Volconvo is a debate forum for the discussion of political, religious, and news-based topics.

castille · Feb 1, 2004, 07:57 am

Is it just me, or are our society becoming more anti-social?

On the train, everybody sits with their head down, ignoring everyone's gaze. Some people have a laptop open. One guy's actually watching a portable TV.

Today, when you chat up a random girl while walking down the street (or a guy, if you're female), most people find it extremely strange. When I randomly talk to a stranger, especially if its a girl, most of my friends say things like "Are you mad? She'll think you're a freak."

Well, it doesn't happen. 5% of people will think you're a freak, but the other 95% will find you to be quite friendly (as long as you dont threaten to kill them). And another 5% will go out with you

My grandad can still remember a time when you made friends by talking to people while buying some bread, or chat to a few guys while sitting on the bus station.

Today, most people at the bus station try to shut themselves off from each other.

When I was a kid, we moved into a new apartment in a quiet suburb. The neighbours greeted us with a basket of bread fresh from their oven, and we went over for a small dinner party. Our families became good friends.

10 years later, I move out to an apartment near college. Most of the people, some of them college students, put their head down while walking down the corridor. I greet most of the people on my floor, but every time I knocked on a door, it was 5 minutes before the resident actually unlatched the security chain!

I don't blame this problem on America, or capitalism, or the church or whatever. I blame this problem on people. As we become an "advanced" society, we no longer see the need for friendships. Instead, we're becoming absorbed in our computer games and television and chat rooms (why the hell would you go into a chat room when theres a billion people out there to talk to in REAL LIFE).

Those of you who enjoy living hermit lifestyles, you don't need to move to the country. The city is already a place where everyone is shutting themselves off from the physical world, and entering the "global village" or "cyberspace". People don't need social skills anymore; all you need to do is type some bs into your "chat room".

Like they said, before getting to know some weird guy in Argentina, how about chatting with the neighbours?

**Pooeypants** · Feb 1, 2004, 10:58 am

Says you typing here on the forums and spending endless amount of time arguing over politics, in a virtual room, so to speak.

castille · Feb 2, 2004, 06:59 am

This is a political discussion forum, not a social forum. Nobody here even knows each other. And in physical conversation, college people don't talk about politics (its rude, unless its to laugh at hippies).

The time when I'm not on the net, I'm usually with other people. I don't watch television except for Seinfield. I'm good friends with most of my neighbours (the ones my age), and I occasionally talk to strangers on the train or footpath.

So no, I'm not being hypocritical.

Catch 22 · Feb 2, 2004, 01:08 pm

we're not anti social society. if anything we're a veerrrry social society. So much to the point where we WANT to be alone. Sorry buddy but everyone is always connected to everyone else all the time. Nobody has any time to himself or herself anymore. Obviously then they might enjoy the hour or so they spend on the train as time to think and reflect. I know I sometimes enjoy some time to think before I am thrown into the non-stop social scenario that is my day.

Man Against Time · Feb 2, 2004, 01:20 pm

I think the problem is that we are too social. It turns my stomach when I see how many people remain on cell phones in grocery stores, on lines all over town, outside of classes at school, for a shitty little 5 minute break during class, etc.

What the fuck are these people talking about?! I think people are too social, too reliant on everyone else's opinion and everyone else's intervention. Maybe you just live in a dreary town, because on all the buses I've been on, people start up conversations left and right. The same is true of trains; when people ignore each other, I notice, its usually because of the presence of someone that is intimidating, like a gang of very loud and rude, annoying black guys. People do not want to call attention to themselves out of fear.

But whenever everyone on the bus or train is nonthreatening, interaction is inevitable.

JustinGilmore · Feb 3, 2004, 01:34 am

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (castille,)
This is a political discussion forum, not a social forum. Nobody here even knows each other. And in physical conversation, college people don't talk about politics (its rude, unless its to laugh at hippies).

The time when I'm not on the net, I'm usually with other people. I don't watch television except for Seinfield. I'm good friends with most of my neighbours (the ones my age), and I occasionally talk to strangers on the train or footpath.

So no, I'm not being hypocritical.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

You're wrong. This section of the forum is called, "Society and Rights" That's pretty broad, and this topic is just as valid as any others. Also-how is it rude to talk about politics, esp. wile in college? That's simply wrong-political talk should be encouraged whenever possible, most of the American population is already not aware, and lack of disgussion is practically why.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by
I think the problem is that we are too social. It turns my stomach when I see how many people remain on cell phones in grocery stores, on lines all over town, outside of classes at school, for a shitty little 5 minute break during class, etc.

What the fuck are these people talking about?! I think people are too social, too reliant on everyone else's opinion and everyone else's intervention. Maybe you just live in a dreary town, because on all the buses I've been on, people start up conversations left and right. The same is true of trains; when people ignore each other, I notice, its usually because of the presence of someone that is intimidating, like a gang of very loud and rude, annoying black guys. People do not want to call attention to themselves out of fear.
<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

I strongly dissagree. New technology such as cell phones, text messaging, online messaging, email, and forums have played a large part in the isolation of todays american population. The human psych demands PHYSICAL contact with other humans, this is basically part of our nature, we're physical creatures. You would think that todays new communication technologies would have boosted social contact, though they have done the opposite, most have infact isolated many from physical contact with others. Think about it, what's company if you can message them over the internet? What's a fight if you're emailing each other back and forth? The point is that these new technologies are makeing people more and more antisocial every day. For example: Each year more Americans will drone on into oblivion on their computers rather than going out with their friends. For more information of how Americans are becoming more isolated, check out this book:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...978339?v=glance

Man Against Time · Feb 4, 2004, 09:20 am

Are you saying being on a cell phone in the middle of class is not a social thing? You are telling me that because people tuck themselves away TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS ALL DAY, that they are isolated?

They are isolated in the sense that they have zero meaningful attachments to their community, their friends, even their families, but talking to a guy on the bus is not a meaningful attachment. People are still very plugged into each other and ever more dependent on the opinion of crowds and others.

And you didnt address my point about fear. I see people talking all the time on the bus and train; the only time they dont is when loud and obnoxious niggers are hooting and hollering and they all look down afraid of them.

Impenitent · Feb 4, 2004, 10:40 am

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Man Against Time,)
Are you saying being on a cell phone in the middle of class is not a social thing? You are telling me that because people tuck themselves away TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS ALL DAY, that they are isolated?

They are isolated in the sense that they have zero meaningful attachments to their community, their friends, even their families, but talking to a guy on the bus is not a meaningful attachment. People are still very plugged into each other and ever more dependent on the opinion of crowds and others.

And you didnt address my point about fear. I see people talking all the time on the bus and train; the only time they dont is when loud and obnoxious niggers are hooting and hollering and they all look down afraid of them.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>
if you are on a cell phone in the middle of class you get an automatic F... very rude and disrespectful

the evaporation of civility and good manners illustrates the coarsening nature of society

greedy selfish bastards looking out for themselves...

let's all hold hands and join the communist commune... right

eburchelli · Feb 4, 2004, 12:10 pm

Impenitent comes close to a problem of our societal ills. Civility and lack of manners. In fact, I don't believe manners are taught to kids anymore. It's another place where parents have relinquished their responsibilities to their offspring. If they thought it would get taught in school, they thought wrong.

Another problem is lack of respect. This includes for oneself, which is the basis for lack of it with other people. The loosening of morals has created a climate of intolerance to any kind of structured behavior. So whatever feels good, do it.

If we allow the inmates to take over the asylum, we can all be considered as insane as they are.

Packratt · Feb 12, 2004, 08:58 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (eburchelli,)
Impenitent comes close to a problem of our societal ills. Civility and lack of manners. In fact, I don't believe manners are taught to kids anymore. It's another place where parents have relinquished their responsibilities to their offspring. If they thought it would get taught in school, they thought wrong.

Another problem is lack of respect. This includes for oneself, which is the basis for lack of it with other people. The loosening of morals has created a climate of intolerance to any kind of structured behavior. So whatever feels good, do it.

If we allow the inmates to take over the asylum, we can all be considered as insane as they are.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

I would opine, then, that we are in a sociopathic society, not an antisocial society.

After all, it is considered a hallmark of sociopathy when one does what feels right without regard to others since the sociopath has no concept of other, only self.

JustinGilmore · Feb 13, 2004, 01:06 am

We're deffinatly an anti social people. Phones, text messaging, instant messaging, email, and forums do devalue actual person to person contact. And the catch is that, person to person contact is something which the human race needs to survive.

I don't consider a person who stays in all day, and talks to his "friends" from his computer a social person.

Feb 1, 2004, 07:57 am	#1 (permalink) (top)
castille Citizen #21521 Posts: 2,599	Is it just me, or are our society becoming more anti-social? On the train, everybody sits with their head down, ignoring everyone's gaze. Some people have a laptop open. One guy's actually watching a portable TV. Today, when you chat up a random girl while walking down the street (or a guy, if you're female), most people find it extremely strange. When I randomly talk to a stranger, especially if its a girl, most of my friends say things like "Are you mad? She'll think you're a freak." Well, it doesn't happen. 5% of people will think you're a freak, but the other 95% will find you to be quite friendly (as long as you dont threaten to kill them). And another 5% will go out with you My grandad can still remember a time when you made friends by talking to people while buying some bread, or chat to a few guys while sitting on the bus station. Today, most people at the bus station try to shut themselves off from each other. When I was a kid, we moved into a new apartment in a quiet suburb. The neighbours greeted us with a basket of bread fresh from their oven, and we went over for a small dinner party. Our families became good friends. 10 years later, I move out to an apartment near college. Most of the people, some of them college students, put their head down while walking down the corridor. I greet most of the people on my floor, but every time I knocked on a door, it was 5 minutes before the resident actually unlatched the security chain! I don't blame this problem on America, or capitalism, or the church or whatever. I blame this problem on people. As we become an "advanced" society, we no longer see the need for friendships. Instead, we're becoming absorbed in our computer games and television and chat rooms (why the hell would you go into a chat room when theres a billion people out there to talk to in REAL LIFE). Those of you who enjoy living hermit lifestyles, you don't need to move to the country. The city is already a place where everyone is shutting themselves off from the physical world, and entering the "global village" or "cyberspace". People don't need social skills anymore; all you need to do is type some bs into your "chat room". Like they said, before getting to know some weird guy in Argentina, how about chatting with the neighbours? Ideological loyalty is the act of giving your soul to a vague concept, to be manipulated by people smarter than you.

Feb 1, 2004, 10:58 am	#2 (permalink) (top)
Pooeypants Neo Moderator Location: England Posts: 5,546	Says you typing here on the forums and spending endless amount of time arguing over politics, in a virtual room, so to speak. War is Peace Freedom is Slavery Ignorance is strength Harness the power of Ingsoc, then you can capture someone killed the year before

Feb 2, 2004, 06:59 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
castille Citizen #21521 Posts: 2,599	This is a political discussion forum, not a social forum. Nobody here even knows each other. And in physical conversation, college people don't talk about politics (its rude, unless its to laugh at hippies). The time when I'm not on the net, I'm usually with other people. I don't watch television except for Seinfield. I'm good friends with most of my neighbours (the ones my age), and I occasionally talk to strangers on the train or footpath. So no, I'm not being hypocritical. Ideological loyalty is the act of giving your soul to a vague concept, to be manipulated by people smarter than you.

Feb 2, 2004, 01:08 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
Catch 22 Igneous Magma Location: New York Posts: 374	we're not anti social society. if anything we're a veerrrry social society. So much to the point where we WANT to be alone. Sorry buddy but everyone is always connected to everyone else all the time. Nobody has any time to himself or herself anymore. Obviously then they might enjoy the hour or so they spend on the train as time to think and reflect. I know I sometimes enjoy some time to think before I am thrown into the non-stop social scenario that is my day. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, militarism and economic exploitation are incapable of being conquered Martin Luther King Jr.

Feb 2, 2004, 01:20 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
Man Against Time Molten Ash Location: NJ Posts: 113	I think the problem is that we are too social. It turns my stomach when I see how many people remain on cell phones in grocery stores, on lines all over town, outside of classes at school, for a shitty little 5 minute break during class, etc. What the fuck are these people talking about?! I think people are too social, too reliant on everyone else's opinion and everyone else's intervention. Maybe you just live in a dreary town, because on all the buses I've been on, people start up conversations left and right. The same is true of trains; when people ignore each other, I notice, its usually because of the presence of someone that is intimidating, like a gang of very loud and rude, annoying black guys. People do not want to call attention to themselves out of fear. But whenever everyone on the bus or train is nonthreatening, interaction is inevitable. "Die! Fall upon your sword. Fall upon your knee. Die like your Son, nailed to his Tree. Die by my hand. Die in my heart, plucked from the Ice; forever cold."

Feb 3, 2004, 01:34 am	#6 (permalink) (top)
JustinGilmore Molten Ash Location: US, California Posts: 44	</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (castille,) This is a political discussion forum, not a social forum. Nobody here even knows each other. And in physical conversation, college people don't talk about politics (its rude, unless its to laugh at hippies). The time when I'm not on the net, I'm usually with other people. I don't watch television except for Seinfield. I'm good friends with most of my neighbours (the ones my age), and I occasionally talk to strangers on the train or footpath. So no, I'm not being hypocritical.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> You're wrong. This section of the forum is called, "Society and Rights" That's pretty broad, and this topic is just as valid as any others. Also-how is it rude to talk about politics, esp. wile in college? That's simply wrong-political talk should be encouraged whenever possible, most of the American population is already not aware, and lack of disgussion is practically why. </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by I think the problem is that we are too social. It turns my stomach when I see how many people remain on cell phones in grocery stores, on lines all over town, outside of classes at school, for a shitty little 5 minute break during class, etc. What the fuck are these people talking about?! I think people are too social, too reliant on everyone else's opinion and everyone else's intervention. Maybe you just live in a dreary town, because on all the buses I've been on, people start up conversations left and right. The same is true of trains; when people ignore each other, I notice, its usually because of the presence of someone that is intimidating, like a gang of very loud and rude, annoying black guys. People do not want to call attention to themselves out of fear. <hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> I strongly dissagree. New technology such as cell phones, text messaging, online messaging, email, and forums have played a large part in the isolation of todays american population. The human psych demands PHYSICAL contact with other humans, this is basically part of our nature, we're physical creatures. You would think that todays new communication technologies would have boosted social contact, though they have done the opposite, most have infact isolated many from physical contact with others. Think about it, what's company if you can message them over the internet? What's a fight if you're emailing each other back and forth? The point is that these new technologies are makeing people more and more antisocial every day. For example: Each year more Americans will drone on into oblivion on their computers rather than going out with their friends. For more information of how Americans are becoming more isolated, check out this book: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...978339?v=glance ...weird

Feb 4, 2004, 09:20 am	#7 (permalink) (top)
Man Against Time Molten Ash Location: NJ Posts: 113	Are you saying being on a cell phone in the middle of class is not a social thing? You are telling me that because people tuck themselves away TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS ALL DAY, that they are isolated? They are isolated in the sense that they have zero meaningful attachments to their community, their friends, even their families, but talking to a guy on the bus is not a meaningful attachment. People are still very plugged into each other and ever more dependent on the opinion of crowds and others. And you didnt address my point about fear. I see people talking all the time on the bus and train; the only time they dont is when loud and obnoxious niggers are hooting and hollering and they all look down afraid of them. "Die! Fall upon your sword. Fall upon your knee. Die like your Son, nailed to his Tree. Die by my hand. Die in my heart, plucked from the Ice; forever cold."

Feb 4, 2004, 10:40 am	#8 (permalink) (top)
Impenitent Hot Lava Posts: 1,859	</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Man Against Time,) Are you saying being on a cell phone in the middle of class is not a social thing? You are telling me that because people tuck themselves away TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS ALL DAY, that they are isolated? They are isolated in the sense that they have zero meaningful attachments to their community, their friends, even their families, but talking to a guy on the bus is not a meaningful attachment. People are still very plugged into each other and ever more dependent on the opinion of crowds and others. And you didnt address my point about fear. I see people talking all the time on the bus and train; the only time they dont is when loud and obnoxious niggers are hooting and hollering and they all look down afraid of them.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> if you are on a cell phone in the middle of class you get an automatic F... very rude and disrespectful the evaporation of civility and good manners illustrates the coarsening nature of society greedy selfish bastards looking out for themselves... let's all hold hands and join the communist commune... right "I really like this jacket, but the sleeves are much too long..." insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results...

Feb 4, 2004, 12:10 pm	#9 (permalink) (top)
eburchelli Molten Ash Posts: 106	Impenitent comes close to a problem of our societal ills. Civility and lack of manners. In fact, I don't believe manners are taught to kids anymore. It's another place where parents have relinquished their responsibilities to their offspring. If they thought it would get taught in school, they thought wrong. Another problem is lack of respect. This includes for oneself, which is the basis for lack of it with other people. The loosening of morals has created a climate of intolerance to any kind of structured behavior. So whatever feels good, do it. If we allow the inmates to take over the asylum, we can all be considered as insane as they are.

Feb 12, 2004, 08:58 pm	#10 (permalink) (top)
Packratt Molten Ash Location: Crimetown USA Posts: 130	</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (eburchelli,) Impenitent comes close to a problem of our societal ills. Civility and lack of manners. In fact, I don't believe manners are taught to kids anymore. It's another place where parents have relinquished their responsibilities to their offspring. If they thought it would get taught in school, they thought wrong. Another problem is lack of respect. This includes for oneself, which is the basis for lack of it with other people. The loosening of morals has created a climate of intolerance to any kind of structured behavior. So whatever feels good, do it. If we allow the inmates to take over the asylum, we can all be considered as insane as they are.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> I would opine, then, that we are in a sociopathic society, not an antisocial society. After all, it is considered a hallmark of sociopathy when one does what feels right without regard to others since the sociopath has no concept of other, only self. "...the worker's liberty... is only a theoretical freedom, lacking any means for its possible realisation, and consequently it is only a fictitious liberty, an utter falsehood. -Bakunin

Feb 13, 2004, 01:06 am	#11 (permalink) (top)
JustinGilmore Molten Ash Location: US, California Posts: 44	We're deffinatly an anti social people. Phones, text messaging, instant messaging, email, and forums do devalue actual person to person contact. And the catch is that, person to person contact is something which the human race needs to survive. I don't consider a person who stays in all day, and talks to his "friends" from his computer a social person. ...weird