Modern Technology, Consumerism, and the Future

Let me start by stating that I have nothing against modern tech. I use it all the time, and I very much appreciate its benefits. We are financially supported by the field even. So this isn't just a complaint thread about the woes of change.

But lately I've been dealing with the very annoying fact that most of my kids' software doesn't work on my new (well, yr old) computer, even though the software is only 5 yrs old or less. And it has struck me that we are very firmly in a new age: when things are expected to need replacing within 3-5 yrs (or less) and are so complicated that fixing it yourself and extending its usage is virtually impossible. It's silly, for example, that I can't run today's software on my win95 computer, and I can't run win98 software on my XP computer -- not without it breaking or freezing everytime or the colors being distorted or the computer refusing to run it at all.


And these thoughts lead naturally to other aspects of our life where modern tech creates as many problems as it solves -- cars, for example. It wasn't so long ago that any joe could fix a car when push came to shove. Even *I* could study up on it & tinker around & fix what needs fixing. But modern cars have tons of computers in them, and fixing even the most basic of things on a modern car is not simply a matter of reading up -- at least, according to my FIL, who, since he owns a dealership (which obviously has a service center), deals with more than his share of car troubles and mechanics, and is therefore a credible voice.

All of this is both fueled by and fuels consumerism, as in the "greater consumption of goods" definition of it. We don't truly value our possessions because we're just going to replace them in a year or 2. Something stops working and instead of fixing it (or even being able to) we just toss it & replace it. It's a huge waste of finances, and, even more importantly, of resources.

However, it's not like we can just eliminate consumerism -- not in a functioning capitalist society, anyway. Many people blame large corporations, but any given town or city in the US is full of small, local businesses, so blaming corporate greed isn't a logical argument. Or not the total picture anyway. We NEED consumerism to merely function -- your dineros for that new car paid the dealership owner, his employees, his utilities, the utility company employees, the auto makers & their employees.... any of whom spend their money on your product or services. It's an endless web of money & jobs.

But as our "things" get more complicated to both make AND repair, the available workforce to do these jobs diminishes. Modern tech requires a significantly higher level of intelligence and education than in decades past, and that seems to put a large percentage of the population out of a job. I say that most delicately, of course, and without any negative connotations towards ANYONE. The point is that people who are maybe not as smart and definitely those that couldn't afford a college education have always had rather decent options. And I'm not sure what those will be in the future, given the way things are going.

Of course, I'm not really concerned about what our future brings because our only choice is to adapt and make the best of it. But it's interesting stuff to ponder. And since most of you are much younger than me & you are therefore very much part of this age I thought your perspectives on this might be interesting. (unless it is all over your heads? but I doubt that, y'all seem to be smarter than the average bear...)

Thoughts?

I agree with you all the way Tempest.

Today's world is a throw away society. Our children have learnt to grow up and they dont apprecaite the full value of what they have because it doesnt last for long, and they know when this one breaks, there will be another and the loop goes on.

I think Modern Technology is moving to fast for todays society. All these new things are being created, but no one is being educated, which is the most important thing. Whats the point of using something, if you dont understand how it works?

I recently brought a new TV and I spent about 2 hours, (which is longer then anything like this has taken me) just to connect my old DVD player. Then when it was connect it said: Install new DVD model
And I was seriously about to hit the damn thing. I mean now days, new things can not be compatible with older models (like your computer) and I think it is utter stupidity. As much as I love new-age technology things, I still have in the back of my head "why...."

And not only does everything need replacing, but now we have cleaning products that were specifically designed to be thrown away to wage a war on germs in the household. SPONGES ARE GERM FACTORIES they say, but who has time to teach their children proper cleaning procedures of the sponge when they're always at work or out spending money? And why should they with these new sanatizing wipes and swiffers and all that? Actually, buying these products is the consumer mentality, but it's like, you think that these things will make you very happy when they really only passify an urge to try something new and fun. No matter what your station in life, there are products just for you!

I'm guilty of the consumer mindset and I'm afraid because my computer won't play my older programs that I saved already. I may need to replace my computer in about 1-5 years but I really can't afford to.

The problem with all these new "throw away" consumer products is that they are only adding to already existing problems like recycling so many people talk about it but dont really know how little of it takes place, which is very very little, and all these throw away produsts only fill up the landfills that much faster in a crucial time when we should be making things that last we only only adding to the problem


More technological change has happened in the last 100 years than in the last 1000, and more has happened in the last 10 years than in the last 100 and it will get to the point where more will happen in 1 year than in the last 10, we just happen to be in the transision period eventually it will slow down or at least floor out for a while but for now there really isnt much to do about it, but Imo I like the change but I just wont go out and get the best new thing out there because it cost to much when things first come out

as far as my computer goes since its still fairly new (got in january) I wont upgrade anything probaly for at least 2-3 years or until at least processors are at 4.4Ghz or 5.4 the way I see it there is no reason to get something new unless you have to, and right now since I mostly use this comp for games the the highest game requirments are way down at 2.2Ghz so I not going to upgrade till i have to, otherwise its pointless and a waste of money

One m,ajor problem is that all the time more and more jobs will require higher levels of education meaning a college degree, and more and more people are not getting more money to go to college so we are getting a larger and larger uneducated work force, and prices for colege are not exactly getting more affordable

but all in all the population at large is starting top catch up maybe not esspecially fast but still, 20-30 years ago we would not have been able to keep up at all so we are lucky in a way.