Are We Too Dependent on Technology in Everyday Life?

[HenryCollins123]

Lately I’ve been thinking about how much we rely on technology for almost everything communication, work, entertainment, even basic daily tasks.

On one hand, it’s made life more convenient and connected. But on the other hand, it feels like people are becoming less independent and maybe even more distracted.

For example, things like navigation, remembering information, or even simple problem-solving are often handled by devices now.

Do you think this level of dependence is a good thing overall, or are we slowly losing important skills because of it?

Curious to hear different perspectives on this

 

[highfigh]

I can give an example of technology that's too extreme for the ones who are suposed to service the products- motor vehicles. Cars, trucks, boats- they're using control technology that's too advanced for the typical service tech and far beyond the beginners. A vehicle owner who thinks they can diagnose and fix problems is delusional and many believe that replacing a lot of parts is the definition of that. In the vehicle service industry, that's called 'bringing out the parts cannon'.

Anyone who serviced vehicles without electronic sensors and doesn't understand even basic electrical theory/electronics has little chance of success- I was working for a boat dealer in the late-'90s and was sent to train for fuel injection/brand-specific servicing. Some of the techs had been working on boats for decades, but there was nothing electronic, other thana alternator, distributor and accessories- a test light or multimeter, wire crimper and a few other items were all someone would need.....until the day we were working with electricity & basic electrical devices, like relays and finding faults in wiring harnesses. One group acted like Steve Martin & Dan Aykroyd on SNL, when they held up a small item and asked "What the hell is that?". These guys were dumbfounded by a Bosch-style 12V relay. Had no idea how it worked or what to do with it, even though the tabs were marked with a number and a diagram was on the side. And these guys were supposed to diagnose problems on a fuel injected engine? Nope.

The photo shows an example of the relay-

 

[Jeepers]

Technology is definitely beneficial to us but has also resulted in problems. The perfect example is AI.
Also the younger generations can't add/subtract/multiply/divide anymore; they need calculators for almost everything. I have been working for 39 years in IT and I don't have a decent handwriting anymore. Sometimes I need to figure out what I wrote a few days ago.

 

[TLS Guy]

Technology is definitely beneficial to us but has also resulted in problems. The perfect example is AI.
Also the younger generations can't add/subtract/multiply/divide anymore; they need calculators for almost everything. I have been working for 39 years in IT and I don't have a decent handwriting anymore. Sometimes I need to figure out what I wrote a few days ago.

AI is a misnomer for a start. It is AS!

 

[Kingnoob]

AI is a misnomer for a start. It is AS!

AI to replace fragile humans and animals . So Robots can live forever and we go the way of the dodo and dinosaurs. Most the checkouts are replaced with self checkouts in stores so customer is doing corporate work .

 

[pewternhrata]

Lately I’ve been thinking about how much we rely on technology for almost everything communication, work, entertainment, even basic daily tasks.

On one hand, it’s made life more convenient and connected. But on the other hand, it feels like people are becoming less independent and maybe even more distracted.

For example, things like navigation, remembering information, or even simple problem-solving are often handled by devices now.

Do you think this level of dependence is a good thing overall, or are we slowly losing important skills because of it?

Curious to hear different perspectives on this

My opinion, we rely on it too much for the; what should be simple approach. My wife has a reminder on alexa to take out the trash. Please turn that off. Navigation is a huge help, yet I'd prefer a 'landmark' over street names. Its convenient to tell alexa to turn on/off the lights yet its easier to just flip a light switch. Chat gpt and the likes is only dumbing ppl down. Let me pull out Google to figure out how to change a light bulb. The tech is not being utilized to simplify life

 

[highfigh]

AI to replace fragile humans and animals . So Robots can live forever and we go the way of the dodo and dinosaurs. Most the checkouts are replaced with self checkouts in stores so customer is doing corporate work .

Self checkout is being removed at many Kroger-owned stores and they're the largest chain in the US, so that isn't taking more jobs. High fast food wages has caused store owners to install koisks and THOSE don't make mistakes, spit on food, cop an attitude, etc.

Bitch, bitch, bitch. Go to stores that operate the way you prefer- they're out there.

 

[highfigh]

My opinion, we rely on it too much for the; what should be simple approach. My wife has a reminder on alexa to take out the trash. Please turn that off. Navigation is a huge help, yet I'd prefer a 'landmark' over street names. Its convenient to tell alexa to turn on/off the lights yet its easier to just flip a light switch. Chat gpt and the likes is only dumbing ppl down. Let me pull out Google to figure out how to change a light bulb. The tech is not being utilized to simplify life

What happened to a place where notes can be made, like a bulletin or chalkboard? Those work fine, but I guess telling someone or something to remind is easier than writing it. A smart phone can do the same thing without forcing someone else to hear it.

WRT changing a lightbulb, there's always Next Door, which is like a sandbox for little kids.

 

[j_garcia]

Yes. Yes we do. A friend called out of the blue the other day that I haven't talked to in a while. He is 91 and in many cases he used to be an early adopter, especially with audio. He said "All this tech keeps us connected in a way, but not in the right way. What happened to talking face to face?" He wasn't referring to the phone specifically, just that we get tidbits of each other's lives by social and various technologies, but lose a bit of the core connection.

 

[rnatalli]

I think overall the benefits outweigh the negatives, but it does bother me that anyone can find you any time. In the past, when one got on a plane or boat heading to another country, it wasn't so easy to get a hold of them. This freedom is gone nowadays.

 

[Cos]

As I sit here on a plane coming back from a business trip with my two cell phones and MacBook Pro the quick answer is yes. That being said, the always connected part puts an unimaginable about of extra work and stress because you can never escape the job unless you force yourself to to.

 

[lovinthehd]

As I sit here on a plane coming back from a business trip with my two cell phones and MacBook Pro I the quick answer is yes. That being said, the always connected part puts an unimaginable about of extra work and stress because you can never escape the job unless you force yourself to too

I can only imagine the pressures today. I did a first "retirement" in 2000, and while I provided some after-hours services at my discretion and for much extra $$, was disgusted when I came back to work in 2010 briefly as to how those demands had multiplied and gotten "free". Hated it. Retired again in 2013.

 

[Alex2507]

One of the things I like about the tech of today is it has put me in touch with the likes of the people on this forum.

Just think about how limited my world would be being a construction rat. I mean, I "know" a submariner because of this tech. That’s crazy!

The kind of information I have access to now is also pretty spectacular. Even though misinformation is rampant I'm still able to access the CDC and NIH for their 2 cents on things that matter. Like I'm pretty dumb about a lot of things but it would actually be worse without the internet.

So, all in all, I say we keep technology moving forward. The 70s and the 80s didn't do me any favors from a general awareness standpoint. Who the hell wants to go looking for a pay phone?

 

[Mikado463]

some of us are old enough to remember when 'tech' allowed us to not have to get off the sofa to change the channel on the TV. There has always been 'technology of the times' ...........