Smart phones !! really smart ?
Even
to friends who are vocal in their criticism
, I have to frequently explain reasons for not changing my television and
computer to newer versions. Collectively, I respond by telling that my basic
needs are fulfilled by the gadgets I possess and I find it unnecessary to keep
abreast with rapidly changing technology specially sometimes when it is more of
a show of status.
So
far, the phone I use, serves the purpose of receiving and placing calls and
text messages. The television I have, suffices for my moderate viewing of
cricket and news and the IBM laptop purchased some 6 years ago connect amply
with my people all around the globe.
I
may be wrong in justifying use of old TV and computer but I am quite strongly
convinced that changing my conventional phone by smart phone will have no added
advantages to my needs. Further, I equally believe that these phones are causing
enough harm to the people that sooner or later they may have to mandatorily
carry a statuary warning just as cigarettes packet do. Subject is debatable and
I have my reasons of opposing overt use of smart phones.
Ever
since people around me started using smart phones major shift in their behavior
is being noticed. After a few instances which caught my attention, I thought of
expressing my opinion on the subject broadly. Recently while waiting to board
plane back to Kuwait at the Dubai airport I counted around 40 persons in the
lounge out which 33 were engaged on their phones, 3 were dozing, three strolled leisurely watching their kids and to
my sheer delight 1 was engaged in reading a book.
While
seated in plane before taking off, majority of persons were still engaged on
phones and I am sure despite announcement to switch them off many were still on.
I have a feeling of despair at instances since striking conversations and
making friends during travels was my forte till I found no one to talk to as most
of the people prefer phone than to talk with strangers.
My
aversion to smartphone addiction multiplies manifold when during serious
professional discussions, individuals are distracted by alerts which to my understanding are no more
than Facebook or twitter notifications. I am appalled by watching people
instantly turning their attentions towards virtual friends, literally and
practically insulting the ones who are physically present there for more
important matters.
Beyond
anyone’s doubt, cellular phones are a necessity these days but I believe, being
connected to the internet through cell phones is dangerous, both, socially and
medically. In my opinion people addicted to smart phones have started living in
virtual world, detached from reality. This attribute is denting the social
network too. Even in family gatherings like marriages or even birthdays people
are seen isolating into corners being connected to faraway people some of whom
may be even imaginary.
Speaking
in term of initial scientific researches,
the Smartphone users have developed “checking habits” which is
repetitive checks of e-mail and other applications averaging 34 times in a day
which is often done within 10 minutes of each other. This eventually may lead
to obsessive compulsion which is categorized as a mental disorder.
Biologically
speaking, the 4.3 billion mobile phone users are exposed to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range, which is believed to be
harmful to human health majorly affecting the brain. Some researchers also
advocate a theory of human fertility being affected too.
Parents who flaunt their
toddlers technical abilities to handle smart phones are gravely mistaken, not even single study shows that any of today's electronic
gadgets give children an intellectual edge over their playmates who play with
balls and eye spy. Even the "educational" apps that are
"designed to boost brain growth will not turn your toddler into a genius,
not even close. There is no scientific evidence that any
"educational" app, learning system, computer program, or set of DVDs
can increase infant intellect. So instead of handing over iPhones to your
children try to engage them verbally and in physical games which would develop
your children’s emotional skills they’ll need to succeed in life. Remember, there
is no and won’t be an alternative to bedtime stories told by moms to their
growing children. Believe me, these stories drowsily narrated to us by our
mothers leave and everlasting impact on our psyche.
Children addicted to the internet
could soon be classed as mentally ill, it has been claimed. According to the
Herald Sun, 'internet-use disorder' will be included in the DSM-IV - the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - from May next year.
Conclusively; the use of
phones should be limited to bare necessities to preserve creativity of minds
and this should be propagated through every possible front for the benefit of
all.
The day that Einstein predicted, seemingly
arrived ...
Albert Einstein: "I fear the day that technology will
surpass our human interaction”.
On the way to work
College canteen
Visit to a Museum
An outing !
Cheering Home Team
On the move
For some more on the subject, watch the you tube link http://youtu.be/9IOOqF0iwTs
