[dinopello]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'I')t appears (no. not on my google glass) that a google glass is little more than a tiny heads-up display(a HUD) into the internet plus a cell-phone camera? What's the big deal? Other than the pretension?

[AgentR11]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '&')quot;Shut up and eat your white flour and sugar." The Masters want you compliant, domesticated, citified, and behind suburban fences. Better for the consumer, more purchasing opportunities.

[Pops]

LOL, I don't eat many carbs and those I do, I also save for the important stuff.

(P.S. Just read the headline today that sugar shortens the telomeres that protect DNA like the aglets on a shoestring)

[dinopello]

I received some encouragment recently. Yesterday, I returned from a 4 day hiking trip in the Monogohela Forest. It's a type of trip we've been doing for about 20 years. Not completely primative (we pack in food and water filtration equipment) but at Doly Sods , this time of year it will rain, snow and sleet on you with freezing temps (and some welcome sunny afternnons). We do about 8 miles a day in hiking (less than we used to).

Anyway, this was a first as one of the guys brought his 12 year old son. He may be an anomaly but he didn't complain one bit and was happy as a clam the whole trip. In fact, he was Mr. Sunshine, wanting to to do whatever we doing with 100 times more energy (gather wood, pump water etc). It was a little annoying in the morning when us 50 year olds were groaning as we strapped on our packs but it was encouraging to see a younger gen kid able to function without gadgets. Although he did jabber at us about video games and factoids on Platypus's and Octopi.

One bit of tech we bring is an ipod mini with a battery powered speaker. Those things are getting quite good for such a small device. We brought a battery to charge the other battery too which is kind of funny. A solar charger would be cool but might not be easily deployable when you are hiking all day.

[Newfie]

Pstarr, I absolutly agree that it is all about what you do, not sure we come to the same conclusions. Without action this is all mental masturbation.

For myself I have been trying to figure out what my actions should be. I've not been able to quit work, but I've been reducing my work week and taking more time to be outdoors and in nature. I've also been preping and I can make those things support one another sometimes.

But as for the blue pillars? There is nothing I can do for them, nor for most of humanity. It will pass, painful though that may be. Changing my attitude in this manner has been an active decision, and it took a long time, and it allowed me to change course in life. I must leave them to their own means.

[onlooker]

Very interesting thread I had not seen it. Well good comprehensive analysis by Tanada of different facets of the Cornie/Doomer dichotomy with emphasis on Luddites vs. Technologists. I am of the mind that technology can be a good thing with one caveat. As a species we need to be able to control our emotions and come together as one for the improvement of the entire species. Once we can do that which has proven throughout time to not be an easy objective, then and only then should we delve wholeheartedly into technology otherwise this technology can be a double edged sword used to oppress others, gain advantage over others or even destroy our environment and means of sustenance. All of these scenarios by the way already having been played out during our history. In fact one main premise of doomers is that we are already well on our way to destroying the means to survive on planet Earth and so that we are seeing the evidence of what I stated, that a species should only embark full scale on advancing technologically once they have mastered living together and with Nature relatively harmoniously.

[KaiserJeep]

The reality is, the technology is here already, and the nature of mankind has not changed in any discernable fashion since the last Ice Age.

Nor will mankind change, the coming of governments, the establishment of welfare, and the result of medicine keeping the sick and marginally viable humans alive has stopped Darwinian change in it's tracks. We might actually be degrading into more primitive beings, not evolving into more enlightened ones.

I feel strongly that the next step in evolution is the joint evolution of humans and digital technology. Step 1 is the widespread adaption of cellphones and mobile devices.

Resistance is Futile. You will be Assimilated.

[onlooker]

"Resistance is Futile. You will be Assimilated." Ah yes the Borg. Interesting Kaiser because one facet of this technological enhancements maybe be genetic manipulation to make us more docile and thus lesson our impulse to fight and/or to conquer as in a power trip that our species has so evinced in its history. We have even treated Nature as something to be conquered. So I foresee genetic tampering to improve our species. What do you think Kaiser?

[KaiserJeep]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('onlooker', '&')quot;Resistance is Futile. You will be Assimilated." Ah yes the Borg. Interesting Kaiser because one facet of this technological enhancements maybe be genetic manipulation to make us more docile and thus lesson our impulse to fight and/or to conquer as in a power trip that our species has so evinced in its history. We have even treated Nature as something to be conquered. So I foresee genetic tampering to improve our species. What do you think Kaiser?

[onlooker]

Well Kaiser looks like some are questioning if Moore's law will continue to be applicable. http://www.extremetech.com/computing/16 ... n-a-decade
http://techland.time.com/2012/05/01/the ... happening/

[KaiserJeep]

Moore's law was first questioned when first published. I was reading about DNA sequencing a few days back. It took a great number of very fast computers to sequence DNA in 1990-2005 span of the human genome project, today a single computer can do hundreds of DNA sequencings per day.

[Outcast_Searcher]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '
')
The Amish use technology; cell phones, cars, but they do not own (nor are they owned) by those tools.) It is called Appropriate Technology.

...

The Amish have decided to maintain a rural lifestyle, to stay connected to the land, the earth, natural cycles, and their own community by minimizing dependency on the industrial/consumer society. Their tool choices reflect that commitment.

[JV153]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('onlooker', ' ') Luddites vs. Technologists.