People are always unhappy with the "younger generation" but somehow we survive.

In years past, parents were unhappy about children watching TV too much, or listening to radio too much, or reading "dime novels."

Humans are, by their nature, social animals, but you disapprove of the WAY some people choose to be social. In fact, the affinity young people have for their mobile devices suggests that they feel an urgency to be social and constantly connected to others, in their reference groups, at least.

With respect, your question is not very academic (which is what we expect in RG) but rather it appears that you have pre-judged the situation before collecting any data on the cultural and sociological influences. You appear to have the making of an interesting study, as long as your research questions address the WHY, not just the WHAT.

Dear Prof. MareK,

Thanks for your comment and your thoughts. Yes, thankfully, my question is not an academic one! Being an ex-academic myself (though in natural science) I did not intend this to be an academic question; because I know that “academic research” and "investigations" (specially in the social sciences) have their own axe to grind, prejudice, bias, internal rigid structures and format, culminating in and intended for intellectual publications etc., that often confuse, colour and mystify the issues beyond common recognition.

So yes, it is a question based on my personal experience (warts and all) that I wanted to share with others and also to know about their own experience and views. As an individual I see me and my family as an atom in modern globally connected reality and society. I also see the members of the young generation in public places, in universities, during visits to different cities and various places of the world. So I know that my observations are not without substance. I borrowed the term “toys for adults” (I should have mentioned it before) from my 96 years old neighbour, who is still a keen observer of her surrounding and shows excellent sensitivity and sense of judgements. I would reluctantly (because it is odd to say it publicly) describe another personal experience I had in the late-80s or so, while sitting in one university (general) toilet. Cell phones were newly marketed at time and a person in the next cubicle was relieving himself when his phone rang and he was talking over the phone in obvious discomfort. I felt so bad for that poor fellow that he did not have the freedom even to relieve himself in peace and comfort! This experience comes to my mind when I see some one rushes to reach his/her pocket or bag to receive a phone call, while in a public place, bus , train etc. My question is, do we have to lose our freedom and be constantly ready to satisfy the demand of the world, can the world not wait for me?

It is true that every old generation is critical of the new one, because things are not done the way they were used to and had been comfortable with. But there is also a universal element in human society and life, no matter where and when this life is lived. We value the old thinkers and philosophers who lived thousands of years ago and did not know much of what came to be, later on! I used the terms zombies, robots etc., because this is what I see not only in my son, but any young persons inside the universities and public places. At my time at least, the young people were full of life and when in groups used to be involved in noisy and passionate discussion, arguments etc. The “affinity young people have for their mobile devices suggests that they feel an urgency to be social and constantly connected to others” as you say is only virtual, artificial and often impersonal and devoid of any feeling or emotion etc., - attributes that come with direct human relation. So, these “texting”, face-book link-ups , cell phone talks, TV watching etc. only give “infomercials” but no sense of responsibility, creativity, wisdom etc., or spur to action that comes with normal social life. How long can you “text” or talk on the phone without turning to nonsense or silliness?

My main point in asking this question is that “capital” has become an alienation for modern life (like never before) in the sense that monopoly capital, which is a creation of man (for his own need) has at this stage of its development gone out of his control (as if coming from outside – an alien) and like a Frankenstein Monster has come back to control its creator. Man has become secondary to money and money now dictates most of modern life – its culture, values, science, social relations etc. Even a prominent Prime Minister of Canada used to say, “What is good for business is good for the country"! Our young generation has become the primary victim and not the liberated!

Dear Sania,

Thanks for your response and your opinion. My question is about “general use” as it is in practice, and not merely “sensible use”! I myself use RG a lot (may be less than a sensible way!) as part of my academic exercise. In my opinion (as a “Gypsy-scientist” having lived and worked, in various countries of the world), media technologies have become synonymous with the atomization of the society into individuals and with blind consumerism and waste - a malaise that has infected most of the societies. Of course I may be biased because of my "world view"!

It would be of more general interest to know your opinion and your experience about the over-all impact of these technologies.

It depends upon the way we use it. If we are able to use it properly its a cure and if we misuse it its a curse. Most of the young people are getting addicted to modern communication technology or internet which leads to lack of interest in studies. Very few are using it properly for learning new things and enhancing skills.

This curse affects physical and mental health. Curing this curse needs a lot of counseling and motivation. Kindly all of you share your methods to solve this problem.

Dear Vidyasri,

Thanks for your significant comment. This is indeed and unwarranted curse brought on modern humanity by the unquenchable thirst and hunger of monopoly finance capitalism. All these technologies are primarily meant to feed greed and the never-ending growth of capital and wealth. If any good has come out of these, are unintended or only incidental – this is the reality. Capitalism, a creation of man, has now become an alienation and like a Frankenstein Monster that has gone out of the control of its creator is coming back to haunt him!

This curse affects physical and mental health as you say; and is affecting most families I know, especially those with teenage children. This devastating problem must be tackled by every conscientious individuals of the society. As the saying goes, prevention is better cure. Prevention can happen only with the total undoing of monopoly capitalism and the craze for consumerism. But this needs conscious and subjective (long term) social activism and a change of the social structure.

There is no time to wait and one must act even if as individuals to counter this curse for near and dear ones; specially an affected child; whose future depends on curing this curse. But this task can be almost impossible and extremely difficult. Since you wished so, I will share my personal experience of such a problem that I came through with my son. Who, even at three years of his age was a wonder-kid, playing masterly chess soon after I taught him how to play, showed all-round brilliance, full of exuberance etc.; but fell victim to this curse even as a pre-teenager. Of course his situation was aggravated by the tragic loss of his mother when he was just five years old. It was an absolute, all-encompassing and almost a single-handed battle for me; as in course of time, from his best friend, I turned into his worst enemy. It was a nightmare for me for many years and only through my dedicated efforts (at the exclusion of all most everything else of my life) I could bring him back from the brink. I won’t wish this curse even for my worst enemies.

But thankfully, my efforts were eventually somewhat rewarded. My son completed his education, (which he wanted to quit, even when he was in high school); now has a nice job that he likes and started playing professional chess again (which he quit about ten years ago!). The tragedy is that it did not have to be this way if this curse was not there; he lost lots of his precious and prime time. The only advice (from my experience) I can give to someone with similar problem is that one has to be totally engaged with the problem and never loose hope. Each problem is specific and has to be dealt with in specific ways. The inherent brilliance of my son helped us both to a great extent.

Thank you Prof. Abdul Malek for your response. To solve this kind of problem we have to put great effort which you did and achieved its reward. I wish all the parents and society also have to do the same to cure the kids from it and build a great nation.