Ironically, while the young may be using technology to optimize their time, they are also wasting a lot of it. When I came to Japan, 30 years ago, most people riding the train and subway in Tokyo read newspapers, magazine and books (and manga, of course). They read, everything and everywhere. Now, most of them play videogames, check Facebook or whatever, send and read messages, and watch 10-second videos - the visual equivalent of a sugar high with zero nourishment - constantly skimming.
As for me, I'm proud to say I still don't own a smartphone.
Jun 24, 2023·edited Jun 24, 2023Liked by Mark Kennedy
This is definitely one of the saddest blogs I have read in a while. This can't be good for people's mental health. Isn't this yet another example of society addressing symptoms rather than causes? Shouldn't we be addressing the work-life balance instead of opting to live a pressure-cooker life?
This sad story reminds me of a favorite poem, by W H Davis (1871-1940):
What a crappy society we have built.
Ironically, while the young may be using technology to optimize their time, they are also wasting a lot of it. When I came to Japan, 30 years ago, most people riding the train and subway in Tokyo read newspapers, magazine and books (and manga, of course). They read, everything and everywhere. Now, most of them play videogames, check Facebook or whatever, send and read messages, and watch 10-second videos - the visual equivalent of a sugar high with zero nourishment - constantly skimming.
As for me, I'm proud to say I still don't own a smartphone.
This is definitely one of the saddest blogs I have read in a while. This can't be good for people's mental health. Isn't this yet another example of society addressing symptoms rather than causes? Shouldn't we be addressing the work-life balance instead of opting to live a pressure-cooker life?
This sad story reminds me of a favorite poem, by W H Davis (1871-1940):
"What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare."