Enebias: I don't think that the only way to learn is trough pain or negative experiences in general, far from it; yet, I also believe that there are some concepts that can be grasped only after having experienced them.
I don't think anyone will ever really understand violence (I'm being purposely generic) without having being one of its victims, for example.
I've never been a victim of real violence (not counting broken ribs from training etc) so I admit to not understanding real violence but I can extrapolate from what little I've experienced and conclude that violence is very, very bad. Especially if you're on the receiving end. The psychological wounds probably take much longer to heal in a great many cases. And some might never heal.
Enebias: I'm still a proud Nokia owner! I like rocks! ;)
Nokia 2330 owner here, had a Nokia 8210 until not long ago but the battery life became shorter and shorter and I got the 2330 as a freebie from someone so I didn't replace the 8210's batteries. I actually preferred the old 8210 because it does not have a color display and has much longer battery life (with a new battery) than my "newer" 2330.
Interestingly, such old cell phones are now considered cool by hipsters who actively try to get their hands on those old phones for style purposes.
I hope no one thinks I'm a hipster because, duh, that would be so unoriginal... ;D
Enebias: More seriously: I can see the usefulness of a smartphone, but I also feel that as a vehicle of continuous connection with the “digital world” it is alienating people, allowing them continuously looking everywhere - but without making them see anything (I hope the use of the two different verbs is correct).
I love technology in all of its forms, but I also think that everyone should be aware of how much they are using technology and how much technology is using them. Nothing is as dangerous as ignorance/lack of awareness.
Yep, and to illustrate this point: Just a couple days ago I was working up in the mountains and some foreign tourists were driving up on a closed road because their navigation app had sent them there. Common sense would have made them realize that you can't drive all the way up the mountain...plus if their faces weren't buried in their smartphone's screen they might have seen the sign that clearly say the road is closed and there's a $400 fine for driving on it unless you have a special permit. So I kindly and patiently told them to go back from whence they came which they dutifully did, not so much due to my authority but mentioning the $400 fine always works wonders.
