A Nation of Wimps?

Parents Forum
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<p>SBMom wrote
[quote]
Cell phones seem to have created a generation of kids who consider themselves reachable 24/7.

[/quote]

Aside from the annoyance that creates for others around them, what is wrong with that? It is true that it is a different way of socializing and interacting with others ... but then, what are we doing, conversing at all hours on an internet board with strangers using pseudonyms? Aren't we just seeing the effects of widespread adaptation of a new technology? And hasn't every new technology had significant effects on the way people lived and related to one another?</p>

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<p>Not that there's something inherently "wrong" with that, but that I think one needs to guard one's private time. I think a great deal of stress comes from not enough down time & too much multi-tasking. Kids probably handle these things better than we do but I think the natural rythms of life (cycles, seasons, up times & down times) are increasingly lost, in some ways to our detriment.</p>

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<p>SMMom: I agree. Is it because we are both in CA?</p>

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<p>Maybe its because we are both <em>hippies</em> in Ca?</p>

<p>Shall we repair to a sweat lodge to discuss it?</p>

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<p>Well, I'm in general agreement with you two, and I'm a native Jerseyan. I may skip the sweat lodge, though.</p>

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<p>Garland, I notice you did not deny being a hippie. :)</p>

<p>That's okay; we could go for a hot tub instead.</p>

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<p>"Hippie" was my nickname in middle school. It was not meant as a compliment. (I was one of four McGovern supporters, and not as cool as the others).</p>

<p>The hot tub sounds fine.</p>

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<p>Yay! The cc hot tub. Can it overlook the ocean on the Big Sur coast? I bet cheers would join us if asked just for the sheer sybaritic part....</p>

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<p>"Not that there's something inherently "wrong" with that"</p>

<p>SBmom, I would go with your first instinct; there is something somewhat perverse about the "cellphone-nation."</p>

<p>I remember Thoreau thinking that the train was the worse invention in history. He opined that people would begin to know those hundreds of miles away from their own home and know little about their own neighbors. Of course, he was generally right.</p>

<p>Imagine if instead of trains, he was talking about cell phones or the internet.</p>

<p>We all become very opinionated and courageous in our virtual and impersonally brave new world</p>