I feel sorry for kids my own age - Page 3

[winston89]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 12:37am

I am not against texting at all. I do it just like any college age kid my own age. But, I do think that there is a point where it becomes absurd. My brothers and I would often laugh at the fact that there are kids out there who would text someone that is in the same room as them etc when they could just talk to them.

I remember there was one time when my brother and I were having an IM conversation when we were both home while we were in our rooms. We laughed about how stupid that was later on, only because our rooms are right across from one another and it's not even ten feet apart.

I understand that there is good in texting and that it is something that I do. However, I guess it is this constant need for people to have a phone that can text, IM, check your facebook or twitter, send email, cook pancakes and scratch your balls. That gets to me. No one needs to have that many features on one phone. It is okay to just be alone for a bit and to do something that is going to keep you away form people for awhile. A majority of teens my own age need to realize that there is no harm that is going to come from not talking to your BFF for a couple of hours.

I do find it funny that there is someone worse then me and that is my dad. He has a blackberry that he uses as both a work and a personal phone. And, since he uses his work email as his personal email account as well he is always on that thing. I can't count the number of times that we would be out at dinner just the two of us and it would only be a matter of time before he whipped out his blackberry. It is crazy.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 12:39am

It's only a matter of time before they uncover some texting-related injury, like Carpel Tunnel syndrome.

Isn't there already the supposed Blackberry Thumb?

Jane - I don't see how you can extend texting because you are bored while running on a glorified conveyor belt to texting while you're with someone because you're bored of them and want to talk to someone else. I mean, are you really equating a treadmill to a person? Aside from the fact that, I'm sorry, treadmills are boring, thankfully we don't have to worry about potentially being rude to them. And if you get bored enough to whip out your phone while running in place and looking at the walls, that doesn't mean you're going to do the same while spending time with friends.

I can't see being coordinated enough to text and run at the same time, but if someone does, then why not? People listen to music and watch t.v. to keep themselves entertained while they work out. Why is texting, if that's what you want to do and can do so safely, any different? I understand if you feel that someone should be fully engaged with what they're doing when they're working out, and in the moment and all that, but... that's the kind of thing where I feel like to each his own, you know?

Updated On: 4/6/09 at 12:39 AM

[etoile]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 1:43am

"I can't count the number of times that we would be out at dinner just the two of us and it would only be a matter of time before he whipped out his blackberry. It is crazy."

No, not crazy - just rude, but it does go a long way in offering insight.

I remember the good old days when you wanted to talk to someone in another room you just off your ass and walked in the other room. Actual interaction complete with emotion, body language, and vocal intonation. To me, unless there's a disability involved, anything less would be rude.

[danmag]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 7:32am

LOL Emcee! If I tried to text and run on a treadmill, there is no doubt I would go sailing right off the back of it! I don't possess that ability to multi-task!

[StockardFan]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 7:56am

I couldn't text and run at the same time either.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 8:28am

That would be difficult for me. I can't even walk and text at the same time. I've tried it, but it's just too awkward, and I'm afraid of walking into people or something else. LOL!

And yes, I agree and do text sometimes, but there is a time and place for it. If it is taking over your entire life, than at least cut back on it.

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 9:49am

"I don't see how you can extend texting because you are bored while running on a glorified conveyor belt to texting while you're with someone because you're bored of them and want to talk to someone else. I mean, are you really equating a treadmill to a person? "

In my post, I clearly said that it is sad that a texter must always be contacting another person, even when they are working out. My point is similar to what Winston said-these people can't seem to stand to be alone with themselves for an instant. Yes, that's very very very sad. Even pathetic.

If you're bored, listen to music, watch the tv, read.

Yes, I most certainly extended it to texting while you're with another person.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 10:13am

What I don't understand is why you care if someone is listening to music, watching tv, or texting. You said yourself the texting only bothers you because it affects you when people are not listening to you or something. How does someone texting on the treadmill affect you? Why do you care? Just because someone gets bored on a treadmill in no way means they will get bored with another person. It's a ridiculous comparison to make. Machine =/= person.

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 10:19am

".What I don't understand is why you care if someone is listening to music, watching tv, or texting."

It's true, you didn't understand my point.

I did not say it bothers me if someone texts while on a treadmill. I SAID it is sad that they can't be alone for a moment.
I suggested music, tv, or reading as alternates to texting.

When someone has to be texting another person while walking, crossing a street, driving, visiting someone else, working out, dining in a restaurant, you name it-that's pretty sad. Can't be alone with yourself for an instant?

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 10:41am

i feel sorry for people who know winston too.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 10:53am

LOL Emcee! If I tried to text and run on a treadmill, there is no doubt I would go sailing right off the back of it! I don't possess that ability to multi-task!

Me too. I can text and walk, but something about the concentration treadmills trick me into thinking they require would definitely result in a few bruises.

Jane - it's fine if you think it's sad that a person might need constant contact with others even while, for example, working out, but I still think it's a little bit hyperbolic to equate a person and a treadmill. The former point, I can at least see where you're coming from. The latter is still a stretch to me.

As for the question of why, I think you have to, at least in fairness, consider that not ALL texting is social and just a way to alleviate boredom. I had a job recently where, for many reasons, communication between my boss and I was primarily by text and SMS. She required that we be in almost constant communication -- and if texts weren't answered quickly enough for her, it was like the world was ending. I know one of the big points against texting is, "What could you possibly have to say that needs to be dealt with right now?" And that's one of the instances that comes to mind, for me at least. No matter what I was doing, if something came through from her, I HAD to answer it right away, as fast as I possibly could, no matter where I was or what time of day -- whether I was sleeping, shopping, walking down the street, yes, or talking to somebody else, actually on a shift or not. I can't tell you how many times I had to use the phrase, "I'm sorry, I have to respond to this." This was a crazy, crazy, crazy job and probably unlike anything I will ever do again, but just an example to play a little bit of devil's advocate, since I spent six months walking around being that asshole with the cell phone in one hand and the company Blackberry in the other. I can text at an alarmingly fast rate now, thanks to that gig.

Updated On: 4/6/09 at 10:53 AM

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 11:14am

"Jane - it's fine if you think it's sad that a person might need constant contact with others even while, for example, working out, but I still think it's a little bit hyperbolic to equate a person and a treadmill. The former point, I can at least see where you're coming from. The latter is still a stretch to me."

Ok, once more! The thing that equates the two is the need to be in constant contact with someone else, no matter what you're doing. Why does it bother me? Because it's a statement about what our society is turning into.

I think if people are so bored with life to the extent that no matter what they're doing, it's too boring to be without texting, than that is SAD. And it appears to me that this is the case, since there is texting going on all the time. I'm sorry for you (the general you, not anyone in particular.)

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 11:24am

I want to add something. I never specified "treadmill," although that is included. That was mentioned by others here. What I see in my gym, are people in the middle of a set on the weight machines, and when they get a text message, they stop the set and start reading and texting. SAD. Can't even do twelve reps. Too boring!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 12:00pm

The thing that equates the two is the need to be in constant contact with someone else, no matter what you're doing.

Right, no, I get that. It didn't come across before. Drawing the connection by the need to be in constant contact is different than suggesting that person = machine, which is what you had seemed to be saying that made me go, "huh?" And while I disagree that wanting to text while you work out is a huge problem, I DO see what you're saying about needing to maintain communication across various tasks. I do, I promise, there was a chapter in my thesis on this.

What I see in my gym, are people in the middle of a set on the weight machines, and when they get a text message, they stop the set and start reading and texting.

See, now that, I agree, is ridiculous. Unless it's somehow dire information, there's no need to STOP what you're doing. If you can somehow read and respond while you're exercising, though, whatever.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 4/6/09 at 12:04pm

I text more than I make phone calls. My closest friends and my sister all live in other states. I like being able to send a quick message when I want to tell them something- news, mudane details about my day and sometimes just to touch base when I'm thinking of them. It's less intrusive than a phone call, but more convenient than email. It helps me keep in touch- not 24/7 because I "can't be alone", but enough that those most important to me are still a part of my daily life.

Texting during class is wrong, but it's no worse than passing notes, which many here were probably guilty of at one point or another in their own school days.