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hacker · 08-22-2005, 01:03 PM

I have a great idea... live in your OWN city, and go outside and talk to REAL people instead.

Seriously, technologies like this are breaking down the quality of social interaction. Just look at irc. People on irc act so differently from real life, to the point of multiple personalities, just because they can "fake" who they are, since nobody can actually see or verify them.

Would they act like that in front of a crowd of people in a room? Most-likely not, or they'd get a fist in the mouth in some cases.

While interesting, I don't think we should be supporting or embracing technologies which reinforce this "artificial community" mantra. When people DO need to interact with others, without keyboard, mouse or monitor... what do they do?

The best HDTV is still outside my front door. I just walk out there and see more vibrant life and colors than any flatpanel monitor or 62" television screen inside my house.

(and I say this knowing that I've made more friends "online" than "offline", but I still value real, actual, personable interactions in the real world. Leave the Matrix to Neo please.)

08-22-2005, 01:03 PM	#2
hacker Technology Mercenary Posts: 617 Karma: 2561 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Lyme, CT Device: Direct Neural Implant	I have a great idea... live in your OWN city, and go outside and talk to REAL people instead. Seriously, technologies like this are breaking down the quality of social interaction. Just look at irc. People on irc act so differently from real life, to the point of multiple personalities, just because they can "fake" who they are, since nobody can actually see or verify them. Would they act like that in front of a crowd of people in a room? Most-likely not, or they'd get a fist in the mouth in some cases. While interesting, I don't think we should be supporting or embracing technologies which reinforce this "artificial community" mantra. When people DO need to interact with others, without keyboard, mouse or monitor... what do they do? The best HDTV is still outside my front door. I just walk out there and see more vibrant life and colors than any flatpanel monitor or 62" television screen inside my house. (and I say this knowing that I've made more friends "online" than "offline", but I still value real, actual, personable interactions in the real world. Leave the Matrix to Neo please.)