A real pandemic that no one talks about - Half the world to be nearsighted by 2050.

[Adrenaline_6]

The first part of the problem with this idea is that it's getting worse is it is genetic but with contributing factors.

Smart phones aren't gonna make it any worse than reading books.

Hot nerdy girls are probably the worst factor.

Yup...as much as they push evolution, I don't think it applies to humans as much. Money trumps evolution in human survival and that gene pool goes on to contaminate other gene pools, etc, etc. The strong genetic traits do not necessarily make it and the weak ones do not necessarily die out.

Sure, out in the Amazon this might apply, but in almost any functioning society this does not apply.

[joedirt199]

Not like you can read a book while driving. Everywhere you look people are burried in a phone. The world would be a better place if they spent more time reading books instead of tiktok.

[Todd.K]

I bet the old timers complained about kids reading books too much when they became cheap/common. “Reading will rot their minds”

[B52U]

I look forward to the WALL-E future where robots entertain us all day and feed us milkshakes while we float around on hover chairs and our skeletons shrink on the Walmart spaceship.

[mrbieler]

I can’t help but see the irony of Google glasses and the new Apple goggles after years and years of years of being told we’re sitting too close to the television.

[SteyrAUG]

I can’t help but see the irony of Google glasses and the new Apple goggles after years and years of years of being told we’re sitting too close to the television.

When those came out I knew I wouldn't need them. I also laugh at the idea of smart watches, like I'm gonna try and squint to read a postage stamp.

[titsonritz]

We are no longer scanning the horizon for marauding savages or watching the woods for shit going to eat us, etc., etc. It’s a use it or lose it thing

[ChattanoogaPhil]

When those came out I knew I wouldn't need them. I also laugh at the idea of smart watches, like I'm gonna try and squint to read a postage stamp.

I also dismissed the notion of a smart watch... until I got an Apple watch. Now I typically leave the iPhone at home as well as my wallet. The convenience and ease of use is great. Everything from Apple wallet (credit cards) to phone calls, Nav, text, calendar and reminder alerts, music in the car, plus health/activity tracking helps with discipline. The Apps are designed for ease of use/reading, and the font size can be adjusted where needed. Of course it's not for reading a novel or playing on Net forums but is adequate for news headlines and a couple sentences. My tired old eyes read it well enough. All docs that would normally be in my wallet are in the watch. I was asked for my ID at the pharmacy the other day. Apple watch photo of my DL sufficed. Hopefully the state of Tennessee soon gets up to speed with Apple wallet for IDs.

Lugging around a smartphone... no thanks. Just one more thing to set down and lose while the watch remains on my wrist. Same with a wallet.

[Det-Sog]

I also dismissed the notion of a smart watch... until I got an Apple watch. Now I typically leave the iPhone at home as well as my wallet.

Just don't call it a "watch" then. It's not. That's like calling your phone a pocket watch, or your desktop computer (which tells time also) a clock. We get it, guys like you are going be the first in line to get chip implants in your head. Then you can leave and leave the apple thing at home. In the meantime, you are using the Apple thing just like you would if you had a chip implant in you. Knock yourself out. DOn't forget to activate that wrist scanner at Whole Foods. Different strokes for different strokes.

I know I'm a dinosaur, but I still like to walk around sometimes without the phone. Unless I'm on call for work, lots of times when I go out I will leave said phone in the truck when I go inside a store or something. Keep going down this digital ID rabbit hole, and before you know it, we're going to be just like China. No thanks, I'll hold off as long as I can.

This has nothing to do with big brother on my end. We've crossed that threshold over a decade ago. They know everything. I'm not even worried about it anymore. I'm just an old-fashioned guy, I happen to like real watches. If I can't use cash or a credit card in a place, then they won't get my business.

I would still prefer to wear a real watch. Good thing I'm pushing 60. Your kids and grand kids can worry about all of this crap. Good little robots.

Now... I DO have a Garmin GPS that I can strap on my wrist, but it is NOT connected to any type of communication. No calls, e-mail or texts. It just tracks health and fitness activities when I'm out hiking or walking. It's a fully capable GPS navigation device that will also work on the airplane as back-up nav. I keep it my go-bag and it travels the world with me... IN THE BAG. But it's not a "watch".

For a "watch" I still prefer a good old fashioned mechanical. Just like your grandparents wore. [/rant] OK, I have to go out and yell at a cloud.

We need another watch thread now.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Just don't call it a "watch" then. It's not. That's like calling your phone a pocket watch, or your desktop computer (which tells time also) a clock. We get it, guys like you are going be the first in line to get chip implants in your head. Then you can leave and leave the apple thing at home. In the meantime, you are using the Apple thing just like you would if you had a chip implant in you. Knock yourself out. DOn't forget to activate that wrist scanner at Whole Foods. Different strokes for different strokes.

I know I'm a dinosaur, but I still like to walk around sometimes without the phone. Unless I'm on call for work, lots of times when I go out I will leave said phone in the truck when I go inside a store or something. Keep going down this digital ID rabbit hole, and before you know it, we're going to be just like China. No thanks, I'll hold off as long as I can.

This has nothing to do with big brother on my end. We've crossed that threshold over a decade ago. They know everything. I'm not even worried about it anymore. I'm just an old-fashioned guy, I happen to like real watches. If I can't use cash or a credit card in a place, then they won't get my business.

I would still prefer to wear a real watch. Good thing I'm pushing 60. Your kids and grand kids can worry about all of this crap. Good little robots.

Now... I DO have a Garmin GPS that I can strap on my wrist, but it is NOT connected to any type of communication. No calls, e-mail or texts. It just tracks health and fitness activities when I'm out hiking or walking. It's a fully capable GPS navigation device that will also work on the airplane as back-up nav. I keep it my go-bag and it travels the world with me... IN THE BAG. But it's not a "watch".

For a "watch" I still prefer a good old fashioned mechanical. Just like your grandparents wore. [/rant] OK, I have to go out and yell at a cloud.

We need another watch thread now.

Now THAT was one of the more entertaining posts I've read lately. Thanks for the afternoon chuckle