Whats wrong with the American family , culture , Cannot be denied ?

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   ahorsebackposted 8 years ago

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As you all , like me , sit around the Thanksgiving , Christmas table this season and wonder why you've  experienced such a twisted , hyper insane , election ,  college term , family gathering , broken relationship , love affair ,  domestic spat ,  argumentative totally  disconnected  existence  ? 
   Look at the photos above and tell me what's wrong !
   
   I would love someone here to prove me wrong !

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      Castlepalomaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I thought who would approve of cell smart phones.
      
      Every time we have a cell on us, the Government can watch everything we are doing. How else will the Government ever listen to what the public has to say or doing.?

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      Live to Learnposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Not one person at our table had a phone in use. Even my granddaughter with her new boyfriend.

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         ahorsebackposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Awesome. That's the way it should be , My 39  year old daughter visited for ten before thanksgiving for days and lived on the cell phone ,  caused a bit of a problem , was told , Dad ! Everyone does this , better get used to it !

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         colorfuloneposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         That's nice, and just how it should be at family gatherings.  There are many studies that show smart phones may cause brain cancer, mental illness, shorten memory and even brain damage.  Limiting time spend on those devices is certainly advised, but they are addicting to so many users.   Texting while driving is insane, or while having a dinner conversation across the table.    Its so progressive. 
         
         I have only had a land-line for maybe seven years already.  I only used a cell phone for business away from home or so might kids could contact me if I was out.

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      Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      This is one unique time that I can't prove you wrong. We all talk past each other rather than to each other. The cell phone culture has hindered authentic communications, rather than facilitate them. But it is the 21st Century, who can go back to that simpler time of slimline, touch tone telephones? A time where communication outside the immediate family were controlled by parents, who did not let you use or remain on the phone, willy/nilly. I always tell conservatives in a wholesome spirit that we can never go back, but have to move forward and adjust as we go to a changing reality in the socio-cultural realm.
      
      Time changes Space....

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         Live to Learnposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Go back to slim line touch tone? Heck, I can remember being a kid way out in the country with a party line. The operator knew all of us before we spoke our names.

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            Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Yeah, I remember getting bopped on the head with one of those heavy stand alone black land line phone receivers whenever I was on it without permission. It had the ancient dial feature. Think about this, today, parents give their Tweens these phones which allow interaction with a world that they are not prepared for. It is so much easier for kids to get into trouble......

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         wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         LOL  It's the "progressive" way, isn't it?  "Progress" to individual phones so parents can't see what's being said.  So kids can be harassed until they suicide (just happened in Texas).  So we're tied to the job 24-7.  So we can pay 5X what we used to.  So Uncle Sam can track our every movement and know where we are at any given time. 
         
         But it doesn't always work that way - my daughter found texts on her daughters phone (she looks it over periodically, as every good parent should and heck with privacy) and the grand daughter has now lost her phone for 6 months.  A lifetime for a 15 year old.

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            Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

            We can progress and adjust. Why give a kid a phone with internet access or texting capability? Parents can start by giving the kid a phone with a feature that show calls received or made and avoid all of the rest.
            
            Hats off to your daughter for exercising  proper parental supervision.  When you are old enough to be responsible for yourself and your actions, only then is your right to privacy absolute.

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               wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               "Why give a kid a phone with internet access or texting capability?"
               
               Because it's progressive.  No reason needed as long as it is "progressing" to something different.
               
               "When you are old enough to be responsible for yourself and your actions, only then is your right to privacy absolute."
               
               Not bloody likely, not in this world and with this government.  Not to speak of the Great God Google!
               
               (My wife goes to great lengths to hide her Christmas shopping from me.  And Google promptly begins to supply me with ads to what she has been looking at.  Funny!)

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                  Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  I am progressive, politically, economically and culturally. But, being progressive does not translate into permissive parenting. 'Something different' is always inevitable with the passing of time, particularly in this day and age. Conservatives accuse liberals of an 'anything goes' attitude and I accuse conservatives of pining for the days of nickel cokes, beach party movies and Fred Flintstone taking Wilma to the drive in. I hope that both are extremes.
                  
                  But, keeping your woman from buying too much stuff because it is on sale is a universal issue regardless of which side of the ideological ledger you come down on.......

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                     wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     You misunderstand.  She hides her purchases because they are my Xmas gift.  A surprise that she wants to KEEP a surprise, but google won't let her.  The first time it happened it was really funny that I figured out what she bought me, and how I did it.  But it's gotten old, and is more reminder now of just how much we're being watched.
                     
                     Any other Xmas shopping we do together.  There is no "keeping my woman from buying too much stuff".  You don't stay married for 40+ years by playing strongman.  Nor do you keep respect for your spouse, whichever side of that control you're on.

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                        Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                        I see. It is just a pleasant routine, a natural ploy during the holidays.
                        
                        There are differences, strengths and weaknesses that me and my spouse have, but those differences compliment each other and make us more effective and successful in the world as a team than either of us would have been alone. Where my spouse is impetuous and spontaneous, I am more reserved and guarded. There are varying  times when one set of values are more appropriate in a situation than the other. There is no 'me Tarzan you Jane' in our relationship.

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                           wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                           And that is the only a marriage can actually work.  Like you, we recognize our strengths and weaknesses and depend on the spouse's strengths to cover for each of us.

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                     GA Andersonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     "...keeping your woman from..."
                     
                     Oh my! Glad I am not on your side of the screen.
                     
                     GA

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                        Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                        Is it something I said? Yes, she is my woman through mutual betrothal and I am her man.

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                           wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                           The terminology is offensive and not PC, for you do not own your wife and she is not your slave.
                           
                           But I kind of agree with you - my wife is MY woman.  By her own choice, revocable at any moment.  PC be hanged - those looking to be offended will always find offense (not meaning GA by any means).

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                              colorfuloneposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                              Women need strong men to lead them, not meew-men. 
                              Did I just stick my neck out?   Yes, I did.
                              I'm going to go now...

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                                 Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                                 Yes, but  'strength' has many different facets and aspects.

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                              Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                              'But I kind of agree with you - my wife is MY woman.  By her own choice, revocable at any moment.  PC be hanged - those looking to be offended will always find offense (not meaning GA by any means).'
                              
                              Correct, Wilderness, this is how I see it as well, and it works both ways....

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                              GA Andersonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                              Worms? I thought it was a can of smartass.
                              
                              ps. No worries about offending, I wouldn't mind getting offended once in a while. At least that would be a break from the monotony of being right all the time.
                              
                              GA

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                           GA Andersonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                           Here, try this shovel, it has a longer handle.
                           
                           ps. your marriage vows were pledges, not ownership papers.
                           
                           GA

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                              Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                              What's sticking in your craw? Are you befuddling just to befuddle?

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                                 GA Andersonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                                 No befuddling intended. Just muddling around looking for an open seat. It's kinda hard in most threads, I don't want to cuddle up to just anybody. (my woman would quickly scuttle that).
                                 
                                 It was just the luck of the draw that I chose the one next to you. I bet you remember as well as I do those, mostly, by-gone days when too many men took that `my woman' thought too literally. So, considering the progress we have made in that respect, (you know, the `we are all equal' stuff), it just popped out that your use of "your" didn't sound so progressive. I mean, coming from such a self-described Progressive as yourself.
                                 
                                 GA

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                                    Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                                    Of course, being progressive, I am going to have a more evolved view of these matters.
                                    
                                    Progressives know that one can be different and yet still be equal. That is why we are the wave of the future?  Look at the 24th century. Perhaps, Maybe now is the time to offer the shovel?

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         ahorsebackposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Those  photos I posted ARE the direction of the new American family !   Its happening everywhere , restaurants, living rooms , schools , dorms , we have reached a collective point of the liquidation and dissolving  of valuable family or friending   time together . Of face to face communicating , I kid you not  . I spent ten days with  40 year old kids  and watched across the table as they  talked , even to each other , without lifting their face from the phones ,  not even trying to actually converse .
         And these people wonder why they are not hearing from me .
         
         Rude Is the new ,In !

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            Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

            I am not in the least bit surprised about your example as to how cell phones are used.

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