The Doctor
Admiral
The Lord Thinkerton
Member of the ProBoards Peerage.
Posts: 2,896
|
Post by The Doctor on Jun 24, 2007 13:23:21 GMT -5
Ok, so we know how our ancestors coped without these things in the past, but if we take a look at today's society, how would we today cope if they were to just vanish, one or the other or both?
For starters, the economy wouldn't quite be the same. We've gotten so used to the Web and computers, from the looks of things the older generations would be the best at coping. Also, things like aviation and shipping would be badly affected too. Plus, as far as information goes, thank goodness for books, magazines, newspapers and their sort.
How would you cope and how do you think others would to this situation too?
|
|
|
Post by willen on Jun 25, 2007 1:29:02 GMT -5
I would die... no escape from the real world.. save maybe through my books, but it's nice having someplace to vent. I think society would really struggle and economies would see a decline.. not to the brink of collapse but a considerable downfall. Don't know if we could really live without them now days.. considereing everything uses them.
|
|
Kmylove
Admiral
Furious Angel
Being The One is just like being in love
Posts: 2,775
|
Post by Kmylove on Jun 25, 2007 6:26:04 GMT -5
I lived without for so many years, I could live without it again I guess. But society in general would be very affected without computers, technology plays such a big part in some many processes that accomodation would be nearly impossible.
|
|
The Doctor
Admiral
The Lord Thinkerton
Member of the ProBoards Peerage.
Posts: 2,896
|
Post by The Doctor on Jun 25, 2007 6:54:58 GMT -5
I should think that it'd be difficult for us to become backward compatible, with older generations and those in very poor areas adapting to the lack of IT the best. It'd be difficult, but people should be able to adapt, using diaries instead of blogs, reading books rather than online encyclopaedias, watching videos via TV instead and listening to the radio etc. Our ancestors survived very well without computers, so I see no reason why we shouldn't.
|
|
BFD
Lt Commander
Using WYSIWYG tools to churn out apps faster than notepad "finger painters" thought possible.
Posts: 358
|
Post by BFD on Jun 27, 2007 16:57:41 GMT -5
How would I cope? First of all, I would have to go find a real job...maybe even manual labor! But seriously, it would not be just a matter of switching from online sources of information and entertainment to books, videos and such. For one thing, the mass production and low prices that we see today would not be practical without the precise control, automation and coordination of resources made possible by modern computers and web usage. Just look at your watch...Where did you buy it from, and how did they order it? Where was it made? How were the parts ordered? Does it contain a printed circuit board? Now think about how cheaply you can buy a functional replacement that is more accurate and has far more features than the best watch you could buy just 50 years ago. Even if you take the mechanical watches manufactured today, I would venture that a good part of their design, manufactured and distribution is assisted if not completely automated. And I almost guarantee the manufacturer did not receive the order via phone or snail mail. Like it or not, the computer is virtually everywhere - your phone, car, VCR...and it is only going to get worse. I'm not saying that we could not get by without them, just that your world will change a whole lot more than you think. Movies will be primitive, simply because no one can afford the level of effects we take for granted. Magazines will be less accessible and variety of books will be diminished. Heck, even your traffic lights will no longer be coordinated... (oops...didn't see the rant coming...)
|
|
|
Post by valderra on Jun 28, 2007 3:20:28 GMT -5
Ok, so we know how our ancestors coped without these things in the past, but if we take a look at today's society, how would we today cope if they were to just vanish, one or the other or both? Our ancestors coped without these things in the past... Now there is a statement that makes me think that either I am immortal and have lived for a thousand years already, or you think that everything past a couple of decades is ancient.
|
|
The Doctor
Admiral
The Lord Thinkerton
Member of the ProBoards Peerage.
Posts: 2,896
|
Post by The Doctor on Jun 28, 2007 3:53:11 GMT -5
How would I cope? First of all, I would have to go find a real job...maybe even manual labor! But seriously, it would not be just a matter of switching from online sources of information and entertainment to books, videos and such. For one thing, the mass production and low prices that we see today would not be practical without the precise control, automation and coordination of resources made possible by modern computers and web usage. Just look at your watch...Where did you buy it from, and how did they order it? Where was it made? How were the parts ordered? Does it contain a printed circuit board? Now think about how cheaply you can buy a functional replacement that is more accurate and has far more features than the best watch you could buy just 50 years ago. Even if you take the mechanical watches manufactured today, I would venture that a good part of their design, manufactured and distribution is assisted if not completely automated. And I almost guarantee the manufacturer did not receive the order via phone or snail mail. Like it or not, the computer is virtually everywhere - your phone, car, VCR...and it is only going to get worse. I'm not saying that we could not get by without them, just that your world will change a whole lot more than you think. Movies will be primitive, simply because no one can afford the level of effects we take for granted. Magazines will be less accessible and variety of books will be diminished. Heck, even your traffic lights will no longer be coordinated... (oops...didn't see the rant coming...) When I say computer, I do not mean it in the strict sense, what I mean are things like PCs, laptops, Handhelds, not the total absense of computer technology, but more of the colloqiual sense of the word, if you catch my drift.
Ok, so we know how our ancestors coped without these things in the past, but if we take a look at today's society, how would we today cope if they were to just vanish, one or the other or both? Our ancestors coped without these things in the past... Now there is a statement that makes me think that either I am immortal and have lived for a thousand years already, or you think that everything past a couple of decades is ancient. In no way am I trying to make a statement about the age of members here. I referring here to the 19 th Century and early, or whatever time before computer technology even remotely resembled what it's like today.
|
|
FantasyLover
Admiral
Temporal Warder
Currently cleaning Wolf's toilet with a toothbrush.
Posts: 2,101
|
Post by FantasyLover on Jun 28, 2007 5:27:29 GMT -5
Our ancestors coped without these things in the past... Now there is a statement that makes me think that either I am immortal and have lived for a thousand years already, or you think that everything past a couple of decades is ancient. In no way am I trying to make a statement about the age of members here. I referring here to the 19 th Century and early, or whatever time before computer technology even remotely resembled what it's like today. So...twenty years ago?
|
|
The Doctor
Admiral
The Lord Thinkerton
Member of the ProBoards Peerage.
Posts: 2,896
|
Post by The Doctor on Jun 28, 2007 13:09:44 GMT -5
In no way am I trying to make a statement about the age of members here. I referring here to the 19 th Century and early, or whatever time before computer technology even remotely resembled what it's like today. So...twenty years ago? 1920s-1930s, even before the glass vacuum valve. Twenty years ago it was primitive (comparitively), but it more than remotely resembled what we have now.
|
|
|
Post by valderra on Jun 29, 2007 5:12:12 GMT -5
In no way am I trying to make a statement about the age of members here. I referring here to the 19 th Century and early, or whatever time before computer technology even remotely resembled what it's like today. Although there were computers around in the 60s, and even earlier than that (we can see them always in those US TV programmes as massive machines in some FBI or CIA office, the computer for personal use - those you can buy in the shop and take home - was not available before the 80s. So I don't know why you mention the 19th century, which would imply that there weren't any computers around in, say, 1870, but we did have access in, say, 1905, which is not true. (You do say: We've gotten so used to the Web and computers - which implies that you are talking about personal use of the computer and Internet). In fact, the first 'home computer' came out in 1981 (the IBM PC). And the Internet was made accessable to the public (us) in the early 1990s. So when you are talking about 'our ancestors' you want to discuss life in the cave, life without plumbing and running water and electricity, not the computer and Internet.
|
|
The Doctor
Admiral
The Lord Thinkerton
Member of the ProBoards Peerage.
Posts: 2,896
|
Post by The Doctor on Jun 29, 2007 13:13:17 GMT -5
In no way am I trying to make a statement about the age of members here. I referring here to the 19 th Century and early, or whatever time before computer technology even remotely resembled what it's like today. Although there were computers around in the 60s, and even earlier than that (we can see them always in those US TV programmes as massive machines in some FBI or CIA office, the computer for personal use - those you can buy in the shop and take home - was not available before the 80s. So I don't know why you mention the 19th century, which would imply that there weren't any computers around in, say, 1870, but we did have access in, say, 1905, which is not true. (You do say: We've gotten so used to the Web and computers - which implies that you are talking about personal use of the computer and Internet). In fact, the first 'home computer' came out in 1981 (the IBM PC). And the Internet was made accessable to the public (us) in the early 1990s. So when you are talking about 'our ancestors' you want to discuss life in the cave, life without plumbing and running water and electricity, not the computer and Internet. I supposed I should've made myself clearer. Ok, from the top, first, what I mean by "no computers" is as in home PCs, mainframes and similar; computer-like technology would still exist, but not actual computers in the colloqial sense as such. Secondly, ancestors, what I mean by that is as in people who died before or not long after any of the oldest members here were born. And as for the 19 th Century bit, that was just a slightly convoluted excuse for an explanation there. Anyway, on with the discussion.
|
|
BFD
Lt Commander
Using WYSIWYG tools to churn out apps faster than notepad "finger painters" thought possible.
Posts: 358
|
Post by BFD on Jun 29, 2007 14:46:56 GMT -5
How would I cope? First of all, I would have to go find a real job...maybe even manual labor! But seriously, it would not be just a matter of switching from online sources of information and entertainment to books, videos and such. For one thing, the mass production and low prices that we see today would not be practical without the precise control, automation and coordination of resources made possible by modern computers and web usage. Just look at your watch...Where did you buy it from, and how did they order it? Where was it made? How were the parts ordered? Does it contain a printed circuit board? Now think about how cheaply you can buy a functional replacement that is more accurate and has far more features than the best watch you could buy just 50 years ago. Even if you take the mechanical watches manufactured today, I would venture that a good part of their design, manufactured and distribution is assisted if not completely automated. And I almost guarantee the manufacturer did not receive the order via phone or snail mail. Like it or not, the computer is virtually everywhere - your phone, car, VCR...and it is only going to get worse. I'm not saying that we could not get by without them, just that your world will change a whole lot more than you think. Movies will be primitive, simply because no one can afford the level of effects we take for granted. Magazines will be less accessible and variety of books will be diminished. Heck, even your traffic lights will no longer be coordinated... (oops...didn't see the rant coming...) When I say computer, I do not mean it in the strict sense, what I mean are things like PCs, laptops, Handhelds, not the total absense of computer technology, but more of the colloqiual sense of the word, if you catch my drift. I caught your drift, and still stand by what I said. The computers that are in a modern home are essentially the same as used by the vast majority of business. The very same factors that allow them to be in the average home (low cost hardware, affordable/useful packaged software and relative ease of use) are the same ones that make them available for such widespread use in business (otherwise they would be reserved for trained employees performing vital functions in larger companies).
|
|
FantasyLover
Admiral
Temporal Warder
Currently cleaning Wolf's toilet with a toothbrush.
Posts: 2,101
|
Post by FantasyLover on Jun 29, 2007 15:21:13 GMT -5
So without computers...we'd be living like the 80's. Honestly, computers aren't that essential.
|
|
|
Post by valderra on Jun 29, 2007 16:10:09 GMT -5
Secondly, ancestors, what I mean by that is as in people who died before or not long after any of the oldest members here were born. Pardon? That would mean that right after I was born my parents died, and they are still very much alive. But I forgive you. When I was still very young, anyone in their mid and late 20s seemed to me ancient. Additional: If you look up the word 'Ancestor', you will see that it means: A person from whome one is descended, especially if more remote than a grandparent. So without computers...we'd be living like the 80's. Honestly, computers aren't that essential. Hear hear... I much rather be back in the 70s - that was my decade.
|
|
The Doctor
Admiral
The Lord Thinkerton
Member of the ProBoards Peerage.
Posts: 2,896
|
Post by The Doctor on Jun 30, 2007 15:03:27 GMT -5
Secondly, ancestors, what I mean by that is as in people who died before or not long after any of the oldest members here were born. Pardon? That would mean that right after I was born my parents died, and they are still very much alive. But I forgive you. When I was still very young, anyone in their mid and late 20s seemed to me ancient. Additional: If you look up the word 'Ancestor', you will see that it means: A person from whome one is descended, especially if more remote than a grandparent. Alright! Yes, I forgot that 'ancestor' also means parents, I suppose I should've made myself more clearer and said that I meant people like our great-great-great grandparents and such, people who could be guaranteed not to be alive when we were born. God, I don't half make a right pig's ear of things, don't I!
|
|