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IDemo

(16,926 posts)
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 08:27 AM Jul 2012

Silicon Valley Says Step Away From the Device

Stuart Crabb, a director in the executive offices of Facebook, naturally likes to extol the extraordinary benefits of computers and smartphones. But like a growing number of technology leaders, he offers a warning: log off once in a while, and put them down.

In a place where technology is seen as an all-powerful answer, it is increasingly being seen as too powerful, even addictive.

The concern, voiced in conferences and in recent interviews with many top executives of technology companies, is that the lure of constant stimulation — the pervasive demand of pings, rings and updates — is creating a profound physical craving that can hurt productivity and personal interactions.

“If you put a frog in cold water and slowly turn up the heat, it’ll boil to death — it’s a nice analogy,” said Mr. Crabb, who oversees learning and development at Facebook. People “need to notice the effect that time online has on your performance and relationships.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/24/technology/silicon-valley-worries-about-addiction-to-devices.html?_r=1&ref=technology

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Silicon Valley Says Step Away From the Device (Original Post) IDemo Jul 2012 OP
I think Mr Crabb should have used another analogy. GreatCaesarsGhost Jul 2012 #1
Interesting article in Newsweek a couple of weeks ago about this MadHound Jul 2012 #2
Thanks for this. Mailed it to all my addicted friends... arendt Jul 2012 #3

arendt

(5,078 posts)
3. Thanks for this. Mailed it to all my addicted friends...
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 08:53 AM
Jul 2012

wait a minute. I emailed them about their addiction to email?

Well, anyway. It is a big problem, and I am glad to see it is getting attention. Your post is important and positive; a rarity on a board infested with the trivial and the toxic. These posts keep me coming back (?keep me addicted?)

Whatever. Thanks again.

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