Quote:
Originally Posted by
JamesOnFlames
And throughout the ages we have had the doommongering of the prior generation - Print, Radio, TV, Walkmans, Computers etc have all been heralded as the downfall of society as we know it.
...I think society will be ok

I'm not so sure.
First, I don't think "print" should be on your list as it was the one thing which led to society as we know it. I believe there is a direct line between reading and intellect.
Certainly TV should be on any list of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse; nothing quite like the magic box that can simultaneously rob people of their time, will and intellect. The internet in general, and cell phones in particular have not delivered on the promise of a golden age of worldwide enlightenment. And while I'd like to point a finger squarely at advertisement, I must be honest and label that as an "unindicted co-conspirator." You can tell we're close to the edge when more than 50% of the top television programs by viewership fall into the category of "reality TV" like "Big Brother" and "Survivor".
Think about this: we live in a time where the entirety of human knowledge is accessible 24/7 from a device you can fit in your pocket. What has that actually brought? Chewing Tide Pods, the banana and Sprite challenge, cinnamon challenge, ice bucket challenge and condom snorting.
The internet (and by extension, cell phones) have brought us people who are famous for nothing more than getting tattoos and piercings, putting on makeup, dressing like *****s or stalking celebrities on YouTube/Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat. These people have been venerated to the point where they're called "influencers". Possibly the real failure of the internet to be a vehicle for knowledge and enlightenment is based on a false assumption that people willingly challenge their beliefs and preconceptions. They will not. In fact, if anything has been proven is that generally, people will flock to those places that reinforce those same preconceptions and beliefs, distilling them into a fervent hatred of those who don't share them. Certainly this is not a new phenomenon, but the ubiquity of the internet has the effect of concentrating the experience. Of course there are exceptions, but so very few as to be inconsequential...
But to be fair, this is what people want. Are cell phones a cause or effect? Is it bad parenting or bad parents? Hard to say either way. All I can say is that in my lifetime I've seen an arduous climb to the top, followed by a mad dash to the bottom. And just when I think I've seen it all, something new comes along to make me say "Okay, now I've seen it all."
I'm not sure what's next, and I gave up trying to figure it out years ago. But I am sure whatever it is, at some level it will involve mindless self-promotion.