banjola1 - Posted - 12/29/2019:  07:05:01

I just read some statistics on smart phone use:

"The average time for people on their phones in the US is 4 hours a day (including tablets). The average smartphone user checks their device 47 times a day / 17,155 a year."

Source: bankmycell.com/blog/smartphone...#chapter1



I don't know if this has already been a topic, but the statistic made me wonder how much more real musical learning could be accomplished if banjo practice time was just half what the average person spent swiping a smart phone.

This would be 2 hours a day and would greatly accelerate the learning curve, not to mention the neurological brain benefits that would accrue.

Full disclosure: I'm not a Luddite or against technology. I've been coding since 1997.

"Free Range Banjo"

Blackjaxe47 - Posted - 12/29/2019:  09:59:25

I see that everywhere I go, 6 people sitting at a table in a coffee shop and each one is looking at their cell phone or tablet....no interaction at all between them............ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC. My cell phone is just a phone, period, I use when either i need to contact someone or someone is trying to get hold of me....end of story.

Where I live in Canada if your caught using a cell phone or tablet in your vehicle while driving the fine is $204 plus 5 Demerits off your license......I might just qualify as being a border-line Luddite.

roydsjr - Posted - 12/29/2019:  10:15:00

I'm like you Ken, I basically use my phone the same way. I have gone a week and not used my phone during that time. I did down load a app to check the price of items at Walmart during Christmas since items were out of place in the toy section. I thought would be useful. I could live without the phone if I needed to. I'm not that addicted to it.

Edited by - roydsjr on 12/29/2019 10:16:05

mike gregory - Posted - 12/29/2019:  10:28:17

Phone calls, when I'm not home with my land line so handy.

the WAZE app, since none of the gas station clerks seem to be locals who know WHERE stuff is.



And the ability to send photos FROM a thrift shop TO the person for whom I might purchase an item is REALLY handier than buying it, bringing it, and being told

"GOOD HEAVENS, you RECTUM! Why would I want THAT???"



TECH note:

The phone/camera combo may be new technology, but it's a OLD idea!

The book

"Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone" was published in 1914.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 12/29/2019:  10:48:20

I have a cell phone, but it's usually not turned on. I use it if I'm traveling or shopping around town or if I might need to contact someone while I'm out.

My kids, on the other hand, have a cell phone in their hand all day, everyday. It's so irritating when they come over to visit and sit there and play with their phones instead.

I see no need of having a phone at your fingertips at all times. Guess my age is showing?

banjola1 - Posted - 12/29/2019:  10:54:54

quote:

---

Originally posted by Texasbanjo

I have a cell phone, but it's usually not turned on. I use it if I'm traveling or shopping around town or if I might need to contact someone while I'm out.



My kids, on the other hand, have a cell phone in their hand all day, everyday. It's so irritating when they come over to visit and sit there and play with their phones instead.



I see no need of having a phone at your fingertips at all times. Guess my age is showing?

---

I have a flip phone. You reminded me to turn it on.

I also have a gasoline powered truck and an electric TV!!

 

Aitor Eneko - Posted - 12/29/2019:  11:23:22

I work repairing mobile phones since 2010. It is amazing the worrying number of children from 10 to 17, that are addicted to the phone. It is parents fault for sure.



That boys do not speak each other personally, they are worried about the "likes". They spend hours making auto photos (selfies) and they laugh of everything an adult says.



People with 25 the same, they are not interested in nothing except facebook, instagram, etc.



When they listen to my music ( music from the 80, folk, bluegrass, oyster band, Pogues, Dublinners, flogging molly, they laugh... incredible, they prefer and ONLY listen reggaeton (with they 4 chords....), and their lyrics against women. They have no idea about well made music. 



The phone, the internet is a very big problem now days, but also the moral principles have change too much.

Edited by - Aitor Eneko on 12/29/2019 11:25:31

northernbelle - Posted - 12/29/2019:  12:15:28

The saddest thing I see (truly, truly pathetic!) is young people out on either their lst date or an early date and they don't even talk to each other!!! They're both doing their own thing on their own phones. To quote the neighbor guy in "It's a Wonderful Life" film, "Ah...youth is wasted on all the wrong people"!!!

How can anyone hope to build a life together if they don't even look each other longingly in the eye or talk about hopes, dreams, etc. etc.
Argh!

Texasbanjo - Posted - 12/29/2019:  12:16:15

It's not only the young and the 20 somethings..... my "kids" are in their 50s and still have a phone stuck to their ear or in their hands almost all the time.

banjola1 - Posted - 12/29/2019:  12:50:11

It's hard to deny the smartphone's near-magical capabilities. It's not social, it's an Artificial Intelligence machine.

What other device can destroy your attention span, inhibit spatial awareness and erode face-to-face skills (and thus empathy)?



What other device breeds narcissism, sucks the life from public spaces, make having only one free hand the new normal?



What other device conditions you with little hits of dopamine with every Pavlovian ping, displaces in-person friendships with "friendships" filtered through social media platforms?



What other device turns once-straightforward conversations into multimedia presentations, provide up-to-the-minute data on your activities to the NSA, prime your mind for skimming surfaces instead of thinking deeply, depress your body's production of melatonin?



What other device makes you potentially the most dangerous driver on the road, puts you at risk of nearsightedness, and holds your hand all day like a digital nanny while emitting not-yet-proven-safe levels of RF radiation--all in one convenient package??

On the positive side, if it is used in moderation as a proper tool, it is a wonder to behold!

Remember, if it's free on Google, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, you are the product!

chuckv97 - Posted - 12/29/2019:  13:08:47

If I had a cell phone 50 years ago with all the banjo instruction, I coulda been a “contendah” ;-)

banjola1 - Posted - 12/29/2019:  13:09:55

quote:

---

Originally posted by chuckv97

If I had a cell phone 50 years ago with all the banjo instruction, I coulda been a “contendah” ;-)

---

STELLA!

Cornflake - Posted - 12/29/2019:  16:56:43

I spend little time on the cell phone but here I am looking at the big screen of my iMac playing the banjo while reading all these posts, checking Facebook, catching up on the news. I let my fingers decide what to play while I watch the screen. This can go on for hours. I'm retired.

Blackjaxe47 - Posted - 12/29/2019:  17:03:08

Much like Sherry my children are in their mid 40's to my son who just turned 50. I actually blew-up one time when they dropped in for coffee and my son-in-law ( really a great guy ) just sat there and every 5 minutes was texting someone......I said what's the point of visiting us if all you do is sit distracted and playing on your phone.....please put it away and have a conversation with us....or have you forgotten how to do that. Did not go over well with my daughter, but next time they came over there where no cell phones.....they got the message. Maybe I should have texted him my rant.....lol.

But lets also be fair, our computers are also a source of distraction. Like right now !!!......I could be working on a new lick I heard the other day instead of railing about cell-phones in this thread.

Paul R - Posted - 12/30/2019:  03:05:49

Well, we still have functioning dial phones in our house, and I don't have a cell phone. Somehow, life still seems to be going fine.

overhere - Posted - 12/30/2019:  04:39:00

I have to laugh. When I go to my eye doctors the waiting room usually has 10 to 15 people sitting around. They’re all bent over there phones or tablets punching away. And it doesn’t matter the age….9 to 90 they're all are tapping away on that key board. I sit and watch with a smile on my face.
And as far as kids today go….is the reason you don’t see kids anymore outside in yards playing, they’re all inside either on the computer or listening to their music on them contraptions. My neighbor has 4 kids in ages 9 to 16 and this is hard to believe but it was over a year before I knew how many kids they had…..I never saw more than the regular 2 younger ones. I asked the lady one day after I finally met them…”how’s the kids”? She said “they’re all in the house with Play Station… shaking her head in disgust”. Really nice people that came here from Dubai about 5 years ago.
Our neighborhood has many kids…you just wouldn’t know it. The lawns are pristine, no worn spots, no bicycles laying around. Basketball nets never used…no tree forts no fields used for baseball.etc Not even a hop scotch chalk mark on a side walk….eeesshhh

Dai Evans - Posted - 12/30/2019:  05:56:38

I think that the ability to be contactable on social media has meant that people are slaves to it.
I used to need to be contactable 24 hours a day for work and so when alerted checked the phone. Now that I am retired, I check it at my convenience, not when I am interacting with other people. Many people do not seem to get the fact that I have the phone for my convenience, not theirs.
Mobile phone use has in many cases destroyed customs of social interaction which is very sad, but got to go, I have been summoned by the phone ??

Richard Hauser - Posted - 12/30/2019:  06:41:11

I saw a documentary to provided information on cell phone usage. I could not believe the frequency in which some people view their phones. But I should not be surprised. Whenever I am in a waiting room 10 out of 12 people will have their head stuck in a phone.

The documentary also said watching some colors is addictive. I am sure most application developers and cell phone manufacturers are taking advantage of that.

My wife bought me a cell phone and I never use it. I don't even know where it is. Just me, my instruments, and my desktop. Made a New Year promise to giving ALL of my instruments (banjo/fiddle/guitar) more playing time.

mike gregory - Posted - 12/30/2019:  06:51:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjola1

quote:

---

Originally posted by chuckv97

If I had a cell phone 50 years ago with all the banjo instruction, I coulda been a “contendah” ;-)

---

STELLA!

---

I had a STELLA guitar more than half a century before I had a cell phone.

Hey, Marlon! What brand of guitar did I just mention?

That is correct. Thank you.

banjola1 - Posted - 12/30/2019:  06:59:47

Brando Breakdown!

Tony S - Posted - 12/30/2019:  07:07:20

Aitor Eneko

Gran Canaria, Spain

"When they listen to my music ( music from the 80, folk, bluegrass, oyster band, Pogues, Dublinners, flogging molly, they laugh... incredible, they prefer and ONLY listen reggaeton (with they 4 chords....), and their lyrics against women. They have no idea about well made music."

There are more that 4 chords?!

Edited by - Tony S on 12/30/2019 07:08:07

TheWoodBoss - Posted - 01/07/2020:  12:22:14

For me the phone is a time waster. I keep my cell phone with the ringer off and the vibrate off. My phone only gets my attention when I feel like dealing with it. All the social media communication going on is not quality communication, or at least it's a very small percentage of valuable communication. I do have FB and Internet but prefer to do my job in peace where I can focus and stay into the task at hand. Just my opinion.

Judith511 - Posted - 01/09/2020:  07:35:12

I guess it is a useful thing but can also be very distracting. It was great when I was able to get calls anywhere from the seniors residence and nursing home my Mother lived in. I was always in contact. I have had a cell phone since 94 and used it at work lots I worked in public transit at night. Good thing to have when the bus broke down and radio didn't work. I have horses and it is great to be able to call the vet and send her photos of issues the horse has, cuts etc. to get her opinion. So much faster and easier than calling. That said, it is a great time waster I social situations when it becomes the social situation. Is it a substitute for social interaction? Yes I think so. :)

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 01/09/2020:  09:03:51

Well, I have to agree with most of this though I fear I am showing my age by doing so. But I often feel like I'm living in a world of zombies. Downtown Seattle people are walking into me, tripping on curbs, forgetting to get out of elevators on the right floors, forgetting to get off the bus at their stop. All because they are so distracted, tethered to their phones. I think it's hard to experience the world when life is just one big selfie.

I might be old but I'm right! 

banjola1 - Posted - 01/09/2020:  09:31:57

Our Leader!

 

JHarschPBC - Posted - 01/09/2020:  12:28:46

You guys are really showing your age...

AldenS - Posted - 01/09/2020:  12:44:13

I remember having a good laugh over this a while back. It seems apropos. The 1886 and 1907 quotes in particular seem to be perennial.

Source: XKCD #1227

Edited by - AldenS on 01/09/2020 12:47:38

JHarschPBC - Posted - 01/09/2020:  14:33:56

So old guys have been complaining about the youth for a while?

Edit: if you guys ever wonder why the young aren't readily picking up banjos left and right, it's because the older players are less welcoming and more "get off my lawn you damn kids". 

Edited by - JHarschPBC on 01/09/2020 14:35:54

banjola1 - Posted - 01/09/2020:  15:04:21

I give free lessons to the kids at the local school. Ages between 12 - 20.

I take people case by case and I don't consider myself the "guys" you talk about.

I won't stereotype you if you won't stereotype me.

howbah - Posted - 01/09/2020:  20:06:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by AldenS

I remember having a good laugh over this a while back. It seems apropos. The 1886 and 1907 quotes in particular seem to be perennial.

 

Source: XKCD #1227

Okay, now go find some quotes complaining about people writing letters while they're on a date, or while they're walking down the street . . .

Edited by - howbah on 01/09/2020 20:09:25

mike gregory - Posted - 01/09/2020:  20:31:31

As of this date, the oldest known example of a written message, found in a tomb in the Middle East, , has been translated as

"Kids today are no Baal-damned good!"

banjola1 - Posted - 01/09/2020:  22:12:20

I heard Oxygen hooked up with Magnesium and I was like,

"OMg"

Edited by - banjola1 on 01/09/2020 22:24:51

 

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 01/10/2020:  06:16:29

Let's not turn this into a "kids these days" thing. I just think addictions are a problem, no matter what your age (or substance)

banjola1 - Posted - 01/10/2020:  10:51:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by Laurence Diehl

Let's not turn this into a "kids these days" thing. I just think addictions are a problem, no matter what your age (or substance)

---

I agree! Addictions are a problem.

Where can I find an "app" for that?

chuckv97 - Posted - 01/10/2020:  10:56:03

Higher Power app

Edited by - chuckv97 on 01/10/2020 10:58:59

banjola1 - Posted - 01/10/2020:  11:16:51

Gulp,,, The jig is up!

They don't keep statistics on people like me anymore. I'm an extinct species.

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 01/10/2020:  12:30:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjola1

quote:

---

Originally posted by Laurence Diehl

Let's not turn this into a "kids these days" thing. I just think addictions are a problem, no matter what your age (or substance)

---

I agree! Addictions are a problem.

Where can I find an "app" for that?

---

I gave up my addictions and am now merely obsessive/compulsive - ah, much better!

USAF PJ - Posted - 01/15/2020:  11:28:36

So I may be the "last guy". I do not own a cell phone. I will state that nine out of ten people look at me and then say, "that must be really nice, how do you do it?"

As a high school P.E. teacher I see the demise of cells phones and the challenges my colleagues face. Now it is not uncommon for me to walk out to class texting and taking selfies on my banana. The kids stare in disbelief and bewilderment and think I am crazy, but it keeps them off guard. Then there are those times when I am yelling into my banana and as I get no response, I tell the students I need to get an Apple.

banjola1 - Posted - 01/16/2020:  00:08:24

"Computers are useless. They can only give you answers."

Pablo Picasso -

Edited by - banjola1 on 01/16/2020 00:13:55

 

banjola1 - Posted - 01/16/2020:  00:12:59

quote:

Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain.

Carl Jung

 

Edited by - banjola1 on 01/16/2020 00:17:41

5strings3picks1banjo - Posted - 01/16/2020:  01:49:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjola1

I just read some statistics on smart phone use:

"The average time for people on their phones in the US is 4 hours a day (including tablets). The average smartphone user checks their device 47 times a day / 17,155 a year."

Source: bankmycell.com/blog/smartphone...#chapter1



I don't know if this has already been a topic, but the statistic made me wonder how much more real musical learning could be accomplished if banjo practice time was just half what the average person spent swiping a smart phone.

This would be 2 hours a day and would greatly accelerate the learning curve, not to mention the neurological brain benefits that would accrue.

Full disclosure: I'm not a Luddite or against technology. I've been coding since 1997.

"Free Range Banjo"

---

Great idea to improve but beware practice correctly or you will end up like me,  Thumb middle index T m i t mi t t t t iii t oh me im terrible at Scruggs style.

So if we take our banjo everywhere we will improve. In the car, on the toilet, at the gym, in the bath, at work, picking up the kids, at the movies, in bed, at dinner, out with friends...............................................hahahaha

KCJones - Posted - 01/16/2020:  05:00:44

I think all these devices have improved banjo playing.

Earl's got nothing on my thumb swiping speed.

Touchscreen keyboards have introduced millions of youth to the two-finger thumb-lead technique.

Tuners, metronomes, amazing slow downers... they're nice but I'm still looking for an app that will change the strings for me.

ragincajunintx - Posted - 01/16/2020:  05:44:19

It must really irk you guys when facts get in the way of your strongly held opinions...

phys.org/news/2019-10-society-...days.html

banjola1 - Posted - 01/16/2020:  09:18:41

.

 

Owen - Posted - 01/16/2020:  11:33:21

...somewhat off-topic, but maybe, kinda, sort of related... if you use your imagination...

facebook.com/CarlosAlbertoCasc...E1MTk1Mw/

banjola1 - Posted - 01/16/2020:  12:12:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by ragincajunintx

It must really irk you guys when facts get in the way of your strongly held opinions...



phys.org/news/2019-10-society-...days.html

---

As I stated in a previous post, I take people case by case. I never hold someone's youth and experience against them.

Now that I think about it, you're absolutely right. Although I've never had children, I really am just some "old guy with a tic." In fact it's amazing how you already know so much about me.

I also just realized that my being here on this forum actually defeats my own argument. Thank you for enlightening me.

I'm old and I'll be gone soon. The forum and the world is all yours!

steve davis - Posted - 01/16/2020:  12:31:39

I have one phone and its on a wire in the house.
I average maybe 10 minutes a week on it.

ragincajunintx - Posted - 01/16/2020:  12:36:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjola1

quote:

---

Originally posted by ragincajunintx

It must really irk you guys when facts get in the way of your strongly held opinions...



phys.org/news/2019-10-society-...days.html

---

As I stated in a previous post, I take people case by case. I never hold someone's youth and experience against them.

Now that I think about it, you're absolutely right. Although I've never had children, I really am just some "old guy with a tic." In fact it's amazing how you already know so much about me.

I also just realized that my being here on this forum actually defeats my own argument. Thank you for enlightening me.

I'm old and I'll be gone soon. The forum and the world is all yours!

---

I don't disagree with OP... I also wish I could pull my 16 lb banjo out as often and conveniently as I can pull out my silenced 193 gram cell phone from my pocket. 

My comment above was only directed at you if you identify with the "kids these days" old timers that climb out from their Amish rocks and divert attention to a very small atopical point in the OP and distort the point to meet their already firmly held opinions.

Edited by - ragincajunintx on 01/16/2020 12:38:29

steve davis - Posted - 01/16/2020:  15:11:13

A phone won't help my 9 ball game or learn the next fiddle tune.
It doesn't help playing Scrabble,either.
Those are the things important to me...and killing trees.