This study examines the feasibility of providing Internet and electronic mail access to older adults in a retirement community and the extent to which this improves psychosocial well-being. In contrast to members of a comparison group, a trend toward decreased loneliness was observed among participants. In addition, the number of computer-related problems decreased and use of the applications increased throughout the study. Surfing the Net in Later Life: A Review of the Literature and Pilot Study of Computer Use and Quality of Life Journal of Applied Gerontology September 1999 18: 358-378.
Translation: Researchers helped helpless old people create an addiction. Now, like rats pressing bars to get opiates delivered to their brains, the old folk sit around with their computers scrolling facebook. Nursing staff complain the geezers get surly when it's Depends change time and they have to pry their grip from their mouses. The finding that loneliness is decreased is lauded by the researchers but who has time for feeling lonely when you are keeping up with the shenanigans of 482 facebook friends? One's brain is in some kind of hypnagogic state and out of touch with physical reality. One doesn't even know that one is an old fart in deterioration and moving toward death. Hmmm . . . might be better than all those drugs.
Translation: Researchers helped helpless old people create an addiction. Now, like rats pressing bars to get opiates delivered to their brains, the old folk sit around with their computers scrolling facebook. Nursing staff complain the geezers get surly when it's Depends change time and they have to pry their grip from their mouses. The finding that loneliness is decreased is lauded by the researchers but who has time for feeling lonely when you are keeping up with the shenanigans of 482 facebook friends? One's brain is in some kind of hypnagogic state and out of touch with physical reality. One doesn't even know that one is an old fart in deterioration and moving toward death. Hmmm . . . might be better than all those drugs.
It would be better to provide them with a stimulating physical environment than a stimulating virtual environment. I guess you could sum it up as something is better than nothing.
ReplyDeletethey could throw laptops at each other.
ReplyDeleteb.