Tools Of Ignorance

Oops, this is not the Samsung Galaxy Note II

Yesterday afternoon I traded in my old Motorola Droid X for a new Samsung Galaxy Note II. It was a big purchase for me but I spent a month or so researching phones and more than a few moments thinking about what I use mine for and what sort of features I really need.

Since it wasn’t an impulse buy I walked away from the store feeling good about my purchase and have been more than pleased with my new phone.

It is powerful, easy to use and has given me every indication that it is going to exceed my expectations. If every purchase I make in the future yields this sort of return I will be a very happy man.

That is unlikely to happen, but that is ok. Life is filled with moments where you are happy with your decisions and moments where you realize it would have been easier to hit yourself in the head with a baseball bat.

Technology- A Double Edged Sword

My children are growing up in a world that is so very similar to the one I was raised in, yet so very different. Technological advances have shrunk the world and made it possible to do things we could only dream about.

I remember when my friends and I used to talk about how cool it would be to a watch like Dick Tracy that would allow us to talk to each other. We watched James Bond movies, Star Trek and Star Wars and dreamed of the day when we would have some of those cool “toys” to use too.

Well, those days are here.

We can use our cellphones for video conferences from virtually anywhere in the world. We can make the kind of home movies that make the old Super 8 footage look like Civil War relics and then point, click and share those with millions without effort.

Yet there is a cost to all of this and I am not sure if we even know what it is.

Constantly Connected

Our phones and devices are electronic tethers that keep us constantly connected to a world that doesn’t always need our attention. Beeps, whistles and assorted vibrations let me know every time someone responds to something I have tweeted, written or commented upon.

This isn’t always such a good thing.

Clients, bosses and colleagues have come to expect almost instant responses to their comments and questions. It is not much different in our personal lives either.

When we call, text or email family/friends small delays in a response make us wonder what is wrong. If we don’t hear back from them within a short time we fear something has happened or ask ourselves what we did to upset them.

It has become harder to maintain a healthy balance.

From a related but different perspective I have begun to wonder about the impact of technology on our memories. People don’t spend time memorizing telephone numbers and all sorts of other information because they don’t see a need.

If it is stored in the cloud and accessible by phone/tablet/computer than why do we need to fill our helps with such stuff. It is only when we lose access to our data that we start to become concerned.

Awareness

I don’t hate computers or cellphones. I am not upset by technological advances or crying wolf because I don’t believe the sky is falling.

If I am preaching anything here it is to be aware of whether we control our devices or allow our devices to control us. I like using my head and try to keep my mind sharp by making a point to remember things.

I like using the tools that technology has given us. Overall they have been a gift and like any other tool their usefulness has been predicated upon the skill of the user.

Still, I can’t help but wonder a bit about where things are going and what this means for my kids.

What do you think?

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By Joshua Wilner

Hi, I am Josh Wilner and I am happy that you have decided to visit my corner of cyberspace. I am a writer/marketer/friend and family man. My professional background includes more than twenty years in working with businesses to help them do a better job of connecting with their existing and prospective customers. More specifically I have worked with companies of all sizes from the Fortune 500 to the new start up to help them build, develop and grow their social media and marketing plans. I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy music, reading, writing, playing sports and laughing.

8 comments

  1. lisabgerber – Sandpoint, Idaho – Founder and owner of Big Leap Creative, storyteller for organizations. Digital marketing strategist. On the perpetual search to balance happiness with ambition. Mountain girl, wife and mother of two beautiful dogs.
    Lisa Gerber says:

    The Jetsons! I loved the Jetsons, and now we can buy groceries from our home. 🙂 well, I think you nailed it – the balance is in controlling or devices and not letting them control us. I have to draw lines otherwise I get in trouble with my spouse. 🙂

    Reply
    1. TheJackB – Someone complained that this page doesn’t tell you what to expect to find here in this blog so I aim to rectify this with the next line. I am a father who writes about life, parenting, business, politics and fiction. I don’t use an editorial calendar because I don’t map out what I am going to write that far in advance. The primary focus will be on things that relate to children and parenting. But the nifty thing about that is that encompasses a wide range of things. Sometimes I work with companies on their PR/Marketing efforts. If they provide products or services I will disclose it. Here is an incomplete list of companies that I am currently or have recently worked with: Nintendo, Philips Norelco, Subway, Frigidaire and Mattel. Want to know more about me, keep reading. If I wanted to provide a professional description it would looks similar to this: Jack has a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from California State University Northridge. He has been writing for print and web publications for more than twenty years, covering a wide range of topics including: business, technology, parenting, politics, education, sports and religion. That is far too serious so I prefer to use something like: The Jack B. is a writer and author of 39 unpublished books and three screenplays. A former athlete and would be superhero he still fights for truth, justice and the American Way. Though he may look like a grown man, don’t fool yourself he is still a boy at heart. When he is not engaged in Walter Mitty like fantasies he is a husband, father and friend and blogs at TheJackB. Hmm…obviously I have since moved from Random Thoughts over to this place, but that is ok. This page is a work in progress which is a good description for me. I’ll probably tweak this on a regular basis so feel free to keep checking back in because you never know what might show up. I am a prolific writer and update frequently so don’t forget to scroll down the page to see what nugget of wisdom you just might have missed. Here is a short selection of posts to get you started. A Father Describes Parenting A Father’s Burden How Sister’s Helped to Train A Father of “Daddy’s Girl” Inside the Blogger’s Studio- A Dream, Er Nightmare The GermoPhobe What I Dream About I am In Love Becoming a Dad Dad’s Most Important Job A Decade of Dad Grandpa Donuts Why Your Post Sucks and Everyone Hates Your Blog A Letter To My Children- Things That Matter A Letter To My Children-2011 Dad Balances Fear Versus Reality Q&A With Daddy Blogger JackB Save The Last Dance For Me- 75 Years of Marriage An Uncertain Certainty Four Generations & A Wedding The Best Thing My Father Ever Said To Me 1 Foolproof Way To Become a Better Writer The Story Of A House- The Final Days He Died A Hero Twenty-Five Links That Will Make You A Better Writer/Blogger Thanks for coming by, I hope you like it. If you want to reach me use the contact form or try talk-to-jacknow-at-gmail-dotcom You can also find more information by clicking About Me and reading my profile there. Also, I encourage you to sign up for my newsletter using the form on the top right hand side of the page.
      Josh says:

      Hi Lisa,

      Too much tech will keep you away from the slopes and sharing a good bottle of wine. 😉

      Reply

  2. Hi Josh

    Technology…good and bad for sure. Okay I am probably about the only one in the universe that doesn’t own a cell phone (my husband has one). Don’t want one either, sure I can see how they can come in handy. I have On Star on my car if I am in trouble. The rest of the time I am out with hubby or at home.

    The advantages I see for having a cell phone is if you have it plugged into your ear and you can run around talking to yourself and people don’t think you are weird! Before compact little cell phones, people would give a lot of room for people that would be talking and no one was beside them! LOL

    Gee, I have enough problem understanding the workings of a computer, let alone the new remote for the TV. Maybe some day I will get with the rest of the world on this, who knows.

    But joking aside I am amazed at the extreme advances in technology, we have surely come along way even in the last 10 years.

    Mary

    Reply
    1. TheJackB – Someone complained that this page doesn’t tell you what to expect to find here in this blog so I aim to rectify this with the next line. I am a father who writes about life, parenting, business, politics and fiction. I don’t use an editorial calendar because I don’t map out what I am going to write that far in advance. The primary focus will be on things that relate to children and parenting. But the nifty thing about that is that encompasses a wide range of things. Sometimes I work with companies on their PR/Marketing efforts. If they provide products or services I will disclose it. Here is an incomplete list of companies that I am currently or have recently worked with: Nintendo, Philips Norelco, Subway, Frigidaire and Mattel. Want to know more about me, keep reading. If I wanted to provide a professional description it would looks similar to this: Jack has a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from California State University Northridge. He has been writing for print and web publications for more than twenty years, covering a wide range of topics including: business, technology, parenting, politics, education, sports and religion. That is far too serious so I prefer to use something like: The Jack B. is a writer and author of 39 unpublished books and three screenplays. A former athlete and would be superhero he still fights for truth, justice and the American Way. Though he may look like a grown man, don’t fool yourself he is still a boy at heart. When he is not engaged in Walter Mitty like fantasies he is a husband, father and friend and blogs at TheJackB. Hmm…obviously I have since moved from Random Thoughts over to this place, but that is ok. This page is a work in progress which is a good description for me. I’ll probably tweak this on a regular basis so feel free to keep checking back in because you never know what might show up. I am a prolific writer and update frequently so don’t forget to scroll down the page to see what nugget of wisdom you just might have missed. Here is a short selection of posts to get you started. A Father Describes Parenting A Father’s Burden How Sister’s Helped to Train A Father of “Daddy’s Girl” Inside the Blogger’s Studio- A Dream, Er Nightmare The GermoPhobe What I Dream About I am In Love Becoming a Dad Dad’s Most Important Job A Decade of Dad Grandpa Donuts Why Your Post Sucks and Everyone Hates Your Blog A Letter To My Children- Things That Matter A Letter To My Children-2011 Dad Balances Fear Versus Reality Q&A With Daddy Blogger JackB Save The Last Dance For Me- 75 Years of Marriage An Uncertain Certainty Four Generations & A Wedding The Best Thing My Father Ever Said To Me 1 Foolproof Way To Become a Better Writer The Story Of A House- The Final Days He Died A Hero Twenty-Five Links That Will Make You A Better Writer/Blogger Thanks for coming by, I hope you like it. If you want to reach me use the contact form or try talk-to-jacknow-at-gmail-dotcom You can also find more information by clicking About Me and reading my profile there. Also, I encourage you to sign up for my newsletter using the form on the top right hand side of the page.
      Josh says:

      Hi Mary,

      I understand why some people don’t want cellphones and sometimes I want to go back to the time when I didn’t.

      But I love mine because it is really a portable computer that provides more freedom than it takes. It is simply a wonderful tool that I am grateful for. It contains my calendar, music, movies, phone/address book and so much more.

      It is also something I use for writing. I take notes, write posts and snap pictures. If I didn’t have one I know I would get used to it and that I would be just fine.

      Still, I admit I have no interest in going back that way.

      Reply

  3. Congrats on the new phone! You should have typed this on your note and gone like “I typed this on my note!”

    The Galaxy Note II is a great choice. It is huge!

    I think we let technology rule us far too much. We get carried away and let it do everything for us. It is all about how comfortable are you with it being a part of your life and how much!

    Reply
    1. TheJackB – Someone complained that this page doesn’t tell you what to expect to find here in this blog so I aim to rectify this with the next line. I am a father who writes about life, parenting, business, politics and fiction. I don’t use an editorial calendar because I don’t map out what I am going to write that far in advance. The primary focus will be on things that relate to children and parenting. But the nifty thing about that is that encompasses a wide range of things. Sometimes I work with companies on their PR/Marketing efforts. If they provide products or services I will disclose it. Here is an incomplete list of companies that I am currently or have recently worked with: Nintendo, Philips Norelco, Subway, Frigidaire and Mattel. Want to know more about me, keep reading. If I wanted to provide a professional description it would looks similar to this: Jack has a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from California State University Northridge. He has been writing for print and web publications for more than twenty years, covering a wide range of topics including: business, technology, parenting, politics, education, sports and religion. That is far too serious so I prefer to use something like: The Jack B. is a writer and author of 39 unpublished books and three screenplays. A former athlete and would be superhero he still fights for truth, justice and the American Way. Though he may look like a grown man, don’t fool yourself he is still a boy at heart. When he is not engaged in Walter Mitty like fantasies he is a husband, father and friend and blogs at TheJackB. Hmm…obviously I have since moved from Random Thoughts over to this place, but that is ok. This page is a work in progress which is a good description for me. I’ll probably tweak this on a regular basis so feel free to keep checking back in because you never know what might show up. I am a prolific writer and update frequently so don’t forget to scroll down the page to see what nugget of wisdom you just might have missed. Here is a short selection of posts to get you started. A Father Describes Parenting A Father’s Burden How Sister’s Helped to Train A Father of “Daddy’s Girl” Inside the Blogger’s Studio- A Dream, Er Nightmare The GermoPhobe What I Dream About I am In Love Becoming a Dad Dad’s Most Important Job A Decade of Dad Grandpa Donuts Why Your Post Sucks and Everyone Hates Your Blog A Letter To My Children- Things That Matter A Letter To My Children-2011 Dad Balances Fear Versus Reality Q&A With Daddy Blogger JackB Save The Last Dance For Me- 75 Years of Marriage An Uncertain Certainty Four Generations & A Wedding The Best Thing My Father Ever Said To Me 1 Foolproof Way To Become a Better Writer The Story Of A House- The Final Days He Died A Hero Twenty-Five Links That Will Make You A Better Writer/Blogger Thanks for coming by, I hope you like it. If you want to reach me use the contact form or try talk-to-jacknow-at-gmail-dotcom You can also find more information by clicking About Me and reading my profile there. Also, I encourage you to sign up for my newsletter using the form on the top right hand side of the page.
      Josh says:

      Hi Hajra,

      I haven’t blogged from the phone yet but I will. I love it.

      We are in agreement about everything here.

      Reply

  4. Hi Joshua

    Firstly congratulations on your new phone, which is an excellent buy, no second thought to it.
    You have rightly said that technology is a double edged sword, on one hand it has given the freedom to the left part of the brain which in coming few centuries can become a vestigial organ but on the other hand it has made us a slave of our bosses or customers who are now expecting results at the speed of light, can trace us anywhere and anytime.

    At one time of my career I could recall how I was able to solve simple Math questions like 58*64 very quickly, now I immediately jump to the calculator on my laptop or phone.

    My children are borne in an era where there Facebook is a part of their curriculum it appears, most of the times they are on other social networking website as well. I feel even if their left brain wont get developed their networking skills surely be.
    We are on technology expressway where there is no red light, whosoever will try to stop, will be thrown away or discarded.
    Thanks for your great post.

    Thanks
    Sapna

    Reply
    1. TheJackB – Someone complained that this page doesn’t tell you what to expect to find here in this blog so I aim to rectify this with the next line. I am a father who writes about life, parenting, business, politics and fiction. I don’t use an editorial calendar because I don’t map out what I am going to write that far in advance. The primary focus will be on things that relate to children and parenting. But the nifty thing about that is that encompasses a wide range of things. Sometimes I work with companies on their PR/Marketing efforts. If they provide products or services I will disclose it. Here is an incomplete list of companies that I am currently or have recently worked with: Nintendo, Philips Norelco, Subway, Frigidaire and Mattel. Want to know more about me, keep reading. If I wanted to provide a professional description it would looks similar to this: Jack has a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from California State University Northridge. He has been writing for print and web publications for more than twenty years, covering a wide range of topics including: business, technology, parenting, politics, education, sports and religion. That is far too serious so I prefer to use something like: The Jack B. is a writer and author of 39 unpublished books and three screenplays. A former athlete and would be superhero he still fights for truth, justice and the American Way. Though he may look like a grown man, don’t fool yourself he is still a boy at heart. When he is not engaged in Walter Mitty like fantasies he is a husband, father and friend and blogs at TheJackB. Hmm…obviously I have since moved from Random Thoughts over to this place, but that is ok. This page is a work in progress which is a good description for me. I’ll probably tweak this on a regular basis so feel free to keep checking back in because you never know what might show up. I am a prolific writer and update frequently so don’t forget to scroll down the page to see what nugget of wisdom you just might have missed. Here is a short selection of posts to get you started. A Father Describes Parenting A Father’s Burden How Sister’s Helped to Train A Father of “Daddy’s Girl” Inside the Blogger’s Studio- A Dream, Er Nightmare The GermoPhobe What I Dream About I am In Love Becoming a Dad Dad’s Most Important Job A Decade of Dad Grandpa Donuts Why Your Post Sucks and Everyone Hates Your Blog A Letter To My Children- Things That Matter A Letter To My Children-2011 Dad Balances Fear Versus Reality Q&A With Daddy Blogger JackB Save The Last Dance For Me- 75 Years of Marriage An Uncertain Certainty Four Generations & A Wedding The Best Thing My Father Ever Said To Me 1 Foolproof Way To Become a Better Writer The Story Of A House- The Final Days He Died A Hero Twenty-Five Links That Will Make You A Better Writer/Blogger Thanks for coming by, I hope you like it. If you want to reach me use the contact form or try talk-to-jacknow-at-gmail-dotcom You can also find more information by clicking About Me and reading my profile there. Also, I encourage you to sign up for my newsletter using the form on the top right hand side of the page.
      Josh says:

      Hi Sapna,

      The electronic leash aspect of modern technology is very troublesome to me. I am definitely not a fan of that part. Nor do I like instant gratification. There are good things that come with it but the level of impatience it generates concerns me.

      I don’t nor want to be the person to turn on a red light, I just want to add a little caution to the mix and a dash of concern for what sort of compromises we are making.

      Reply

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