Psychology, the thread.

Goldstein · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

A common topic in regards to my generation and the one below mine is that we were raised with a sense of entitlement, a lack of understanding of personal accountability and/or responsibility, and/or a lack of the concept of patience.

This is especially repeated in connection with the topic of digital piracy, and with the concept of technology in general.

As an example, my sociology professor enjoys repeating the idea that modern society is becoming more impatient and is forgetting old ideas of respect and of interpersonal interaction, and that this is mainly due to my generation being brought up with technology and the Internet.

What are your feelings about this, dear perverts?

Lucas · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

I concur with your sociology professor. The world has grown far more impersonal in the Information Age; texting and Twitter are the best examples of mainstream impersonality.

4Chan and Anon have also contributed, although not so much as creating this effect, but instead magnifying it to the point where this kind of culture can be clearly seen in a concentrated form. That being said, it doesn't represent every person of our generation, but it does serve as an example of what internet culture that has its roots based in anonymity and apathy can be like, and how this mindset can attract many people.

Newbie · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

When it is your friend's birthday do you:
(A) Visit them in person to wish them a happy birthday
(B) Call them on the phone
(C) Send them a card
(D) Text message them
(E) Leave them a message on one of the innumerable networking sites
Or, finally
(F) Mention it on twitter?

Notice how few of these options involve actually interacting with the person, and how many of them require a serious investment of time. It seems to be the case that anything prior to D seems like a herculean effort by today's standards, but even a few years ago was considered far more standard.

Lucas · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

Indeed. I'm even noticing a technology indulgence gap between myself and the 18 year old kids who joined my college this semester. Never before have I seen so many texters, all of whom I wish to punch in the face. I'm going to turn 21 in a month, and I already feel as though I'm a complete generation apart from some of these people.

Alias · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

I had a tenth-grader in my precalc/calc class senior year, so this girl is only two years younger than me. She was one of those really high strung perfectionist types, and she would absolutely go berserk if someone took her phone. Naturally, the four other guys in the class took every opportunity to nab her phone and keep it from her until the end of class; after all, it's not like she could run to the teacher or anything. She would freak out as much as the circumstances would allow, though.

I never took part in this as much as the others did, although I did enjoy watching the preppy little chit squirm, so if the phone was handed off to me, I'd play along, and usually keep it from her until after class. One of these occasions, though, she went completely off the deep end and freaked. Got her parents involved and everything. For some reason, I took the heat, even though I hadn't participated at all that day. None of the members of her family have spoken to me since.

And all because she absolutely HAD TO TEXT HER BOYFRIEND DURING CLASS.

What got me even more riled was the fact that I'd been in a long-distance relationship for about six years at that point. I got to see my significant other twice a year, maybe three times if I was lucky. She got to see her idiot boyfriend every single day (he went to the same school), and she was bitching and complaining to ME about how tough her life was, and she just might snap if I took her phone away, because she absolutely couldn't live without it for one hour. Not to mention the fact that my mom had committed suicide earlier that year, and her parents (who had been married for some time) made about four times as much money as my dad.

Yeah. and she was bitching to ME about how tough life is. I'll say modern society is forgetting old ideas of respect and intrapersonal interaction, something is seriously wrong with this generation if they can't live without their phones for one bloody hour, and in the middle of an AP class no less.

Lucas · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

I know EXACTLY how you feel, Alias. Aside from my relating to your feelings towards that child, you do bring up an interesting point. She doesn't know how difficult life can be, and most likely never will. The class gap in America and in other developed nations is widening, and sadly we're going to see lots of people like her come out of this generation.

Aside from the current worldwide economic depression, a new way of thinking seems to have taken root that's the polar opposite of the one present in the 1930's; that of materialism and consumption of comfort goods despite any circumstances.

Alias · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

Yeah I figured you might. Sorry for going off on that rant like I did. It was relevant, but damn that still gets my blood boiling.

Sinfulwolf · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

No fucking doubt Alias it gets your blood boiling. It got mine going too... and it didn't even happen to me.

Fuck, maybe she should do a little tour about the world... see how about 90% of the world's population lives, and then maybe she wouldn't need to text her boyfriend every two fucking seconds.

I dunno, seeing children bathing in shit water changes your perspective on bad you actually have things.

Newbie · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

I think we may have found a more important cause, or at least a related factor: Kids raised without limits have a sense of entitlement. Think of the spoiled little rich girl from Willy Wonka: She had always been given what she wanted by her parents, and so expected that she always get what she want from every one. The internet supports this, in that it is almost the definition of instant gratification, but the seeds are planted much earlier by the parents, and it's supported further still when nothing bad happens to them.

aika · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

I always thought the good cop bad cop thing Ai and I had going on on the original forums helped keep the peace and harmony, but I must admit two good cops seems to work even better. <3 Nunu

SirOni · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

I'll be the first to admit that my life is pretty much run by my access to technology. If it weren't for the internet and my mobile phone I doubt I'd actually bother talking to anyone because I don't really like dealing with people IRL. It's not that I have a phobia or anything, it's because people are generally fake, there's no substance to the majority of people so there's no point in getting to know them. Thats not to say I have substance, I'm probably pretty bland to most people but I just don't like dealing with others like that.

Nunu · Oct 2, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

aika said:
I always thought the good cop bad cop thing Ai and I had going on on the original forums helped keep the peace and harmony, but I must admit two good cops seems to work even better. <3 Nunu

awww... *huggles Aika*

ToxicShock · Oct 3, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

*snaps picture*

AH-HA! FINALLY I HAVE THE PROOF!

*runs off laughing*

Sinfulwolf · Oct 4, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

About us being civil and such to each other...

Well, apparently we just use the rep system to send out negative thoughts about someone else so they don't even know our fucking user name. I think that's even worse.

Momiji · Oct 4, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

sinfulwolf said:
About us being civil and such to each other...

Well, apparently we just use the rep system to send out negative thoughts about someone else so they don't even know our fucking user name. I think that's even worse.

I'm really starting to hate the anonymity of the rep system.

Yeah, I've done it before, trolling or actually angry at the post, but the fact that you can't really come out and say your name and disagree with what I said is starting to tick me off.

Maybe it's just 'cause I get so much -rep, I dunno.

Wonderboy · Oct 4, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

Well, I've never negative- repped anyone on the forums...

And also... I'm a pretty young guy, lived on the west-side of things... I mean.. I bloody went to the same school as the prince and princess of Norway. I am however not oblivious to people suffering across the world, I know suffering, and I absorb mindsets. Like for example this one time, I nearly started a fight with a guy in class because he was sooooo bloody ignorant, and talkin shit about Islam and middle eastern countries...

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that the same technology that gives us this gratification and this sence of entitlement can also give us the perspective to handle it, all depending on how we handle information and how empathic we are. Through the internet, television, and to some degree books, I have come to the point where I can always complain, but I know, that no matter how bad I might think I have it. It doesn't matter. My problems compared to those of many others are like a drop of water in a glass versus the Great biblical flood.

Me "My parents got divorced. I know what that's like."
Girl. "My parents are still together, but they're fighting a lot... My sister just called me, said I shouldn't come home tonight, cause there's some hitting and screaming"
Me "..."

Me "My parents got divorced. I know what that's like."
Boy "Yeah, it's ok I guess, exept that my stepfather's... Not nice." *Turns away and tries to cover the bruice on his arm."

And there are people in the world willing to risk their lives to live like those two examples...

Damn. Now I'm sad. Fuck. What the HELL am I complaining about?

Sinfulwolf · Oct 4, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

Indeed Mo, indeed. Like I said, we're very civil... for the most part... in the boards themselves, but then you look at what your latest rep was, and someone is saying you are the next coming of the anti christ or something like that... but you can't defend yourself from that little stab in the back.

Nunu · Oct 5, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

i'm thinking the entire rep system should be scrapped. i mean its just a way of measuring your penis size anyway. the only person this might annoy is toxic who uses it to keep his self esteem afloat.

we've had other troubles with the rep system before as well. someone was using it to anonymously bash people, with no regards to what they actually posted.

ToxicShock · Oct 5, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

Hey now, I joke about it less than anyone else. I'm totally up for scrapping it.
not like I can catch up to AI anyway :\

It might encourage a bit of spam, but if you like someone's post, just go ahead and tell them. And if you feel they really need their e-peen inflated, you can pm em about how much you liked it too, then you might actually add them as a friend.

OH MY GOD, IS TOXIC SUGGESTING A SOCIAL SYSTEM? You're goddamned right I am... i think

Nunu · Oct 5, 2009

Re: Psychology, the thread.

its kind of redundant as if something is seriously wrong you can always ask me... or aika i guess... to look into it. it feels nice to get plus rep but is it worth it? should we take a vote

Psychology, the thread.

Lurker

Lurker

Lurker

Lurker

Lurker

Lurker

Lurker

H-Section Moderator

Lurker

El Presidente

Demon Girls #1 Fan

Despot

(And Reputation Manager)

H-Section Moderator

Lurker

Lurker

H-Section Moderator

Despot

(And Reputation Manager)

Despot