I criticise a lot of the stuff that's on TV nowadays, but from time to time, I really enjoy those absolute garbage tier television programmes like airport 'nothing to declare' or police road chase shows. My current show of choice is people on Netflix building tiny houses. They honestly just make for great low effort viewing if you're feeling down or having a rough day. I used to watch them with my late gran too, so they're kind of nostalgic in a way. I doubt many people really know seeing as I tend to do all my viewing in private, but it's not like I hide it or anything.
Q - Do you think technology in the past 20 years has changed society as a whole for better or for worse? What's your reasoning?
Well that's a very difficult question to answer. We have seen a real democratisation of information over the past 25 years which has made it more difficult for governments and a select few to control the general opinion. However this has also led to the destabilisation of entire regions, creating failed states, vast humanitarian crisis', and general insecurity. It has helped divide nations to the extreme, allowing people to ironically create vast echo chambers which amplifies their own extremism distancing them more and more from the rest.
With the rise of social media, we have also entered an era where anyone can become a star. The rise of the influencer has given way to a generation that is not only incredibly vein, but has a public of millions to advertise themselves to. I work in a field related to social media and deal a lot with what is popular, and at risk of sounding like an edgy 14 year old or a bitter old man, I have to say that what is popular is so mind bogglingly stupid and vein that if I had a kid I probably wouldn't allow them to use these websites.
It's not all doom and gloom though. Technology has improved and will continue to improve our personal comfort. The extreme ease in exchanging information has also led us in to an era where ideas can be discussed and "improved" for better or for worse on a global scale. It's helping improve the life conditions of billions of people, lifting them out of poverty. It gives people an easier access to education and learning new skills. For better or for worse the average person is also a lot more socially conscience.
I will be honest though, I do personally feel like the mental well being of society as a whole was better when the world wasn't so connected. Internet, smartphones, computers etc are wonderful things however their omnipresence has made it impossible to take a break from it all. Being constantly bombarded with information has led to a level of paranoia in society that would probably give the red scare a run for its' money. Social media has led to a generation feeling incredibly insecure too with studies showing that the more time you spend on them generally leads to a decrease in your self-image.
Most likely the technology we have is a wonderful thing but we just use it irresponsibly. I do miss the period of the mid to late 2000s though, where you had easy access to it but it was also easy to take a break too, you just had to turn off your computer and go outside.
Q - Who would win in a fight, my dad or your dad? Personally I think my dad could batta your dad
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