Brain Rot

[LightAngel]

Oh yeah paper books are wonderful. Going camping, sitting outside all day with a book. In the fresh air. With the sky. Keep the dementia at bay. Sounds like a plan.

 


Just like me, I guess you also grew up in a time before mobile phones.

There was space to breathe, to wander, to disappear for a while without anyone tracking our steps.

It felt healthy and good, not because everything was perfect, but because our nervous systems weren't being pulled in a hundred directions.

There was a kind of innocence in simply being where you were. 

And the thing is, we can still choose some of that now (I do).

We can put the phone down.

We can use it less.

When we use technology with intention, it becomes a tool again.

When we let it pull us without noticing, it becomes a master.

We should control technology, it shouldn't control us! 

[Orby]

 


Just like me, I guess you also grew up in a time before mobile phones.

There was space to breathe, to wander, to disappear for a while without anyone tracking our steps.

It felt healthy and good, not because everything was perfect, but because our nervous systems weren't being pulled in a hundred directions.

There was a kind of innocence in simply being where you were. 

And the thing is, we can still choose some of that now (I do).

We can put the phone down.

We can use it less.

When we use technology with intention, it becomes a tool again.

When we let it pull us without noticing, it becomes a master.

We should control technology, it shouldn't control us! 

Oh yeah I too was quite old when the mobile phone first came out. Know exactly where you're coming from on having more space to breath, freedom etc. The airplane switch has been found to be good. Just turn it off. Even then, one relies on it for work, it's hard without it. Lots of messaging these days rather talking so still need it. There good things too with mobiles. I can remember breaking down in my old bangers in the stix and trying to find somewhere with a phone to call dad or recovery   to tow us home. Now it's an instant call. No hiking for miles and handing a 10p over to someone for use of their landline. 

Putting the phone down once one gets used to it is just as weird. Sounds nice to go back to the way we are in the 70's 80's but it is, in itself brain rot in an isolationist way. Left it on a trip abroad, no 3 network with extortion costing, so placed in the drawer, at home, 12 days solitary with no phone. In a place foreign. It was really weird, in a way that one thinks it's a relief to be away from it, but a feeling of isolation seemed to take over. It's strange but one gets used to having the (phone) companion with you all time. It might have been good aged twenty something, but fifty something it's really weird, especially after say 48 hours. Being honest I couldn't wait to get back to the phone. Started getting paranoid standing in queueues with nothing to concentrate on. No music of choice either. Just weird (local) music coming out of the bus speakers. I guess one does get more into the environment you are in with no phone, just not sure that at 100% is a good idea. Then you get the people in the hostels. Sometimes it's a bonus to concentrate on your screen, there's often some strange individual who wants to make connections with you, with long hair and sandals, dangling down from the bunk above, explaining something along the lines of "I'm the reincarnation of Jes-s, pleased to meet you, I'm the second coming and I'm here to help you." For all the brain rot, I'd rather have one in my pocket for when it's needed.

[andy06shake]

Quite fancy somit called a Vectrex. Holy smoke I was so desperate as a kid for a Vectrex. Then again it's got a screen, might be a dementia cause again. Just keep collecting all the stuff one couldn't have as a kid. Stick it in the afterlife room. Rammed with 80's games. Just like the Pharoahs.

You might wanna look into something called "VecRroidX" for your smartphone, available in the Google Play Store.

Also, if you liked the old arcade machines from the 70/80/90s "MAME4droid" will play just about any old ROM and is a must. 

A real Vectrex console will set you back about £500-3000 depending on the condition.

[Orby]

You might wanna look into something called "VecRroidX" for your smartphone, available in the Google Play Store.

Also, if you liked the old arcade machines from the 70/80/90s "MAME4droid" will play just about any old ROM and is a must. 

A real Vectrex console will set you back about £500-3000 depending on the condition.

A bit too much for that price Andy, they were so attractive at the time though. Look a bit oldy world now, at the time positively space aged. Thanks for the heads up on the games.

[chr0naut]

Good post.

I love paper books, I want to read more of them.  

I love books, but as I age I find my eyesight isn't what it once was, and therefore I don't read many books like I used to.

In my youth, I used to take several books out of the library every week. The librarians used to test me when I brought them back, because they had never seen anyone who read so much. My dad used to say that I'd read the newspaper they wrapped my fish and chips in. LOL.

It is far more convenient now for me to read enlarged text on a device, or to indulge in audio books, where I can also be doing other things.

I have looked at the books in the local libraries with enlarged text, but the range isn't spectacular.

I get bored with most TV and movies. The stories and characterizations are rarely nuanced and the themes are uninterestingly repetitive. And reality TV, televised sports & gameshows are moronic.

I don't think that I have ever had a revelation of some sparkling new idea or insight other than through the printed word.