Does anyone miss socializing before Social Media and Smartphones?

I very much remember that. I was still a kid when the fourth iPhone had just come out in my country. Everything seemed so natural, so vivid, and people would actually play soccer and tag outside (up to like 13 yrs old). Things were simpler. Nowadays everyone has a smartphone (although that doesn't stop people from stealing them) and is too focused on it. Before PMO and technology life seemed to be slower and calmer. Now everything seems a lot more agitated. Wish we could go back but we don't have a time machine.
The best that we can do is to have real face-to-face convos with those close to us since the rest of the world is away.

 

I like to talk about this a lot.

Well, for me, social media and smartphones were a life changer. I mean, before I had access to the internet and all of that, I was not a people person at all. Let me explain. If it wasn't for smartphones, I wouldn't be able to learn about all the anime/manga/hqs/series content and communities. Before all this, I didn't have any friends because I was definitely not an interesting person, I did not have anything to talk about. All this access opened a gate for me to start talking to people about something and evolve these conversations to a more deep relationship. We became friends, and start hanging out together you know? But don't get me wrong. I'm not an influencer type of guy either. I deleted all my social media like, reddit, facebook, twitter, and other ones and just left instagram and whatsapp on. I just didn't deleted my instagram, because my friend told me that it might be useful once I get into the university. Also, technology and internet allowed me to play online games with my friends, maintain contact with my big family all over Brazil and much more. But don't get me wrong again, I don't think social media and phones are perfect, but it can be a good add on to your life if you use it the right way. I like to keep my privacy, so I don't want to have a big profile page on any social media.

That's for sure, man.

I think it is debatable. We can't use tv shows as a means to compare reality today with the reality we use to live in the past. I do agree that the overall society has become more depressed and anxious. But we can't blame only cellphones and social media. Much more stuff changed in our society. The popularity of some religions changed, now we have access to decentralized and easy information about anything anytime, our culture has changed, our jobs, the products offered for us to buy at the stores and much more. All that stuff change the way we live as well.

I agree. I think it increases our level of anxiousness, because of all the information we end up consuming every hour.

Agreed.

 

Absolutely, I am in my 30s and remember what it was like to not have high speed internet, smart phones and social media. I enjoyed those times more and I am still anti-social media and use it only if I have to.

 

get this guy out of here.

 

Yea used to ring mates in the phone very rarely social media there was social media but nowhere near how controlling it is today he'll people used to just arrive at your door

 

High speed internet got me in this mess to begin with, I was fine before

 

Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should.

I think tech/high speed internet does to socializing what microwaves do to cuisine. It may be quicker, cheaper, easier. But it's also missing passion, easy to get it wrong, and will probably give you mild radiation...

On a positive note, there is meant to be a reemergence of 90s culture these days. Simplicity is coming back in fashion in many ways. And last year a poll on worthwhile activities put time with friends and family in person as number 1 and spending time following social 'influencers' way down at the bottom.

I'm resisting in a few ways. My car has no screen in the dash (studies show they can distract more than phones and drink driving!), I hold onto my phones until they're literally obsolete, and I try to show eye contact and engage with people on a human level.

I guess we have to find a happy middle ground? Can't be off the grid, can't be mindless consumers either.

 

I think one day technology will get to the point that it is so advanced that you can literally hang out with your friends in virtual reality just like in person. Thus we will come full circle.

 

You guys remember that time before TV? When you'd actually go out in the evenings and meet your friends, instead of mindlessly absorbing whatever's coming out of that box?

 

If you spend all of your time watching reality tv or dumb movie/show that is your own business, but tv is here to stay like @Ashen One put it overall people are more aware today of the world they live in thanks to tv and social media;

 

You are missing the point

 

enlighten me.

 

What is happening now is the same thing that happened when TV was introduced.

 

Hi Guys

Good conversation. I am not big on social media myself and try not to get sucked in too much. It is also a different era in my opinion. Social media was now taking off when I was a teenager but is in full effect now with so many platforms and the prevalence of mobile devices.

Like one persons said, the technology is not bad, it is all about how you use it. In these covid times having a virtual meeting with friends and family is a good way to socialize from a distance. And where your loved ones are living far away, the technology is a fantastic tool.

Where things have gone done hill in my opinion is the obsession with the validation that Social Media brings. So many people are looking to social media seeking social value and prestige. How many "friends" followers do I have. How many likes do I get etc. Social media and mainstream media tends to promote a very materialistic life style and I think this has a big impact on our youth. This continues to lead many astray and promotes unhealthy perspectives on life and relationships. For some this results in depression and anxiety.

These days I find a good conversation is much more fulfilling. Tv shows etc. don't really do much for me anymore. As another persons noted, I find myself drawn to more informative material, so YouTube is more my thing. You get the opportunity hear the ideas of others, not all of them are healthy but having the access makes for good learning to the discerning individual.

In general I believe we do need to spend more time together, personal interaction with true friends and loved ones brings a level of fulfillment that can not be replaced by any form of media. People need to be with people, not stuck in the screen of a smart phone. Too often your smart phone becomes an escape from reality, instead of trying to make the most of a social situation we retreat into our phones.

 

Nice. This could have been posted in a thread about why porn is bad

 

that clear things up.

 

this is it for me i should have realized that trying to convince people here that tv/social media is good is akin to telling those guy in the virginity forum that virginity ain't worth shit.
Peace.

 

What are you talking about?