Comments on: Twitter and Facebook may damage our sense of morality http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2009/04/14/twitter-and-facebook-may-damage-our-sense-of-morality/ Daily views on British politics and the Conservative Party from a centre-right thinker who writes letters on his blog to politicians, journalists and many others. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:31:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: LFAT http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2009/04/14/twitter-and-facebook-may-damage-our-sense-of-morality/#comment-8834 LFAT Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:00:15 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=2776#comment-8834 Linda, the online world does offer a lot of possibilities for discussion but I think it's fair to say that the 'feedback' can sometimes be a little, shall we say, coarse?<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('8834','LFAT'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('8834','LFAT','Linda, the online world does offer a lot of possibilities for discussion but I think it\'s fair to say that the \'feedback\' can sometimes be a little, shall we say, coarse?'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> Linda, the online world does offer a lot of possibilities for discussion but I think it’s fair to say that the ‘feedback’ can sometimes be a little, shall we say, coarse?
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]]> By: Linda_Margaret http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2009/04/14/twitter-and-facebook-may-damage-our-sense-of-morality/#comment-8832 Linda_Margaret Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:53:26 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=2776#comment-8832 I think that software tools are definitely what you make of them. We can access more information in a day than people in the 1800s could access in a week. The problem, as this article and the comments note, is processing that information. Luckily, online networks can help us with that, offering discussions and related links. Taking the time to choose what's important and process all the additional ideas yourself is your choice--but sharing your results and getting (relatively unlimited) feedback on your reflection is something that the Internet makes possible.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('8832','Linda_Margaret'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('8832','Linda_Margaret','I think that software tools are definitely what you make of them. We can access more information in a day than people in the 1800s could access in a week. The problem, as this article and the comments note, is processing that information. Luckily, online networks can help us with that, offering discussions and related links. Taking the time to choose what\'s important and process all the additional ideas yourself is your choice--but sharing your results and getting (relatively unlimited) feedback on your reflection is something that the Internet makes possible.'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> I think that software tools are definitely what you make of them. We can access more information in a day than people in the 1800s could access in a week. The problem, as this article and the comments note, is processing that information. Luckily, online networks can help us with that, offering discussions and related links. Taking the time to choose what’s important and process all the additional ideas yourself is your choice–but sharing your results and getting (relatively unlimited) feedback on your reflection is something that the Internet makes possible.
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]]> By: Candid http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2009/04/14/twitter-and-facebook-may-damage-our-sense-of-morality/#comment-8814 Candid Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:51:23 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=2776#comment-8814 It's how the whole world works these days. Our meagre brains evolved when we were more tribal and would travel only to neighbouring tribes. Our poor wee noggins can't keep up with the pace of life in the modern world, which is probably one of the reasons for so many mental abnormalities - such as schizophrenia. We have created a completely abnormal world for ourselves. This may not be out in PNAS yet but it is not all that a surprising result.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('8814','Candid'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('8814','Candid','It\'s how the whole world works these days. Our meagre brains evolved when we were more tribal and would travel only to neighbouring tribes. Our poor wee noggins can\'t keep up with the pace of life in the modern world, which is probably one of the reasons for so many mental abnormalities - such as schizophrenia. We have created a completely abnormal world for ourselves. This may not be out in PNAS yet but it is not all that a surprising result.'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> It’s how the whole world works these days. Our meagre brains evolved when we were more tribal and would travel only to neighbouring tribes. Our poor wee noggins can’t keep up with the pace of life in the modern world, which is probably one of the reasons for so many mental abnormalities – such as schizophrenia. We have created a completely abnormal world for ourselves. This may not be out in PNAS yet but it is not all that a surprising result.
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]]> By: neur http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2009/04/14/twitter-and-facebook-may-damage-our-sense-of-morality/#comment-8812 neur Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:20:26 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=2776#comment-8812 Amazing how quick some are to reply to a mere headline and mainstream news coverage before the full report is even out in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This is exactly what the study is talking about. Take some time to reflect and get informed before you bash "another bunch of scientists" and their "crackpot evidence".<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('8812','neur'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('8812','neur','Amazing how quick some are to reply to a mere headline and mainstream news coverage before the full report is even out in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This is exactly what the study is talking about. Take some time to reflect and get informed before you bash \"another bunch of scientists\" and their \"crackpot evidence\".'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> Amazing how quick some are to reply to a mere headline and mainstream news coverage before the full report is even out in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This is exactly what the study is talking about. Take some time to reflect and get informed before you bash “another bunch of scientists” and their “crackpot evidence”.
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]]> By: LFAT http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2009/04/14/twitter-and-facebook-may-damage-our-sense-of-morality/#comment-8810 LFAT Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:11:16 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=2776#comment-8810 So many wonderful sleaze scandals to discuss.....<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('8810','LFAT'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('8810','LFAT','So many wonderful sleaze scandals to discuss.....'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> So many wonderful sleaze scandals to discuss…..
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]]> By: dmc http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2009/04/14/twitter-and-facebook-may-damage-our-sense-of-morality/#comment-8809 dmc Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:46:47 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=2776#comment-8809 Messenger is more natural,you either type or speak through a microphone/cam.I use it to keep in touch with family abroad,can see them on cam too,makes hell of a difference.You can leave messages offline as well as send files,even chat all night for free.I've met a lot of friends with the same interest worldwide too,something you couldn't do locally. Twitter is more soundbite,no substance,no time to react before the next message is there.To me it is more of an ego thing whereas messenger goes at a natural pace. I agree not so many read books now,but then i was lucky to be brought up before the electronic age took off.I still read a lot but surf a lot too.So many wonderful things to find out about.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('8809','dmc'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('8809','dmc','Messenger is more natural,you either type or speak through a microphone\/cam.I use it to keep in touch with family abroad,can see them on cam too,makes hell of a difference.You can leave messages offline as well as send files,even chat all night for free.I\'ve met a lot of friends with the same interest worldwide too,something you couldn\'t do locally.\nTwitter is more soundbite,no substance,no time to react before the next message is there.To me it is more of an ego thing whereas messenger goes at a natural pace.\nI agree not so many read books now,but then i was lucky to be brought up before the electronic age took off.I still read a lot but surf a lot too.So many wonderful things to find out about.'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> Messenger is more natural,you either type or speak through a microphone/cam.I use it to keep in touch with family abroad,can see them on cam too,makes hell of a difference.You can leave messages offline as well as send files,even chat all night for free.I’ve met a lot of friends with the same interest worldwide too,something you couldn’t do locally.
Twitter is more soundbite,no substance,no time to react before the next message is there.To me it is more of an ego thing whereas messenger goes at a natural pace.
I agree not so many read books now,but then i was lucky to be brought up before the electronic age took off.I still read a lot but surf a lot too.So many wonderful things to find out about.
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]]> By: LFAT http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2009/04/14/twitter-and-facebook-may-damage-our-sense-of-morality/#comment-8805 LFAT Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:50:08 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=2776#comment-8805 Social networking might be opt-in but peer pressure doesn't leave the individual with all the power. Picking up a book is fast becoming secondary to spending time at the computer and flicking through vast amounts of information.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('8805','LFAT'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('8805','LFAT','Social networking might be opt-in but peer pressure doesn\'t leave the individual with all the power. Picking up a book is fast becoming secondary to spending time at the computer and flicking through vast amounts of information.'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> Social networking might be opt-in but peer pressure doesn’t leave the individual with all the power. Picking up a book is fast becoming secondary to spending time at the computer and flicking through vast amounts of information.
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]]> By: Stu http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2009/04/14/twitter-and-facebook-may-damage-our-sense-of-morality/#comment-8804 Stu Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:45:53 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=2776#comment-8804 <em>"If we have a Twitter page sending us hundreds of snippets of information a day, the BBC website sending us constant updates on the news, our RSS feed picking up all our favourite blogs and - dare I say it - a life to lead and a job to do at the same time, where do we fit in time to think, to consider, to reflect?"</em> I've heard this sort of argument before, but I think it's more than adequately combatted by two things: firstly, all of the social networking is opt-in. Hence, if you want time to think or read a book, you just put it all down and wonder off to reflect and think. Easy. Secondly, a quote from Steve Jobs: <strong>""You watch television to turn your brain off and you work on your computer when you want to turn your brain on."</strong> The internet has an overall positive impact on thought. I think.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('8804','Stu'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('8804','Stu','<em>\"If we have a Twitter page sending us hundreds of snippets of information a day, the BBC website sending us constant updates on the news, our RSS feed picking up all our favourite blogs and - dare I say it - a life to lead and a job to do at the same time, where do we fit in time to think, to consider, to reflect?\"<\/em>\r\n\r\nI\'ve heard this sort of argument before, but I think it\'s more than adequately combatted by two things: firstly, all of the social networking is opt-in. Hence, if you want time to think or read a book, you just put it all down and wonder off to reflect and think. Easy.\r\n\r\nSecondly, a quote from Steve Jobs: <strong>\"\"You watch television to turn your brain off and you work on your computer when you want to turn your brain on.\"<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe internet has an overall positive impact on thought. I think.'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> “If we have a Twitter page sending us hundreds of snippets of information a day, the BBC website sending us constant updates on the news, our RSS feed picking up all our favourite blogs and – dare I say it – a life to lead and a job to do at the same time, where do we fit in time to think, to consider, to reflect?”

I’ve heard this sort of argument before, but I think it’s more than adequately combatted by two things: firstly, all of the social networking is opt-in. Hence, if you want time to think or read a book, you just put it all down and wonder off to reflect and think. Easy.

Secondly, a quote from Steve Jobs: “”You watch television to turn your brain off and you work on your computer when you want to turn your brain on.”

The internet has an overall positive impact on thought. I think.

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]]> By: LFAT http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2009/04/14/twitter-and-facebook-may-damage-our-sense-of-morality/#comment-8802 LFAT Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:29:30 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=2776#comment-8802 Not sure I agree with that. After the complete failure that is Labourlist, I'm beginning to think that anything vaguely technical is way beyond the few brain cells in 10 Downing Street.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('8802','LFAT'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('8802','LFAT','Not sure I agree with that. After the complete failure that is Labourlist, I\'m beginning to think that anything vaguely technical is way beyond the few brain cells in 10 Downing Street.'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> Not sure I agree with that. After the complete failure that is Labourlist, I’m beginning to think that anything vaguely technical is way beyond the few brain cells in 10 Downing Street.
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]]> By: JuliaM http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2009/04/14/twitter-and-facebook-may-damage-our-sense-of-morality/#comment-8799 JuliaM Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:56:45 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=2776#comment-8799 How lucky for beleagured Gordon that the papers are happy to present 'OMG! Innernets makes yr kidz psychopaths!' stories this morning, isn't it? Right after the weekend when he found out how dangerous the internet can be... Still, merely a coincidence, I'm sure.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('8799','JuliaM'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('8799','JuliaM','How lucky for beleagured Gordon that the papers are happy to present \'OMG! Innernets makes yr kidz psychopaths!\' stories this morning, isn\'t it?\r\n\r\nRight after the weekend when he found out how dangerous the internet can be...\r\n\r\nStill, merely a coincidence, I\'m sure.'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> How lucky for beleagured Gordon that the papers are happy to present ‘OMG! Innernets makes yr kidz psychopaths!’ stories this morning, isn’t it?

Right after the weekend when he found out how dangerous the internet can be…

Still, merely a coincidence, I’m sure.

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