Special offer

Have we reached the “Event Horizon” of technology dependence?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

Have we reached the “Event Horizon” of technology dependence?Yesterday, at an event for real estate agents, many of the attendees were having intense conversations about various technology products.

As a matter of fact, MOST of the conversations revolved around phones, tablets, and even automobile accessories for staying connected.

Somewhere in the midst of the never-ending interchange, I asked this question aloud:

“Have we reached the “Event Horizon” of technology dependence?”

Have we passed the point of no return beyond which we will eventually be sucked into the black hole of non-existence? Are we missing out on “real” life by living in a virtual non-reality?

I worry about the kids of today. I wonder what they are missing as we constantly present them with new devices. Are we fulfilling a need or are we creating a future of technology dependency that will supplant imagination and crush creativity.

There is no turning back. We have indeed come TOO far.

And that black hole is tugging at me with more force each and every day!

Comments (40)

Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

I am sure in the future there will not be much of a 'book bag' since everything is digitized in a laptop or ipad.

Apr 25, 2012 02:03 AM
Wayne Jackson
Lakeshore Realty 208-714-4109 - Hayden, ID
North Idaho Realtor, Serving Coeur dnullAlene and Hayden Lake

Richard, Thanks for the post on a subject that is more important than most realize. Research has proven that wireless radiation damages DNA. Also it has not been proven but highly suspected that this damage results in cancer 20 years later. With heavy cell phone use it could be 10 years or less. Children are much more susuptible to this damage than adults. Giving a wireless device to a young child does more long term damage than beating them but it's still legal in the US. In some Eurpeon countries cell phones are illegal for children undeer 18 and no one can have a cell phone in a school.

Here's the links to some good info on the subject.

 

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/05/20/what-s-more-important-your-cell-phone-or-your-brain.aspx

 

 http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/01/17/cell-phones-using-the-wrong-safety-standards.aspx

 

 http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/14/5-easy-ways-to-reduce-your-cell-phone-exposure.aspx

Apr 25, 2012 02:07 AM
Jo Olson
HOMEFRONT Realty - Kettle Falls, WA
Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt

I am really concerned with how the next generation will miss out on so much around them with their nose in all of the social media trap.  When 3 year olds are playing games on iPhones instead of coloring in a color book it is time to check ourselves!  Its a good thing my boys are grown.  I would be the Mom with the "No, you can't have a phone, or a FB page!

Apr 25, 2012 02:49 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

And I"m finding more and more agents are writing "text" for combo code in their listing sheets.  And then they text the code back to me.  No one talks anymore.  Communication is a keypad now. 

Apr 25, 2012 03:22 AM
Reba Haas
Team Reba of RE/MAX Metro Eastside www.TeamReba.com - Bellevue, WA
Team Reba, CDPE

I still find that making a phone call is the fastest way to communicate MOST of the time, although for those people who HIDE behind technology, it gets harder each year. You wouldn't think with the way people are today that only 9 years ago, when I got licensed, agents used to yell at me for emailing them. Now I can barely get them to pick up a phone unless it's for texting.

When I worked in the tech world they called it "planned obsolescence" and I would say now that we're doing it to ourselves now instead of just with devices.  I do worry about what we're going to do with all those plastic devices and the hazardous materials in some of them in the future if they're not getting recycled properly.

Apr 25, 2012 04:29 AM
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Richard, I just saw a grade school near where I live was trying to equip all the kids with IPads, I think we have reached the no turning back place. I still like to pick up the phone and make calls once in awhile. LOL.

Apr 25, 2012 05:00 AM
John F Muscarella
RIVER FARM PROPERTIES, LLC - Venice, FL
Broker/Owner, Venice, FL, Florida's Suncoast

I am a technology user and try to always find the reason to use new technology in my business and life.  I have benefitted with being more productive and better informed and think I know where to get off and enjoy the personal and private side of life.  I tend to see technology on a continuum.  Where it always will evolve and change and affect our lives and existence.  History has shown us that it will just continue without us.

Apr 25, 2012 05:50 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Richard,  Our kids have become so tech savvy - but at what price ?!?  It also is showing up in the health of kids.

Apr 25, 2012 07:08 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Linda...

It just one more way that we become dependent. THX.

Richie...

Wow, sounds like too many people cannot get away from it. Thanks.

Sandy...

I honestly don't think that it will swing back. Thanks for jumping in!

Tammy...

I love real book. Can you believe that I still have my high school and college textbooks? NO electronic device is going to last THAT long!!! THX

Anthony...

And that is NOT a good thing. Thanks.

Apr 25, 2012 08:07 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

In this post you have written exactly what I worry about - thank you for expressing it so well.  I am also glad to see that I'm not the only one who thinks the world is going crazy - in a techie sort of way.  I don't think there is any turning back.

 

Apr 25, 2012 09:43 AM
Kathryn Maguire
GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA
Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

I just had a moment like that this hour...sending purchase offers that are signed electronically, scanned and sent to the other agent...all because no one wants to take the time to meet face to face.  I miss that!

Apr 25, 2012 10:51 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Richard - you asked

  • "Are we fulfilling a need .... "  
    • is there really a need our generation managed the better part of our lives with out it  
  • "are we creating a future of technology dependency that will supplant imagination and crush creativity"
    • we just may be ..... I heard the other day of a class using facebook as a teaching/learning tool

Apr 25, 2012 11:55 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

I'm of the notice that often technology  encourages creativity instead of crushing it?  Movie and Video creation, graphic design, publishing a book ...  things have got much simpler and easier in many ways.  

Apr 25, 2012 12:16 PM
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

I totally get what you are saying. So much is lacking for our kids with the technology they depend on, yet they also have so much more access to more than we did. It's kind of a trade off, I guess. Once we have it, there's no going back. I sometimes think it's too bad it's gone so far.

Gretchen

Apr 25, 2012 12:19 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Richard- you have gone inside my head and read my thoughts!  My husband and I  will drive through various neighborhoods on sunny days here and wonder where the children are.  Why aren't they outside playing.  And yes, I'm concerned about what will happen to the creativity of the future. Where will we get the Disney's and Spielberg's?  And do you think anyone will be able to actually spell" Thank You" instead of "thx"  in the future?

Apr 25, 2012 01:01 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Richard - I think I'm being tugged towards the edges or maybe I'm already in the middle of the vortex.

Apr 25, 2012 02:39 PM
Kevin Sembrat
Diversified RCS Inc; http://www.ManhattanPropertiesGroup.com - Manhattan, NY

Richard -- you read my mind! I agree whole-heartedly! --Kevin

Apr 25, 2012 03:46 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Richard, I don't think that we have anything to worry about due to the technology, using these tools will allow the next generation to go places we never dreamed of.

However, we do still need to take parental responsibility for what our kids participate in, throw away the video games, buy them productivity and educational software.  The problem only surfaces when parents forget who is supposed to be in charge.

Apr 25, 2012 08:14 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Richard, my wife nearly ran over a college student this week who was so focused on his smart-phone that he didn't see the oncoming traffic.  Oy!

Apr 26, 2012 11:48 AM
Leslie G. Rojohn
MoonDancer Realty - Sylva, NC
GRI, ABR ~ MoonDancer Realty

I'm with you on this Richard. I still have an 8 yr old cell phone with a pull up antenae and it works fine for just making a phone call.  I keep my appointments on a white board calendar in my office and the rest of the stuff I need, I keep in my still highly functioning brain.

I'm not convinced that some of the increase in autism might not  be due to the almost from birth exposure to TV and videos. Have you ever watched children and even adults as they watch TV or if there is one on at a resturant.  Their faces go blank, their mouths drop open slightly, they have to be almost forcibly returned to a conversation. 

It's all very depressing and scary to watch as our species turns into vegetables, totally dependent on technology instead of actual human interaction. Like the song "Memories" says... "If you touch me, You'll understand what happiness is. Look a new day has begun."

Apr 28, 2012 01:14 AM