Technology - The Good, Bad and the Ugly

I grew up in a world that didn't have a ton of technology.  No computers or cell phones, just basic TV, radio and that's about it.  Obviously in the last decade or so, great leaps have been made and now new generations of kids will never understand what it is like to NOT have cell phones and computers.

I sometimes can't help but think maybe my simple childhood was better.  I am sure kids now would disagree as I am sure they cannot fathom life without constant connectivity, but I can.  Obviously there are great advantages to some of the technology.  You need information on anything?  Just google it.  Your car dies on the side of the road, pull out the cell phone.  Need to share pictures of your kids with family far away, put them on facebook. 

I understand the draw to an extent, but now we are seeing a whole new world of opportunities for pedophiles and bullies.  Recently a young man committed suicide because his roommate video taped him privately kissing another male and posted the video for everyone to see.  How humiliating for the young man and who knew if he had even shared with anyone that he was gay, and now it was public for everyone to mock. 

In another incident a woman's ex boyfriend took a photo off her facebook page and posted an ad on Craig's list saying she "an aggressive man with no concern or regard for women".  Next thing you know some weirdo showed up at her home and brutally raped her.  The only good part of this story is that both the rapist and boyfriend got 60 years in jail. (sometimes americans do justice better than we do).

Now don't get me wrong, I think people can be evil without the help of technology, but there is this disturbing trend toward being a douchebag because of anonymity. Chad and I both play W|OW and often in groups people can be terrible.  They say terrible things and act maliciously towards others. Now I am a big girl and I can take it.  I can put them on /ignore or rationalize that they must have been dropped on their head at some point.  But I often wonder about the young kids that are playing and being exposed to the hate.  Or the poor dood who is more fragile or has poor self esteem already.  Usually the people that behave these ways would never do it in person.  They do it with the "Cloak of the Coward" on and feel superior to others.  Personally if I am in a group and someone is nasty to others, I tell them to shut up.  I won't stand by and put up with abuse of myself or others. 

I know technology isn't going away, but I hope we can figure out how to fit it into our lives and get back to some compassion and manners.