out of sheer frusteration with the technology/cyber 'boom' thats happened in the last couple of years and being right in the middle of it, i've decided to go a month without internet or some sort of computer. i know, it does sound pretty stupid, but here are my reasons.

my mates where over the other day, we were just sitting in our outdoor chairs out the back, eating and casually talking. i looked up from my chip packet, as usual something was wrong; they were so absorbed in texting and facebook on their phones. i realised ages ago that i couldnt stop them from just existing in front of a dull, dead-end screen, chatting to there 500+ facebook friends that they wouldnt dare say a word to in person, getting more idiotic as every minute passes. stating the obvious here, but theyre not the only ones who obsesivley use the internet.
enough is enough. if i get through to atleast 1 person that digital natives are litterally destroying life, i'll be happy.

hope this works anyway.

catchya's all in a month

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former user radio_friendly_unit_shifter

Riley, if you go easy on your peers at this transitional time of life it will strengthen your understanding of life generally, because you are smart and able to think in perspective to time, past and present, even possibly future, play along good naturedly, after all they are friends. You can show your viewpoint tactfully better on the field of play as a player than on the sidelines as only an observer. Unless you are writing a novel and need some time, that of course would be an exception.
Bob Dylan - Times They are a-Changin
http://youtu.be/vCWdCKPtnYE

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Last summer I was rear ended by a girl texting...I was driving a tractor trailer with 600 tanks of propane. She said she never seen me...I was at a stop sign.

I hear you. I'm thinking of ending my internet connection and cutting it off. I see it as just another technical advacement that has eroded the quality of our lives rather than added to it.

The vast majority of what i see online is just daft nonsense and i think there's undoubtedly a lot more productive ways to be spending time. On the other hand i'd miss the small, and i do mean small, number of sites that i think are entertaining and worthwhile.

Same with people texting and stuff like that, it's complete and utter bollocks, it really is. What is this modern day affliction that you need to be constantly in touch with people and in their face all the time? what is that all about? give people some breathing space and leave them alone for christ sake and develop some interests and hobbies.

Of course think of it from the mobile phone manufacturers point of view; they want to encourage people to engage in this BS more and more so they make more cash.

Imagine 30 years ago someone telling you you were gonna get billed regularly for staring at a tiny little screen and sending meaningless messages that really don't even need to be sent, you'd have insisted they see a shrink for help!

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Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.

And I remember being totally fascinated by the color tv my friend's family had.
look how red Opie's hair is!

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Cheers
Steve

I remember that too! Holy crap.. are we that old...LOL

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

Yep, Bill, we're that old! I remember our first TV - it was a round black & white monitor from the first TV station in town. My father worked there as an engineer and grabbed it when they were "upgrading" to 12" round, black & white monitors. I used to watch Howdy Doody every day after school with a toasted jelly sandwich - those were the days!

As for today, yes, I use my desktop computer for shopping, emailing and for the Fender Forum. I use my fancy cell phone for talking - no texting, no emails, no picture sending, just as a phone. That's enough.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

For a list of the ways technology has failed to improve modern living please press 1

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Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.

Good for you. Theres a whole world out their that has nothing to do with tech stuff. Enjoy it see you next month.

I'm with you Riley. "Do Your Thing", get away from this One Eyed Monster for a while.
I never thought it could happen to me, But it did. I'm hooked, and damn near live in front of this thing. Enjoy your leave, and take care of your self.
----Danny,

Good on you Riley, more people time might be hard to come by, but certainly worth the effort.
See ya,
John.E