When SONY invented its first WALKMAN in 1979, it totally revolutionised the way we listen to music. But something else happened - the way we relate to each other. Almost overnight, you saw people, the young and the not so young, on the streets, on public buses and subways, with their ears hooked firmly onto their WALKMAN, most in total oblivion of their surrounding. Everyone is a stranger living in their own private world, and every stranger seemed to have a WALKMAN in their possession.
At home, you found kids hooking on their music, during mealtime, and study time, much to the consternation of most parents. Everyone was isolated. Accidents on the road went up because people cared more for their music than their lives. There was no hope for the human race.
Twenty-seven years on, the advancement in technology never seems to let up, and we mere mortals seem unable to keep up. There is no question that technology has improved the quality of our lives. We have more gadgets to keep us entertained, and the advancement in medical science has made us live longer.
While it's true that technology "connects" people (think mobile phone), it's also true that walls have been built isolating mankind (think the great "Digital Divide") because of technology. And if what I've read in the news is any indication, we'd better brace ourselves for more isolation.
I'm talking about Mobile-TV, which enable you to watch TV programmes on the go, of course. Already a hit in Japan and South Korea, it was reported recently that the three telcos here are looking into ways to offer their mobile-phone users Mobile-TV subscriptions. Soon, we would see our kids retreating into their room with their Mobile-TV, instead of interacting with family members in the living room. And skivers at work would be able to have a "sneak
When people get isolated, communications break down. I don't know if it's just me, but have you noticed how the behaviour of our kids degenerated through the years in Singapore? Youngsters of today don't seem to have much respect for the elderly. Yes, this is true even of my kids. And we read about how students, yes even the undergrads refusing to give up their seats to the elderly or the physically disabled. Everyone seems to have become selfish and self-centred. And that very invention - the WALKMAN - is the epitome of selfishness. You could even say that it's anti-social. No? Who else could you share the music with?
Welcome to the world in solitude. But what price technology?
Category: Musings
9 comments:
"... have a 'sneak view' of their day time soup opera in the office..."
Chris, you are always thinking about food, aren't you?
"Youngsters of today don't seem to have much respect for the elderly. Yes, this is true even of my kids."
Ahh... finally, a sure sign of admitting that you belong to this distinguished group called...
the elderly.
Welcome to the club.
Whatever it is Victor, I'll always have 8 years to catch up with you :P
Then I would have gone another 8 years ahead of you... No, maybe even out of this "Agaration world" (see your "Agaration is the world" comment in your "The One" post.
Choy! Choy! What am I saying? All I am saying is that you will never catch up with me, hee. But don't worry, even if I am out of this Agaration world, I will still wait for you, wahaha.
guess what chris, i think my friend can relate to your entry. she said that watching movie is an anti-social behavior. coz while you're watching, you don't interact. actually i don't really agree. as long as its not too often, like what you said abt kids retreating into their rooms to watch tv or listening to their mp3s all day & night etc, i think its ok lah. everyone has to hv time & space. but at the end of the day, as long as there's still family time & you guys still hv meals together, then its ok wat. discipline is the key. there's a time for everything.
Evan, well, but how many of the young people you know eat regularly with their family these days? If they are not putting overtime in their work, they are out in the pub most days of the week. The time they have with their family is negligible. We don't need mobile-tv to make matter worse.
Victor - don't any how talk ok? You can wait for me. But pls don't come and look for me hor. I very scared.
Chris, I really don't know. I don't think God designed our lives based on a FIFO (first-in first-out) system, you know what I mean? If that should happen, don't come looking for me either; wait for me and I'll come and find you. Wahaha.
Told u not to anyhow say already. What makes u think we'll go the same place? You have so many vices, Chee See should know. And I'm all spice and nice. Never the twain shall meet. Hee.
Chee See? I think he's going to jump.
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