Are we an Instant Society?

[DoctorP]

Is this what we have become? And are we going to just get worse? I often sit and watch people...that is one thing I have always enjoyed. It is funny to see peoples reactions. Someone ordering coffee, and constantly watching their watch as if they are about to explode...yet they only wait 2 or 3 minutes!

Or how about if there is a forum malfunction...and your thread loads slow...or you send a picture in an email and it takes 30 seconds for the email to transmit because of a large file. Do you say something like "C'mon, hurry up!" I mean it was only 30seconds!

I think technology and advancements in machines, circuits, etc...has made us an impatient society. Add to that the large increase in "conveinence" stores, 24hr markets, ATM's, fast food, and I think at times that these things harm us more than they help us!

Instant messaging, email, cell phones, webcams, live satellite feeds, news tickers, there are all types of examples.

I'm not here saying that any of these things are bad, I like most all of these conveniences...what I am saying though is perhaps these things are making us an impatient people. We can't seem to just sit and enjoy life anymore.

Any thoughts?

[Tony Stacks]

Yes we are. It also makes everything impersonal like how many ppl do you know that write a letter to someone now its text and email.

[DoctorP]

Yes we are. It also makes everything impersonal like how many ppl do you know that write a letter to someone now its text and email.

I still do letters...gives me time to think more about what I want to say, and it's more personal. But I agree with you...I don't think that many people do anymore.

[P_chan]

You make a very good point. I know I tend to get upset if something is taking a long time that should only take a couple minutes. I never "explode" but I do get a little irritated. My wife is always correcting me on it so I've gotten better:D

[retributionnk]

I don't think that technology is making people impatient at all. Situations, moods, habits, and expectations make people impatient. When you see a person waiting impatiently for coffee, or losing his mind in the post workday 58 traffic, you fail to take in to account that person's mood at the time. You can put a person in that same situation 50 times, and you'll never get the same reaction. It all depends on circumstance. I just think that there are new things to make us impatient, not that we are becoming more impatient in general.

I was kinda all over the place there, hope that made sense.

[Go-Shay]

I'm not here saying that any of these things are bad, I like most all of these conveniences...what I am saying though is perhaps these things are making us an impatient people. We can't seem to just sit and enjoy life anymore.

Any thoughts?

Yes we are becoming very impatient, and I also think that is ruining peoples health (fast food, stress). On the other hand it is good for business churches, yoga, gyms, massages:thumbup:

[Dark_Ronin]

fast udon, fast sushi he he he

[DoctorP]

I don't think that technology is making people impatient at all. Situations, moods, habits, and expectations make people impatient. When you see a person waiting impatiently for coffee, or losing his mind in the post workday 58 traffic, you fail to take in to account that person's mood at the time. You can put a person in that same situation 50 times, and you'll never get the same reaction. It all depends on circumstance. I just think that there are new things to make us impatient, not that we are becoming more impatient in general.

I was kinda all over the place there, hope that made sense.

You make sense, but I guess what I am saying is if we didn't have all of these bells and whistles, don't you think the pace of life would be a bit slower and people would be a little less irritable?:D

[retributionnk]

Perhaps people would be less irritable, and the pace of life would definitely be slower. But I personally like the fast pace of modern life. And who's to say people wouldn't be nitpicky and irritable over smaller things if we didn't have the technology? It's all relative, I suppose.

[Sandchedrick]

It's funny you brought this up! I was just mentioning how I am an instant results oriented person the other day and I was analyzing why that is. Why do I feel like I expect instant reactions, instant satisfaction or response and all I could come up with is:
#1- personality flaw
and
#2 - I am conditioned to expect and need instant results from my career. Working in emergency medicine I have the great privilege of demanding "instant" satisfaction or I move onto another mode of operation requiring again, "instant" reactions which is what is needed and expected in my line of work. I have to admit I do tend to carry that into my everyday life and probably miss a lot of enjoyable moments and add much unneeded stress to my daily tasks.

Maybe my upcoming life on the island will help me slow down a bit and enjoy life for what it is. One day at a time, one precious moment after another.

[Tempestuous]

YES!
This is actually something my mother-in-law has said for several yrs.

Fast food, fast-faster internet, speedy checkout, etc, etc.
Service as fast as possible....we want everything as soon as possible no wait. Express shipment, faster download times.....across the board- we want it faster!

[Bones]

Yep.

People want everything, right now.

I don't have a lot of the fancy toys that most of you have out there. And I don't need them.

1. No cell phone.

2. Never had an MP-3 player.

3. GPS- nope.

4. Hybrid car- World will probably end in 4 years anyway...

5. Our old tv works, but have been looking at some nice "Plasma Screens"...

It's a good post however.

I hope that we never reach the point, where an appliance can take away personal contact with family.

NBTP

[okisteve]

Yep.

People want everything, right now.

I don't have a lot of the fancy toys that most of you have out there. And I don't need them.

1. No cell phone.

2. Never had an MP-3 player.

3. GPS- nope.

4. Hybrid car- World will probably end in 4 years anyway...

5. Our old tv works, but have been looking at some nice "Plasma Screens"...

It's a good post however.

I hope that we never reach the point, where an appliance can take away personal contact with family.

NBTP
NBTP - I'm right there with you but I was really thinking I was the only guy in Asia without a cellphone.:thumbup1:

Unfortunately, I broke out on #5 TODAY! We blew our 30,000 yen discount at Kojimadenki on a 20" flatscreen for the bedroom. Some day I might learn how to use the remote.:)

[ja_Patriot]

Is this what we have become? And are we going to just get worse? I often sit and watch people...that is one thing I have always enjoyed. It is funny to see peoples reactions. Someone ordering coffee, and constantly watching their watch as if they are about to explode...yet they only wait 2 or 3 minutes!

Or how about if there is a forum malfunction...and your thread loads slow...or you send a picture in an email and it takes 30 seconds for the email to transmit because of a large file. Do you say something like "C'mon, hurry up!" I mean it was only 30seconds!

I think technology and advancements in machines, circuits, etc...has made us an impatient society. Add to that the large increase in "conveinence" stores, 24hr markets, ATM's, fast food, and I think at times that these things harm us more than they help us!

Instant messaging, email, cell phones, webcams, live satellite feeds, news tickers, there are all types of examples.

I'm not here saying that any of these things are bad, I like most all of these conveniences...what I am saying though is perhaps these things are making us an impatient people. We can't seem to just sit and enjoy life anymore.

Any thoughts?

In this island? Nankuru nai sa. Speaking for myself, I can sit and enjoy life the way I please. A nice cup of coffee, a generous shot of scotch, a good cigar. And work. With perhaps a slower pace.

But I'd be the first to appreciate the fact that nowadays we have access to various media and modes of communication which enables us to contact anyone for whatever reason anywhere round the clock 24/7/365.

We're way ahead compared with 10 yrs ago and will have far more capabilities 10 yrs from now. You just have to deal with and appreciate the advancements, IMHO.

[NaNaKo]

I want my coffee now! *can't wait more than 30 seconds* :p

However there are also technologies that can help us slow down. I don't answer the phone everytime it rings. Answering machine can pick it up and I can return the calls at my leisure.

I don't receive emails or text messages on my cell phone; can't reply with my stubby fingers anyway. I'm probably the only person in Japan that the cell phone is not equipped with a camera.

[okisteve]

I want my coffee now! *can't wait more than 30 seconds* :p

However there are also technologies that can help us slow down. I don't answer the phone everytime it rings. Answering machine can pick it up and I can return the calls at my leisure.

I don't receive emails or text messages on my cell phone; can't reply with my stubby fingers anyway. I'm probably the only person in Japan that the cell phone is not equipped with a camera.

I'll buy a cell phone when they make one with a built-in coffeemaker!