TchaikovskyPiano

There is no substantial difference in content or depth between deep conversations over beers and over the internet or phone; there is nothing about modern communications that prevents deep conversation. The only difference is that conversations over the internet or phone aren't in person. Cell phones provide the added convenience of being able to plan ahead quickly. You haven't observed meaningful communication over the phone or internet, probably because a lot of people don't take full advantage of, or maybe refuse to explore the opportunities offered by, the technology (perhaps like those middle schoolers who use myspace for senseless junk).

mini

"mini - can we extend that age group to 65? We gotta be able to fit W in there. If this generation is dumber than him, we're in BIG trouble. Hard to do I think."

We'll need a bigger camp - we already took over Harvard and Princeton - maybe Yale is next. Oh, and one of those big second-tier state universities out in the boonies where we can help the local economy and not get into too much trouble.

Susantm

My son and I have had a number of deep conversations over cell phones since he has been away at college, conversations we never would have had without modern technology or back when long distance phone calls were so expensive. He still spends plenty of time with friends, too, doing things in person. As others have said, cell phones allow him to keep in touch with old friends at home while making new friends at college. And Facebook is another way they keep in touch during their busy lives. Skype phone will allow him to, hopefully, keep a strong relationship with his girlfriend while she spends a semester overseas. I am sure there are some who retreat from live human interaction through their computers and such, but there have always been people like that. Technology can be an obstacle to developing one's mind and relationships, but it certainly doesn't have to be. And I don't think it is for most young people.

TimeCruncher

Cultural alarm bells such as those rung by Bauerlein remind me of an old poem:

My grandpa notes the world's worn cogs
And says we are going to the dogs!
His grandpa in his house of logs
Swore things were going to the dogs.
His dad among the Flemish bogs
Vowed things were going to the dogs.
The cave man in his queer skin togs
Said things were going to the dogs.
But this is what I wish to state
The dogs have had an awful wait.

This poem might be much older than the 1910 Jeanette H. Walworth short story (entitled "A Christmas Story") in which it is said to have appeared. Regardless of its vintage, the poem makes a lot of sense. Time and technology march on. The sky isn't falling. I'm not worried.

LongPrime

I feel proud of our accomplishment. I know we spent money time and effort for these kids. Finally got some authorative validation. I wonder if my kid's generation can do as much for their kids as we have done for ours. I can't wait to be a gramps.

galoisien

Haiz.

This is what you call the Recency and Frequency Illusions.

The youth has always been like this. Of course our activities become more visible because of technology. Not too long ago, only 3-5% of people above 25 had even attempted (whether they were successful or not) completing college.

Had I been born 50 years ago, in the current socioeconomic condition I am in now, society would have encouraged me to be a coal miner or a paper mill worker, probably.

Of course, such unambitious life plans would not have been very visible to society.

Hunt

Ah, yes, I remember the deep conversations my friends and I had as we were driving around aimlessly and playing pinball.

galoisien

And psychedelic drugs. Don't forget the psychedelic drugs. Our generation doesn't have so much of that any more. No more, "Whoa man, I had the most profound vision ever," and a long conversation about evolution, revolution and the meaning of life with shroom-dominated overtones.

Maybe Youtube's our new drug.