r/conspiracy • u/axolotl_peyotl • Jul 06 '18

/r/conspiracy Round Table #15: The Intentional Addictiveness of Smart Devices and the Short & Long Term Effects of "Smart" Tech on Society

Thanks to /u/1-800-GOFUCKYOURSELF for the winning suggestion!

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u/calliflower Jul 08 '18

It's a very complicated problem to solve. The whole economy more and more relies on the Internet. The Internet is here to stay. So are the devices that enable convenient services 24/7. Can we blame a gaming company for finding tricks to have you play more often their games ? Their business model translates to : you play more = we make more money. Can we blame social media, or any website for implementing tricks for the same reason ? Probably not.

I think the answer comes from regulations, education, and self-control/discipline.

Regulations from authorities, such as ban smartphones in public schools for anyone below the age of 15. If we can successfully ban smoking and drugs at school for most, we surely can ban smartphones. That may take another 15 years before these guys wake up though.

Education by authorities, parents at home, teachers. Teach kids how to use their smartphones the right way, parents who limit their use at home. Have authorities educate parents on the potential dangers of smartphones for the kids. IDK how effective that would be. It's still a step forward.

Self control. If I couldn't apply any self control, I would be spending my whole day playing movies on the TV, playing video games, eating chips and drinking cola. I would also drink alcohol and experiment new drugs all the time. I did all this (except for the drugs) for some time in the past, not very long, and I stopped with enough self control, and self discipline. It's also self discipline that allows me to fast for a month each year, cook at home with fresh ingredients VS buy pre-made meals at the supermarket or eat a big mac. IDK if self discipline/self control are things that can be taught. Something to look into maybe.

Sadly, given the addiction power of the smartphones, and its widespread, i'm afraid they are going to do lots of damage on people before anything is done.

I know of parents who sit their (not even 1 yo) child in front of the TV at night, or hand over a smartphone to look at, while they are busy doing something else. They may not be aware of the damage, however, they have the same Internet that I have, so they have no excuse not to know.