming room with flat screen tv and game consoles, but he's not always there. A lot of times, you can find him out side playing with his friends. He makes friends extremely easily and is usually "leader of the pack." I think he's got a new GF this year as well. He's a bright boy, does great in school, no problems socializing, and treats everyone with respect.

I think that socialization issues are the parents' responsibilities. Kids can have their tech gear, but as long as you interact with them positively, they have a good chance at leading a healthy social life.

I do agree that adults seem to be more addicted to tech now than before. As things become cheaper, people are finding convenience in these things. I have my iPhone with me all the time. I have games, movies, etc on it. When I'm out in a strange area with my wife and we need to find something to eat, I just look it up. If we get lost, I just open my map app. Am I addicted to any tech? Not really. I can go weeks without turning on my 360 or ps3. I don't watch tv, but like my movies. However, I don't have a problem watching it on a 13" tube tv, which I have in front of the treadmill.

Short answer would be no. I have no addictions to tech.

[Apex]

I fully agree...but if the parents are techies, then the kids do the "monkey see, monkey do" thing.

I fully agree that it is parenting.

"Watch this DVD and leave me alone", "Go play a video game, I'm working", etc etc etc...

YAY for awesome parents!!

[Fly'in Ninja]

ok, yes, I'm lost without my smartphone

[Domagoj]

I despise mobile phones, facebook, twitter, and all that.
I have to have a cell phone because the company I work for requires me to have it, but I tend to loose it and forget about it at least twice a week .
I stopped watching tv ages ago. Whatever I may want I can find it online, and have more than one opinion on the matter in a few minutes at most.

I like computers and games. Some of them can be really immersing and good fun, better than most movies. If you keep attention to detail they may be like a nice fantasy book. Hack'n'slash stuff is ok sometimes as well.
But I don't like mmo's that much. It is a society of sorts and being up to date and an active member starts to interfere with one's real life. That's a bit too much involvement and commitment for me.

I like the internet as a whole, it is nice to be able to have information when you want it. I believe it made life a lot easier. This forum is a great example.

I would say as a whole that I am a game addict, but not tech addict.

[setasai]

Great thread. I've been annoyed with this lately as well. Not so much about being addicted to it but more the thought that future generations will be come dependent on it. How many people these days can read a map now that we have GPS? Or how about a compass? I'm not saying that it's not useful and helpful but what would we do if somehow survival without technology is required say in an apocalypse?

If none of that bothers you, what about all the dates you've gone on that was interrupted by phone calls, texts, facebook, tweets, email, and anything else a smart phone nowadays can do.

Or, even worse, the expectation that you respond to it IMMEDIATELY? Like i have nothing better to do. Sometimes I dont, but i hate it when it's assumed.

[Xoulrath]

I'm not addicted to technology, though I sure do like it. I definitely enjoy my HD monitors around the house. Though I got them for games more than shows as I don't watch all that much TV. I have many times thought about cancelling the cell phone service, but it's cheap, and my wife likes to have it. I suppose it is good for emergencies.

I would say I used to be addicted to video games, but lately aside from playing FPSs with friends, I don't find any enjoyment with them. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since I've been playing console games for 28 years. I started playing PC games as soon as I had access to one on a regular basis, which was about 1997. I often times get more enjoyment from card games and miniatures games. This was true even when I still liked playing video/PC games.

I must admit I am probably addicted to the internet. I have always sought knowledge about pretty much anything that intrigues me. The internet makes that very doable. Though you do have to filter out some garbage and double and triple check sources.

[akima]

I have deliberately avoided buying a smart phone. I spend enough time already on my computer; I don't want a computer with me all the time, When I'm outside I like to focus on the outside world, the people, nature and events happening around me - it's so much more stimulating, vivid and involving than anything a 3" screen and mobile internet can offer.