posted January 05, 2014 02:08 PM            

The documentary is not for people who have trigger issues with losing loved ones, so please be aware before watching. It's sad and disturbing, but not TOO graphic. If this hits too close to home for you, please do not watch it.

I think the worker who was searching through the forest had some wise words to say about people being disconnected from face-to-face interaction with other human beings in the world we live in, and how much we really need that in our lives.

I am fortunate, because I have always enjoyed the people I've worked with, had significant others and friends or acquaintances to talk to, and I now have my family very close.

But I think there are times when we all feel a little bit disconnected, especially after spending too much time online.

It's easy to poke fun at figures like "Comic Book Guy" from the Simpsons, but...there are so many people out there who are probably very depressed. Do you think spending too much time online increases depression? I have generally dismissed this as something I don't care to address, but I'm starting to wonder if it affects us in ways that we don't even imagine.

I just actually said to my husband this morning "I think we're both addicted to the internet."
I've read articles about people actually experiencing "withdrawal symptoms" when forced to go without their smart phones for even a week--anxiety, etc.

What do you guys think?
We don't really limit our time online in our household, and although my son is only allowed to watch mostly PBS shows with a few "good moral" cartoons from overseas, there is usually background noise in our home from the television or the computer.

(Here is the link) http://youtu.be/4FDSdg09df8

posted January 05, 2014 03:40 PM            

Suspect it's b/c a pixelated image, no matter how "hi-def" it is, does not convey emotional reactions accurately or even in a comforting manner.

A neck up video image while chatting with someone does not show feet shuffling a bit, or a hand raise, or how quickly someone smiles or frowns at what was just said.

posted January 05, 2014 03:42 PM            

Er,um hour

Day

posted January 05, 2014 03:49 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by CatMote:
ill be honest. i think im addicted to the internet. i hate it. im always online, facebook is always open in my tabs. i always have my phone on me. actually, i feel like going to the store and leaving my phone here. just to see what its like.

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This is one of the reasons why I don't have a smart phone, it takes you out of the moment and sort of hijacks your life with either other people's content, or some media content.

posted January 05, 2014 05:10 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by YoursTrulyAlways:
I get my fill of Internet depression from LL. I come to LL to prevent myself from being too happy all the time.

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posted January 05, 2014 05:11 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Ellynlvx:
Just a little late to pick-up cause I have to have my "Talk to Violet" minute

Er,um hour

Day

Okay, maybe a little bit, but only on LindaLand!

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posted January 05, 2014 05:13 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by CatMote:
ill be honest. i think im addicted to the internet. i hate it. im always online, facebook is always open in my tabs. i always have my phone on me. actually, i feel like going to the store and leaving my phone here. just to see what its like.

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Seriously, yes! I take time out to play with my son, but while I'm doing the dishes or whatever, my laptop is usually sitting on the counter across from me, and I glance at whatever's going on as I pass by it.

Whenever I'm doing something fun with him, I end up trying to take a picture of him with my phone (to post on Facebook), and it just...absolutely ruins the moment. It's like a huge wet blanket on whatever fun we're having. The absolute opposite of spontaneous.

posted January 05, 2014 05:20 PM            

Anyway, here it is. If you watch it, just know that it is pretty sad and somewhat disturbing. But I think that the worker in the documentary is a wise man.
http://youtu.be/4FDSdg09df8

Anyway, my husband and I have been talking about this for a while, but not really as much as we did this morning.

I feel as though so much distraction is like something very insidious. It extends itself out to areas of our lives (perhaps) that we're not even aware of, I think.

Like the chatter that Buddhists talk about (not that I know much about that, as Buddhism isn't really my area of expertise). Our minds are NEVER quiet when we use these devices excessively (and I think that it requires very little to be excessive with the internet and television).
So when we're trying to set goals for ourselves or do other beneficial things, it seems as though that "chatter" works against us. We forget about small but important goals--eating healthier, being more healthy in general, doing more quality things with our lives.

Those were our perceptions, anyway.
We're now putting out the blueprints for how to define our internet/television time and try to have a less "chattering" household.
We don't watch a lot of television, but there are usually family friendly cartoons going on in the background. I like it much better when our house is quiet, but filled with the sounds of us playing or talking to each other.

posted January 05, 2014 05:54 PM            

if you let this talk spoil our friendship with your constant guilty pleasure vibes, I am going to have to cut you off the in-real-life distractions that keep you from visiting with me.

posted January 05, 2014 06:09 PM            

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Want To Ask Any Question About Bible Prophecy? Go For it. It is Free, of course.

posted January 05, 2014 06:28 PM            

And I don't think people would get too into the internet without enough human contact unless they were prone to that anyway. The new generation is completely plugged in, I think they interact more online (including phones) than off but they're not deprived zombies. The real problem is actually that the net has facilitated socialization to the point that rumor campaigns are much more devastating now because it alerts everyone instantly how to treat a person and how to barrage a bullied victim when the victim normally would be able to escape (if only for a little while). And seeing the human face of a bullied victim isn't going to stop that cyberbullying it only opens the door to more abuse and even violence (which might be recorded on cam to show off to others).

posted January 05, 2014 06:29 PM            

Also - we're addicted to everything to some extent - but that's normal. If someone took my iPhone or my tv or whatever else I would also suffer anxiety.
It is about wanting to be able to communicate and interact and also access entertainment.
What else is there to do? Lol
Life is work and entertainment and interaction with others and more work and so on

posted January 05, 2014 06:35 PM            

quote:

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nd I don't think people would get too into the internet without enough human contact unless they were prone to that anyway. The new generation is completely plugged in, I think they interact more online (including phones) than off but they're not deprived zombies.

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posted January 05, 2014 06:56 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Violets:
Seriously, yes! I take time out to play with my son, but while I'm doing the dishes or whatever, my laptop is usually sitting on the counter across from me, and I glance at whatever's going on as I pass by it.

Whenever I'm doing something fun with him, I end up trying to take a picture of him with my phone (to post on Facebook), and it just...absolutely ruins the moment. It's like a huge wet blanket on whatever fun we're having. The absolute opposite of spontaneous.

I've actually noticed this when our family goes to the beach, or hiking somewhere beautiful, etc. Not so much with the phone thing, but with cameras as well. We really enjoy photography, but it just feels like...we are not enjoying the beauty in the truest way possible. We are enjoying it but are distracting ourselves at the same time, which detracts from the joy of a beautiful place.

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Exactly, there is a balance b/t being Thoreauvian, and being a total tech zombie.

I'd go further and suggest that such instant access to other people can be harmful as people, being verbs, do tend to get caught in moments and say and do things they regret later on, but once communicated it is always communicated so to speak.

There is very little time for introspection and courtesy etc in this situation.

I'm somewhat surprised there is not a field of psychic ability and endeavor that centers on electronic communication "reading"

posted January 05, 2014 06:57 PM            

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Originally posted by Odette:
Exactly. Like I can go for a run and check FB on my phone or chat to someone while I'm on my way elsewhere. I'm on my phone as we speak in the city waiting for someone. If I wasn't posting this Id just be bored twiddling my thumbs waiting lol and staring at ppl.

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posted January 05, 2014 07:08 PM            

quote:

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I'd go further and suggest that such instant access to other people can be harmful

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