Why I think we're regressing

[ZenitYerkes]

See, since a few days I've been toying with the idea of naming a new period called Post-History; so the scheme would be like Prehistory - History - Post-history. And why the change? Well, I thought that History begins since we began to write on analog means (papyrus, scrolls, paper,...) and a post-historic stage could begin when technology is used to store all the data (computers, Internet), so this information is only accessible via the previous mentioned technology.

The problem is exactly that: once the data is stored in a certain technological medium, if the information about that technology is lost it won't be accessible anymore.

With this in my mind the first point about regression popped out: if we, for any reason, wouldn't know how to access the information we have in our computers, how are we going to acquire knowledge? Now the idea is even laughable, but seeing how everything is being brought from analog to digital media, if in the future we're not able to get the information we need via Internet, we won't have any other source from where to take it.

Secondly, I want to point out something that alarms me: we're turning savages. When I read books written by people from the 50's and 60's (with the WWII so near in time), children are pictured as sweet and innocent. Now I've found the past week a group of boys aged 10 or less, that talked like "Man I'm gonna kill you if you don't...". Am I the only one who thinks the rest of the world has turned all superficial and violent?

And are we the so called "civilized society" we claim to be?

And a third point: technology and modern facilities are making us lazy, isolated from the rest of the world, and limited. No elevator? No way I'm going up the stairs. You've got no facebook or tweeter? Then how the hell am I supposed to contact you? No Internet? No work son. No food at the market? I am going to starve to death. No friends? No problem, you can always hold a second life at WoW and feel accepted by a group of like-minded people on the Internet instead of looking for people like that around you or in your family (as people used to do before).

I am afraid to say that we're becoming tech-dependent. If we're taken off the PC and the TV for a few days, we'll be all bored.

This is not progress. We life too comfortable. This is regression, the progress for the sake of laziness.

I wonder what people did before...

EDIT: Sorry for writing this so rushed, but it's late here and I need to sleep.

[Loverofnature]

i feel exactly the same way too comfortable, i have made these toughts waaaaay before Avatar, but avatar only made those thoughts stronger!

[rapunzel77]

Originally Posted by ZenitYerkes

See, since a few days I've been toying with the idea of naming a new period called Post-History; so the scheme would be like Prehistory - History - Post-history.

This is a very interesting idea but I also see the problem with it which you have already addressed .

And why the change? Well, I thought that History begins since we began to write on analog means (papyrus, scrolls, paper,...) and a post-historic stage could begin when technology is used to store all the data (computers, Internet), so this information is only accessible via the previous mentioned technology.

Well, technically history began even before the written word as we know it. Prehistorical times recorded history through art and monoliths (like Stonehenge, etc). "History" started like you said with the advent of the written word or pictograph in clay tablets, papyrus, scrolls, bamboo, paper, etc.

I'm not sure if post-history would be the correct term for storing data in computers, etc but since I don't have a better term for it right now then I guess we will go with that.

The problem is exactly that: once the data is stored in a certain technological medium, if the information about that technology is lost it won't be accessible anymore.

This is a problem that I have pondered too and the consequences are scary.

With this in my mind the first point about regression popped out: if we, for any reason, wouldn't know how to access the information we have in our computers, how are we going to acquire knowledge?

This is why there needs to be redundancy. I have a collection of over 600 books. I am not going to replace any of them with digital copies. God forbid that they go up in smoke someday but I will continue to keep my book collection because you never know if your computer decides to crash, etc.

However, as to your question, I believe that knowledge will still be obtained in some form.

Now the idea is even laughable, but seeing how everything is being brought from analog to digital media, if in the future we're not able to get the information we need via Internet, we won't have any other source from where to take it.

Again, there is vast stores of information that would take ABSOLUTELY forever to put on computer. Just look at any library. There are tons of books and other media. There are tons of copies of historical documents are are on microfilm and microfiche. It would take so many tedious hours, years even to put all of that information on computer. So at least for the foreseeable future, there will still be information that you can get in books, on tape, microfilm, and microfiche. However, your concern is valid due to what you talk about next.

Secondly, I want to point out something that alarms me: we're turning savages. When I read books written by people from the 50's and 60's (with the WWII so near in time), children are pictured as sweet and innocent. Now I've found the past week a group of boys aged 10 or less, that talked like "Man I'm gonna kill you if you don't...". Am I the only one who thinks the rest of the world has turned all superficial and violent?

Nope, you are not the only one. I am also appalled. I used to work in the mall and I saw stuff that kids were doing that chilled me. Yes, it would seem that an entire generations of monsters have emerged. It all comes down to the fact that many parents will not teach their children. They want the state to do it and the state is not exactly teaching children to be good citizens. There is stuff that only a parent can teach a child. This is why a good moral education is needed. No, it doesn't not need to be based in religion but there needs to be some sort of moral foundation that everyone can agree on.

And are we the so called "civilized society" we claim to be?

It depends. I believe that what we see around us is a veneer. To me, that was brought home so clearly after hurricane Katrina.

And a third point: technology and modern facilities are making us lazy, isolated from the rest of the world, and limited. No elevator? No way I'm going up the stairs.

They are not making us lazy, we are already lazy. This is a good point.

You've got no facebook or tweeter? Then how the hell am I supposed to contact you? No Internet? No work son. No food at the market? I am going to starve to death. No friends? No problem, you can always hold a second life at WoW and feel accepted by a group of like-minded people on the Internet instead of looking for people like that around you or in your family (as people used to do before).

This is the saddest part. In the quest to be more accessible we have become more isolated. We fear the other in the flesh. We don't know what to say to them or to talk about with them. Hence, we flee to the internet. Don't get me wrong, the internet and other forms of technology has brought with it good things but it also has brought bad. Its a two-edged sword.

I am afraid to say that we're becoming tech-dependent. If we're taken off the PC and the TV for a few days, we'll be all bored.

We are not becoming tech-dependent, we ARE tech-dependent. We have been for several decades now. Its only our great-grandparents who might have an inkling of what it was like before many of the technological advances had come about.

I agree that if we are taken off the PC and the TV for a few days we would be bored. I used to not have a tv when my husband and I were living in our first apartment. We got used to not having it. However, we had to have our PC. Back in 2004, Florida was hit with four hurricanes. We were hit with several of the strong outer bands of two of them, putting us in tropical storm range. As a result, our power went out, it was the middle of September and temperatures were in the upper 90's with 100% humidity. The house was kinda dark and with no light (we had to safe the flashlights because we didn't have to many batteries) I could'n't just curl up with a book. We had the radio turned on to hear the latest, especially if there were any tornadoes about (we were hit by the NE quadrant of the hurricanes, the section most prone to tornadoes). Due to the stress we were under and the high temperatures, you honestly didn't want to do anything except to lay down, hoping that it will go away. As a result, we were very, very bored.

This is not progress. We life too comfortable. This is regression, the progress for the sake of laziness.

Exactly . This is a very good point and I agree 100%.

I wonder what people did before...

They worked from sun up to sun down. Kids played football or soccer, baseball, basketball, rode bikes, hiked in the woods, etc. One of the family members might play a musical instrument and everyone join in singing. Some drew, others wrote books, poems. Some put on plays, etc. There are many things you can do even now that doesn't require technology.

EDIT: Sorry for writing this so rushed, but it's late here and I need to sleep.

There is no need to apologize Zenit . They are very good points and I hope this will turn into a very good discussion.

[Loverofnature]

i am starting really really connected to you both and the rest

[Fkeu'itan]

I can see what you're saying about being technology reliant and the degeneration of society completely and I agree with most of your points, but the thing about the internet is while is can be a divisionary and isolating force, it can also lead to friendships that may not have been forged due to superficial (all be it subconciously effective) things. It can bring people together under a common interest, but within this interest there can be many, many different variations of beliefs, views, ideas etc which can only help to broaden your horizons.

Agreed there are certain parts of the internet which are somewhat rediculous... I really don't understand the whole 'social networking' craze (I don't know if I really care if you just ate a cheese sandwich or if you gave you dog a bath.) but I think you have to look at the psoitive things the internet can offer us as well.

Just look what we have here for example...