Has technology ruined the art of conversation?

[abaris]

I also play tabletop rpgs (such as D&D) and I've had to make a hard rule about restricting electronic devices at the table. Some people just can't set their phones down for more than five minutes. I have to gather them up and put them in another room before we can start.

Lucky we played our D&D sessions in the 80ies then. No mobile device to be had in these years. I can't imagine how this goes down these days.

[brewer]

Ever been at a brick and mortar, ready to spend the money, and the service person hears the phone ring, answers and then proceeds to talk for 5 to 10 minutes? Unless I really need to make the purchase that's a walk off also.

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I also play tabletop rpgs (such as D&D) and I've had to make a hard rule about restricting electronic devices at the table. Some people just can't set their phones down for more than five minutes. I have to gather them up and put them in another room before we can start.

Lucky we played our D&D sessions in the 80ies then. No mobile device to be had in these years. I can't imagine how this goes down these days.

We had bong intrusions.

[paulpablo]

It's made conversation better because now you don't have to talk to the person in front of you who's boring the fuck out of you in work and you can talk to people you actually do like.

I don't go out to pubs or clubs anyway and I don't go to college or anything like that but from what I've seen it's a pretty astute observation to say young people are zombified by their phones.

One thing that I find to be the epitome of vanity and pretenciousness is certain types of selfies I've seen other people taking on a night out, I'm tempted to say it's usually women who do this but I could be wrong.

It's the kind of selfie where you can see the person doesn't look happy, they might even look a bit pissed off or annoyed.   Then the phone comes out and for a few moments their facial expression changes to where it looks like they've won a substantial amount of money and their wildest dreams have come true. Based on that one facial expression you'd think that this moment was the most exciting part of their life that's happened so far  And then the picture's taken and the face goes back to normal again.

I think it's a case of everyone trying to look like their having the most fun, but when you can see the person taking that selfie it's obvious they're not enjoying a moment in their life they're just taking a picture at a certain angle and giving a certain facial expression to make it look like that's the case.  When I was young everyone seemed to be more focused on getting hammered and actually enjoying the moment of going out.

But when I take a girl out or I'm out at the cinema I'm not one of those phone people.  The only time I might take my phone out is to fact check something that we're talking about.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Ever been at a brick and mortar, ready to spend the money, and the service person hears the phone ring, answers and then proceeds to talk for 5 to 10 minutes? Unless I really need to make the purchase that's a walk off also.

That's a talk-to-the-manager issue for me, if it's not a business phone.

[Seraphina]

I've been out to the pub tonight with friends.
Within minutes of being there they were on their phones, checking Facebook, text messages and the like.
In my opinion gone are the days when you could just be out talking and enjoying each others company.
I couldn't get a word in edgeways without being interrupted by an annoying ping or ringtone, looking around I saw couples out for meals constantly checking their phones for updates.
What the hell is going on?
Does this annoy anyone else? or am I miserable or behind the times or something?

It's disgusting, I hate it. People like to blame the younger generation for being like this but I see people of all ages addicted to their phones.

I don't socialize with people who are like this. They get weeded out.

What a sad, empty life it must be to live all of your waking hours on a tiny screen. Not for me, no thanks.

[Iroscato]

No, you lot are just old and bewildered by a changing world.

[Thumpalumpacus]

No, you lot are just old and bewildered by a changing world.

You'd best get off'n the lawn, young'un.

[Fireball]

Before cell phones, (yup, I'm that old), I was sitting in my office talking to someone and the phone rang. I ignored it. The guy asked if I was going to answer that call, and I told him, "If it is important, they'll leave a message or call back. You've taken the time to come to my office to discuss an important issue, and you have priority, not the phone. Besides which, it's pretty rude to pick up the phone, as though our conversation was not that important." I've always held that the here and now of social relations is what is important, not the intrusion of a phone call. I've had people pick up on a phone call and talk endlessly, when I had taken the time to go to their office for information. One of those people had puzzles on their desk for visitors to play with while he talked on the phone.   I've actually told him to call me when he has the time, and went back to my office to do some real work. A question for those people who have to be on the phone all the time, like when I'm out riding my bike for exercise. A lot of people are out walking or riding, and they have a phone to their ear. So, what the hell did you do before that phone was available? Wait half an hour or so to answer the message on you home phone? What would that hurt? It's better than falling in a hole because you were staring at your little phone screen!

[Assimilate]

I remember the gold of days of having a phone number book. Anyways, the younger generation is obviously glued to their phones, I see older people too. I can understand the reasons why it's in their face so much, but I also think their is a time and a place. In the long run their missing out in some qualities of life, imo. It's their lives though, and if thats how they want to live it, then that's fine. Wall-E got what future will look like right.

[brewer]

Ever been at a brick and mortar, ready to spend the money, and the service person hears the phone ring, answers and then proceeds to talk for 5 to 10 minutes? Unless I really need to make the purchase that's a walk off also.

That's a talk-to-the-manager issue for me, if it's not a business phone.

Nope, business phone. Apparently "please hold, I'm with another customer" was not an option.