“Smart” Phones Have Made Us All Increasingly Stupid

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses how smartphones have become a character flaw of modern society, akin to the biblical tale of King Nebuchadnezzar's transformation into a beast due to his hubris and pride. It explores how smartphones have made humans less resilient and adaptable, and how the constant consumption of information through these devices has blurred the line between fact and fiction, turning people into "zombies" who are easily manipulated.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Transformation of Humanity

1. What are the key similarities between the biblical tale of King Nebuchadnezzar's transformation and the author's view on how smartphones have transformed modern society?

• Both involve a character flaw (hubris and pride for Nebuchadnezzar, over-reliance on smartphones for modern society) leading to a transformation into a "beast" form
• In both cases, the transformation is seen as a warning or lesson about the dangers of unchecked character flaws

2. What are some examples provided in the article of how smartphones have made people less resilient and adaptable compared to previous generations?

• The author recalls being able to handle situations like car breakdowns or getting lost without a cell phone as a child or teenager, whereas now there is constant anxiety about not having a smartphone
• The author notes that they used to leave home without a second thought about whether their parents could reach them, whereas now there is a fear of being unreachable

3. How does the article suggest smartphones have impacted people's behavior and social norms?

• Examples are provided of people having inappropriate public conversations on speakerphone in places like airport bathrooms
• The article notes that texting and driving is now more dangerous than drunk driving, yet the punishment is less severe

[02] The Blurring of Fact and Fiction

1. What are the key issues the article raises about the blurring of fact and fiction due to smartphone use and information consumption?

• The author provides examples of encountering false "news" and rumors online, such as about casting for comic book movies, that are widely shared and believed
• The article notes that even reputable news sources like The New York Times have reported false information that had to be corrected later

2. How does the article suggest this blurring of fact and fiction has impacted people's behavior and critical thinking?

• The article suggests most people don't take the time to fact-check information they encounter online, instead just accepting it as true
• This leads to people being easily manipulated and having their attention hijacked by the constant stream of information, memes, and scandals on their devices

[03] The Cautionary Tale of Transformation

1. What parallels does the article draw between the transformation narratives in mythology/fiction and the author's view on how smartphones are transforming modern society?

• The article cites examples like the Power Rangers and superhero stories, where characters have to confront their own flaws to avoid being corrupted
• It suggests that, like these fictional tales, the transformation of humanity due to smartphone use may be a "warning" about the dangers of unchecked character flaws

2. What key question does the article pose about what is "shaping" people in the modern smartphone era?

• The article asks whether people are being "molded into a better man or succumbing to the worst aspects" of their character, similar to how the Green Ranger in Power Rangers was influenced by an "evil spell"
• It suggests the answer may be that smartphones, like an "evil witch", are pulling the strings and preventing people from reaching their full potential