Have We Become too Internet Savvy?

The gap between generations

Published on August 24, 2005 By foreverserenity In Internet

There seems to be a great divide in our technology friendly world. What, you might ask am I talking about now? I’m talking about that chasm that is opening up between my generation (the 30 and over crowd) and Generation “X” and Generation “Now”.

That penchant for our younger folks to just Google anything they want to learn about (and us too). Not too many folks read to obtain information anymore. Mention a word, a phrase or a name it’s off to Googleland to find out any and all information we may need.

While I’m not saying the Internet is bad, not at all! I for one applaud the use of the Internet and what it has done for humankind all over! What worries me is with the “X” and the “Now” generations, when it comes to learning and connecting with the history of any given subject and acquiring and being able to analyze information about a particular subject, they don’t know how to do that.

How do they develop the necessary skills that will teach them how to do research and explore the different methods and ideas on what to do to get the information they need other than going on the Internet? Does anyone remember Microfiche? Or those big ole books called Encyclopedias? Or Microfilm? Or Catalogs?

The other day I gave my son a lesson on how to search for something at the Library. He was shocked to learn that going on the Internet is not the only way to obtain information. The Library has a wide assortment of ways for you to obtain information. They do have computers and Internet access because they have to get with the times, i.e., with what everyone else is doing.

However, before computers there were a Reference section, Catalogs, and Microfiches or Microfilms searches available (although there are no more at least at our branch library). They do have another kind of search too. You can sit at this antiquated computer-looking type machine that has a telephone attached and speak to someone on the other end. You see the person you’re speaking to and they see you!

What I’m trying to get at though is that many students these days are finding the quickest route in doing their assignments. They cut and paste information from the Internet. Never mind that sometimes this may lead to plagiarism but how do they learn about a particular subject if this is all they do? Can they give thorough and accurate information on what they have done? Or correctly list the source of their information without siting a webpage?

What about that thirst for learning and the knowledge gain because of the paper you have to write on any subject that you might be assigned. You become so enrapt by the information that you’ve read about. You analyze and ask questions of your parents, teacher or peers. You learn to develop strategies in putting together a presentation for your teacher and are able to tell the history of what you’re seeking. You learn how to put sentences together to make an essay, to write knowledgeably about a topic. You learn new words, how to spell them and learn what they mean. You learn a lot by using other methods to do your research and not only by using the Internet.

While using the Internet is very helpful and might be a quicker way find what you seek (and there’s nothing wrong with that). However, let’s not forget that there are books out there to be read, information to be analyzed and skills to be learned if we take the time to do it.

Comments (Page 7)

starkers

on Sep 28, 2005

Me too Starkers. And I'm glad they're out there!

Yes, and I found it so refreshing to meet with one such young man who absolutely astounded me, not only with his wisdom and intelligence, but with compassion and an understanding of the human condition....well beyond his years. Firstly, you need to imagine a 17 year old Aussie lad with an 'ocker' accent stonger than Crocodile Dundee's, and then be able to picture him telling me that deep down he was an old romantic. Well that totally flabbergasted me, not that he said it, but more that he went on to prove it with a maturity and understanding with regards to a recent split with his girlfriend. It would have put many a grown man to shame. Young Ben conducted himself with such a composure and responsibility that I could have easily attibuted him with having another 20 or 30 years experience in life and people skills, at the least.

Furthermore, Ben left school at age 15 and began working at a nursery because he faced difficulties in the regular education system. Some might say that wasn't too intelligent, leaving school without a proper education like that, but over the two years Ben's employer has given him a free reign to run things much as he sees fit because it was recognised that he was extremely gifted and has a talent for all things gardening. Ben not only propogates and tends dozens of varieties of plants, he also designs and creates pots, plant displays and landscaping projects ....all without the use of a computer or the internet. In fact, Ben does not know how to use a computer, yet he still has remarkable achievements, nonetheless....abiliies and experience he simply could not have acquired from sourcing a computer and the internet alone. Of course it makes sense to make as many people as computer literate as possible, but Ben's is only one example of many to show that being versatile in computing is useful but not necessarily imperative in the modern world.

Also, foreverserenity, I must thank you for posting this most interesting thread. It has been great, apart from the one blemish, and thanks also to RiddickRom and everyone who contributed views and opinions

RiddickRom

on Sep 28, 2005

This relates precisely to my concerns about the internet being seen as a replacement for human interaction and developing real world communicative skills. Without these things, we become desensitised and therefore more able to trample over others and their feelings, both on and off the internet.

This is a very interesting point that I've pondered over many times. I've come to the conclusion that this kind of anger is very similar to road rage. While internet anger is not something I've read any research on, road rage I think we all have. Being protected inside a car, you feel much more able to become aggressive. The same happens sitting at a computer.

I don't think it's the fault of the computer, just like I wouldn't blame the car. It just seems to be the way some of us naturally behave. Another aspect to this I've noticed over time is the more experienced a person is in how the online world works, the more reasonable they seem to become when relating to others of a similar experience level. Strangely this behaviour doesn't seem to extend to new users. On the whole, experienced users don't seem to have much time for new users. I know there are exceptions and none of this is based on any real research other than my own observation, so you can pretty much take it with a pinch of salt.

I'd have to agree though that communicating with text has some serious drawbacks which you've covered.

Years ago I was convinced that we'd all be using virtual reality headsets in a matter of a year or so, that chatrooms would become massive virtual 3D communities and that large companies would drive this but it just did not happen. While the internet is evolving rapidly, it does seem to be tied into certain rules about how it should work. Websites should look like Yahoo and Amazon, chatrooms are text based, The idea of a community almost always revolves around the message board and innovation only happens within this framework. The yahoo template gets a bit of video embedded for instance.

Interestingly, you can see the kind of progress in using technology to allow people to interact in ever more complex and realistic ways, that I thought was going to happen internet wide, in games. Massively multiplayer games are really starting to create complete worlds you can spend enormous amounts of time in. We are seeing voice used in these 3D spaces quite commonly and the level of realism just gets better and better as each month passes.

Why this has problems crossing over into non gaming passtimes I'm not really sure. I would have said that bandwidth was holding the internet back but increasingly websites are using bandwidth heavy services and online games show no problems in ignoring low bandwidth users and assuming broadband is the norm.

I still think the virtual world will take off on the internet but it is a very long way off. I feel it's really only then that we'll see more of the human condition being portrayed well within communities and hopefully more respect, compassion and feeling will be commonplace.

starkers

on Sep 29, 2005

I don't think it's the fault of the computer, just like I wouldn't blame the car. It just seems to be the way some of us naturally behave. Another aspect to this I've noticed over time is the more experienced a person is in how the online world works, the more reasonable they seem to become when relating to others of a similar experience level. Strangely this behaviour doesn't seem to extend to new users. On the whole, experienced users don't seem to have much time for new users. I know there are exceptions and none of this is based on any real research other than my own observation, so you can pretty much take it with a pinch of salt.

Actually, to take it that way would be rather narrow minded and not in the true spirit of conversation. What you say is quite often the case, but is true of any given forum when a newcomer is unfamiliar with protocol. The term 'rookie' applies to internet communities as well, and we all know that rookies can make annoying mistakes, to be ostracised and be the brunt of harsh criticism and treatment simply because they're new and not really one of the boys yet. Sometimes, to be noticed, accepted even, newcomers can try too hard to become part of the 'inner circle', so to speak, and achieve quite the opposite through breaches of protocol and/or accepted behaviour. However, in this real world we continually speak of, there are human faces, voices and emotions to more easily convey who we really are underneath. The internet, however, does not allow us to be as privvy to these human aspects, and therefore making it more difficult to show our true selves. Of course there are exceptions to this situation, given the numerous friendships, relationships and even marriages which were forged over the internet.

Moreover, one can never blame the machine, though many do in times of frustration. Okay, so most of us cuss when we hit our thumbs with a hammer, but careless or incorrect use is most often the cause, rather than the tool or its creator. This applies to the internet in that users have a choice to wisely use it in an appropriate manner, or otherwise, so if one is ordinarily obnoxious, bad tempered and rude, sadly it will reflect in their participation on the internet...and their driving.

I've quite recently been thinking about the old saying: "Familiarity breeds contempt.", and whilst that's true in some cases, I also see the opposite being true, from an internet point of view, where people who know little or nothing about eachother will say the most atrocious things to one another. Perhaps some of it is bravado from the safety of their computer chair, but it also raises another question... If a person is isolated with their computer for company, and most, if not all interaction is restricted to the internet, can they, do they lose the ability to communicate, and therefore, become unfamiliar with and insensitive to human emotion and mutual respect, and thus, contemptuous and arrogant as well? Perhaps not so much with those who have previously acquired people skills, but what of the inexperienced young and those who have become as hermits? This is what concerns me, that such huge emphasis is placed on how the internet is vital to our prospects and survival, that without it we perish, almost to the point of indoctrination, and young people are immersing themselves in it to the exclusion of all else so as not to be left behind. The responsible thing would be to integrate technology into everyday life, rather than the other way around....let's hope the powers that be also realise this.

I've only been using computers or the internet for a bit over 2 years now, but I too have had high hopes, dreams and visions for things like that, perhaps one day, when those large companies decide to share their toys

skinDev0

on Sep 29, 2005

"I make my kids plant a tree for every damn week they keep breathing that air in! They have to skin those damn rabbits and make their own slippers, I even thought them how to gut a pig. Hell, you need those skills to survive in the world these days. So I took them in the forest to show them which Mushies were good and which... Uhm, but that was just for the Gravy. I say, teach them all the skills that'll make a men out of them, and they'll make you your own pair of slippers one day!" "What did you say again... Intrenet Gravy?!?

foreverserenity

on Sep 29, 2005

Ben sounds like he's an "old soul" as we would say in my culture, wise beyond his years.

abiliies and experience he simply could not have acquired from sourcing a computer and the internet alone. Of course it makes sense to make as many people as computer literate as possible, but Ben's is only one example of many to show that being versatile in computing is useful but not necessarily imperative in the modern world.

Ben's very smart!

Also, foreverserenity, I must thank you for posting this most interesting thread. It has been great, apart from the one blemish, and thanks also to RiddickRom and everyone who contributed views and opinions

You're quite welcome! I enjoyed it very much.

Being protected inside a car, you feel much more able to become aggressive. The same happens sitting at a computer.

Interesting comparison and one I would agree with.

Years ago I was convinced that we'd all be using virtual reality headsets in a matter of a year or so, that chatrooms would become massive virtual 3D communities and that large companies would drive this but it just did not happen. While the internet is evolving rapidly, it does seem to be tied into certain rules about how it should work. Websites should look like Yahoo and Amazon, chatrooms are text based, The idea of a community almost always revolves around the message board and innovation only happens within this framework. The yahoo template gets a bit of video embedded for instance.

Interestingly, you can see the kind of progress in using technology to allow people to interact in ever more complex and realistic ways, that I thought was going to happen internet wide, in games. Massively multiplayer games are really starting to create complete worlds you can spend enormous amounts of time in. We are seeing voice used in these 3D spaces quite commonly and the level of realism just gets better and better as each month passes.

Why this has problems crossing over into non gaming passtimes I'm not really sure.

Yes most certainly. I do believe though that in time such a thing will become a reality everywhere. Admittedly games are more advanced, IMO, and it is there that a lot of ideas come from technologically.

still think the virtual world will take off on the internet but it is a very long way off. I feel it's really only then that we'll see more of the human condition being portrayed well within communities and hopefully more respect, compassion and feeling will be commonplace.

Perhaps in another 15 years? Perhaps not even as long as that! I most certainly hope more respect and compassion will be shown, but as you said before, it's just the way some people naturally behave.

The term 'rookie' applies to internet communities as well, and we all know that rookies can make annoying mistakes, to be ostracised and be the brunt of harsh criticism and treatment simply because they're new and not really one of the boys yet. Sometimes, to be noticed, accepted even, newcomers can try too hard to become part of the 'inner circle', so to speak, and achieve quite the opposite through breaches of protocol and/or accepted behaviour.

As many of us have seen happen here at JU. Some people loves attention and do whatever they can to get it!

However, in this real world we continually speak of, there are human faces, voices and emotions to more easily convey who we really are underneath. The internet, however, does not allow us to be as privvy to these human aspects, and therefore making it more difficult to show our true selves.

First sentence, true, agreed. Second sentence....true as well but my question is always this...why would someone want to not show there true selves? Why hide behind a facade? In doing so they are only alienating themselves and in the end others who reach out to them in friendship. There have been so many blogs on this very issue. I too have written a couple of blogs with this issue being a part of the focus. It's a never ending cycle I think. It is always better to be true to yourself.

Moreover, one can never blame the machine, though many do in times of frustration. Okay, so most of us cuss when we hit our thumbs with a hammer, but careless or incorrect use is most often the cause, rather than the tool or its creator. This applies to the internet in that users have a choice to wisely use it in an appropriate manner, or otherwise, so if one is ordinarily obnoxious, bad tempered and rude, sadly it will reflect in their participation on the internet...and their driving.

Absolutely!!!

If a person is isolated with their computer for company, and most, if not all interaction is restricted to the internet, can they, do they lose the ability to communicate, and therefore, become unfamiliar with and insensitive to human emotion and mutual respect, and thus, contemptuous and arrogant as well? Perhaps not so much with those who have previously acquired people skills, but what of the inexperienced young and those who have become as hermits? This is what concerns me, that such huge emphasis is placed on how the internet is vital to our prospects and survival, that without it we perish, almost to the point of indoctrination, and young people are immersing themselves in it to the exclusion of all else so as not to be left behind. The responsible thing would be to integrate technology into everyday life, rather than the other way around....let's hope the powers that be also realise this.

Very good points Starkers! Most definately!

Oh yes? For me it has been too long!LOL! Hahaha...tell me about it!

Hell, you need those skills to survive in the world these days

I'm trying to figure out if you're joking, being a troll or not. But no matter....Yes, kids need to learn good skills to survive in their world.

skinDev0

on Sep 29, 2005

I'm trying to figure out if you're joking, being a troll

No, I am a Troll. And a dad, both of my kids have grown up with their own Internet access and cell phones. As a result, our household is suffering from Information Overload. Conversations are kept to minimum and everyone is ditching responsibilities.

starkers

on Sep 30, 2005

I read you there....if my 14 yo stepdaughter isn't on her cell phone or the internet, she's surfing 120 plus TV channels....eating or sleeping. Efforts to motivate her are futile...resistance almost insurmountable....excuses to malinger prolific. When something can't be found amonst the enormous clutter in her room, a professional tip scavenger has to be called in to locate it.

Okay, it's not quite that bad, but she is less inclined to apply herself when modern conveniences are at her fingertips. For example: washing couldn't be done if the washing machine broke down, floors can't be cleaned without a vaccuum cleaner, etc. So yeah, get back to grass roots and teach kids how to manage 'stone age style', if you like, so they can cope when the power goes out.

foreverserenity

on Oct 03, 2005

And a dad, both of my kids have grown up with their own Internet access and cell phones. As a result, our household is suffering from Information Overload. Conversations are kept to minimum and everyone is ditching responsibilities.

I can most certainly relate to both of you!

They need a crash course on Survivor!

That's why I like to take mine out of their element and visit family members who don't bother with the likes of cable television or to visit their relatives in my homeland and take them to see how other people live!

starkers

on Oct 03, 2005

They need a crash course on Survivor! That's why I like to take mine out of their element and visit family members who don't bother with the likes of cable television

My wife took the young'un down to her sister's farm for a few days, where there is neither cable TV or a computer set up to surf the net or play games on. Ha, ha, the low signal area means there's no mobile phone for teenage gossip, either, and the free to air TV gets turned off at 9.30pm when my sister in-law and her husband go to bed. Oh dear, what's the poor girl got to to? Well she has a few cousins there and they all have to help around the place before they can play. Seems fair to me

I had to do the same when I was a kid.

Despite the lack of modern amenities, my step-daughter loves going to the farm and really embraces the country lifestyle, so yes, I'm happy that she's not entirely a technology geek who can only be kick started by a computer chip.

Meanwhile, however, I have been a total hypocrite and have been on the net fairly much since they left 2 days ago....my excuse, the cold weather is playing havoc with my arthritis and I'm in too much pain to do much else. Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it, as we say here in Oz

It hasn't been one of my better weeks in that regard, though I have done some of the chores and will go outside shortly to mow the lawn, which desperately needs doing after some wet weather lately.

100

skinDev0

on Oct 04, 2005

Despite the lack of modern amenities, my step-daughter loves going to the farm and really embraces the country lifestyle

I think that is the whole point, kids don't have many avenues of escape, and Internet has become the perfect checkout tool. Out of the combined time they spend online, prolly only around 1% is actually spent on processing useful information. The rest is consumed as virtual junk food. I guess we can't blame them if there is not much country or community feel out there in the world. Change the way the society interacts and you will change the ethics of everyone's Internet usage. Even here at WinCusto, you can see many young users who would otherwise be interacting in the real world. Instead, they are becoming social retards of the collective skinning rectum. I don't know how 'lets suck up to Brad 24 hours a day' is going to benefit these guys. Even worse, you will be hard-pressed to actually find a Graphic Artist job that can give you a decent wage. We shouldn't go into statistics, but the lifecycle of the average skinning beetle is very short. Almost as short as puberty in some cases. Just ask Trodden.

101

foreverserenity

on Oct 04, 2005

Despite the lack of modern amenities, my step-daughter loves going to the farm and really embraces the country lifestyle, so yes, I'm happy that she's not entirely a technology geek who can only be kick started by a computer chip.

That's good. Mine usually adapt too after a few days of being away from their element.

Meanwhile, however, I have been a total hypocrite and have been on the net fairly much since they left 2 days ago....my excuse, the cold weather is playing havoc with my arthritis and I'm in too much pain to do much else. Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it, as we say here in Oz It hasn't been one of my better weeks in that regard, though I have done some of the chores and will go outside shortly to mow the lawn, which desperately needs doing after some wet weather lately.

Ouch, sounds really painful. I can relate because sometimes my hip acts up. Only exercise works to take the pain away. Mowing the law sounds good! I don't miss the cold weather! It's still a balmy 79 degrees where I am and that's a cool day right now!

True, they get so easily bored you don't know what to do with them sometimes! In our days there were a lot of outside activities to keep us interested. Now I try to have them involved in something and they do sometimes but there's always the good old telephone or PS2 or Gameboy or something else waiting. While I don't have the internet hook up at my home currently, they do get lost in playing those games. They've been begging for me to set up the internet again and believe it or not, I'm going to!

102

starkers

on Oct 05, 2005

That's good. Mine usually adapt too after a few days of being away from their element

It takes no time for ours to feel within her element down at the farm....with the variety of animals and several cousins to keep her mind occupied it's: "Phone?" What phone?"

It sure does hurt, and unfortunatly it's not just the one hip...both of mine give me hell, as well as both knees and ankles, both shoulders and elbows. I have some days that are better than others, for which I'm thankful, but even on my better days, too much exercise can aggravate the condition and thus increase the pain. Unfortunately, my doctors advise the best treatment is no treatment, and to continue with anti-inflammarory and pain management medications. Despite the great advances in medicine, the 'saw bones' are not convinced surgery will benifit me greatly and are quite reluctant to operate for fear of greater complications. Oh well, I've learnt to live with it and to extract as much from life as I'm able. the most important thing is that I'm happy, and when I look at my wife, children and grand-children, I'm far from being sad or miserable

I think that is the whole point, kids don't have many avenues of escape

In some ways, I think they have too many escapes, well a heck of alot more than I ever had....and so many use them too often to avoid the realities and responsibilities of the world. It's not that they're bad kids, well no worse than in my day, but it's all electronic, computerised stuff that doesn't even require them to leave their rooms, in some cases, and that's sad when they're missing so much else. I too used to try avoiding reality and scive off at times to muck around in a fantasy world, but fortunately I lived in a country town and getting back to nature was much easier for me ....it was but a stone's throw from my doorstep. My friends and I would venture far (a mile or two)from home and build cubby houses with whatever we could find...and with whatever tools we could 'confiscate' from our none the wiser fathers. They sure were the days, and much of what I did was passed on to my son, who is now a father himself and teaching his children at an early age to love the outdoors and do some interesting stuff in it.

103

foreverserenity

on Oct 05, 2005

takes no time for ours to feel within her element down at the farm....with the variety of animals and several cousins to keep her mind occupied it's: "Phone?" What phone?"

Oh well, I've learnt to live with it and to extract as much from life as I'm able. the most important thing is that I'm happy, and when I look at my wife, children and grand-children, I'm far from being sad or miserable

This is good!

They sure were the days, and much of what I did was passed on to my son, who is now a father himself and teaching his children at an early age to love the outdoors and do some interesting stuff in it.

And this is what's important.

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