Computer discussion

[!Tommy]

So, I'm aiming to have a serious discussion here with an open mind to both sides. So without any bashing or flaming of any kind, let's get this started.

 

Since the recent attack here on GCN, it furthers my point that computers aren't as wonderful as a lot of people make them out to be. While they are awesome in many ways, they also cause a lot of problems at the same time. So let's start with the negatives from my perspective.

 

First of all, when the internet goes, all content stored online is not available. When that happens...what do you do? Your reading material, your music, anything stored online is unavailable. Secondly, if your computer goes down, you have to worry about fixing it and spending a lot of extra time doing so. Also, if you're not careful, your data can be stolen and used for malicious purposes like identity theft. Of course I understand that more chances than not, it's the user's fault for not taking proper precautions. But now with things like Facebook where you can post basically your life on there and many people have no discretion what they actually post, it can all be used against you.

 

Now, to my second argument. I truly believe that computers have cost many people their jobs. Computers can be used as self checkouts at the supermarket, toll booth collectors, even for online shopping! All this puts people out of work. While online shopping is convenient and certain things can only be found on places like eBay, it also puts local merchants out of business if you only shop online. Self checkouts....self explanatory. And look at email! Sure, I use email on a daily basis too, but that's putting the postal system at risk. That's why we have so much junk mail because if it wasn't for that, we probably wouldn't have a postal system and that would mean more people out of a job.

 

Now, I sort of want to touch base with my first topic but on a different degree. I like printed media. I like being able to read a book, a printed out book. I also like having CDs and yes, even cassette tapes. In fact I like being able to have maps and atlases. But now with everything being crammed to the internet, some of this stuff is starting to disappear since demand for non-tech stuff goes down. I noticed the CD section is becoming smaller and smaller at the store and even the book section is smaller than it used to be. In fact I would never own a Kindle or iPad because its just not the same as what those devices are trying to replace. And is this really green? How many people actually do recycled used computers and tablets and smartphones? Especially now that they're becoming cheaper and if it breaks, you just get a new one. More and more of these things just end up in the landfill which really isn't helping the environment but actually hurting it more in the long run with all the toxic chemicals found in the circuit boards and capacitors.

 

So, since I ranted about cons, I will list the pros. 

 

First off, they are fun! Heck, being able to hack a game like OoT is fun and would be impossible without a computer. I've spent probably too many hours working at my hack as it is now but it's fun changing things and getting your hands dirty!

 

Second, I met my fiancee online. Been together two years running!

 

Third, being able to meet new friends online is fun too! I've made countless friends online and some of them are really great! It's amazing how many nice people are out there in the world.

 

Fourth, being able to contact others instantly is a good thing, especially when collaborating on a project. Being able to be together from different locations makes things easier and faster. Being able to share documents online is also a time saver since people can just grab it when they're able to.

 

Fifth, where would we be without our downtime? Having fun on or offline? I like my games just as much as the next person.

 

So, this is as far as I'll go here. But I'm really curious to see how others feel. Being more of a tech forum so to speak, this really outta be interesting. Remember though, no bashing on others ideas.

 

[Gump]

There's two sides to every coin: something that can be applied to just about every situation. For example,let's take your jobs example. While yes, average businesses sales will decrease and us reduce the need for employees, think about what the computer industry for jobs at the same time. The computer field is growing very fast, maybe even comparable to the medical industry. By 2020, we're actually going to be down 150000 computer programmers. Just remember: while some cashier may not have a job anymore, that computer program took multiple people to make a program, and likely still have to fix bugs that occur. Not to mention, there needs to be someone who makes sure someone isn't cheating the self checkout by not scanning products, or there to help with an issue. So one job might be gone, but only after multiple jobs have been filled.

 

Of course there are cons, but the great thing about the computer industry is that we can fix these cons.

 

As for your phone argument, that isn't entirely true everywhere. My school runs a semi-annual recycle phones week, and each time we get over 1200 phones. For the record, that is equal to 1.5 phones per student in my school. And after that, the football team goes around collecting working phones and donates them to soldiers in Afghanistan. I myself make sure I recycle everything I can, due to working at a nature center. I'm not saying its like this everywhere, but in my area we're very good about our electronics.

[Librarian]

Books can just as easily be burned with fire. I'm sure cars put a lot of people out of jobs as well, does that make them bad? Books use paper, paper requires trees. The only bad thing about the Internet I can think of is that because it is so big, it can't really be monitored. Computers don't put people out of jobs, greedy millionairs do. Don't take this comment too seriosly, just sayin'.

[!Tommy]

There's two sides to every coin: something that can be applied to just about every situation. For example,let's take your jobs example. While yes, average businesses sales will decrease and us reduce the need for employees, think about what the computer industry for jobs at the same time. The computer field is growing very fast, maybe even comparable to the medical industry. By 2020, we're actually going to be down 150000 computer programmers. Just remember: while some cashier may not have a job anymore, that computer program took multiple people to make a program, and likely still have to fix bugs that occur. Not to mention, there needs to be someone who makes sure someone isn't cheating the self checkout by not scanning products, or there to help with an issue. So one job might be gone, but only after multiple jobs have been filled.Of course there are cons, but the great thing about the computer industry is that we can fix these cons.As for your phone argument, that isn't entirely true everywhere. My school runs a semi-annual recycle phones week, and each time we get over 1200 phones. For the record, that is equal to 1.5 phones per student in my school. And after that, the football team goes around collecting working phones and donates them to soldiers in Afghanistan. I myself make sure I recycle everything I can, due to working at a nature center. I'm not saying its like this everywhere, but in my area we're very good about our electronics.

I love the idea of recycle drives! I think it's a great thing and I believe there should at least be more stations out where people can drop off used electronics. Now I live in somewhat of a rural area so I don't have many options like that. Of course I don't own a smartphone and never will so that's not an issue for me But for the other people, if you're gonna upgrade, recycle your old device! There is two sides to every coin and it's funny you bring up computer programming. While you guys are smart...what about when you're gone? As you said, computer programmers will be down, if people don't get the smarts to program these machines...how will you progress? It's bad enough when people need a computer to tell them how to make freakin change! It's sad when you have to tell a cashier what change you should be getting back. But I'm afraid if people don't get smarter, when the smart ones die off...who'll be there to program these things? You know?

 

Books can just as easily be burned with fire. I'm sure cars put a lot of people out of jobs as well, does that make them bad? Books use paper, paper requires trees. The only bad thing about the Internet I can think of is that because it is so big, it can't really be monitored. Computers don't put people out of jobs, greedy millionairs do. Don't take this comment too seriosly, just sayin'.

 

 

No, you're absolutely right. Especially with Obamacare coming into play, many employers are cutting back hours just to avoid paying health care benefits to their workers because "they can't afford it". I mean...seriously? You raise the prices of your products to terribly ridiculous levels and then work your employees to the bone for little pay? Yes, you can afford it, you just don't want to.

Edited May 13, 2013 by !Tommy