Kali Garg
Most of my time over the last few days was spent in worrying over the troubles I had faced with my Cell Phone.
Actually I must say troubles because they were more than one in number and to top it all, unfortunately all had come at the same time.
In addition to the normal hanging of a multimedia mobile phone and its slowing down, can you imagine your cell phone not registering a call log? No notification for text and mail received? Phone memory getting consumed on its own?
Believe me when I say those few days were like a nightmare to me; that period with a trouble making cell phone made me think of a few more things which have been added to the traditional definition of basic necessities “food, cloth and shelter” for any youngsters life. I guess many of you would agree on these as few of the most important things which affects our life and those, I have shortlisted to Five.
1. Mobile Phone: 
Well, since this made me think all this, hence unquestionably it would be on top of the list. With the developed technology, today’s cell phone is not used simply for making calls as they have a larger role in life, right from sending SMS, checking mails, clicking pictures, surfing net, music, etc. It’s meant to be in touch with anybody and everybody from every corner of the globe. If It refuses to work, it is almost like life has come to a standstill.
2. Computer: 
Undoubtedly we can say that the modern world runs on computers. It’s become an integral part of our life right from watching movies, listening to music, playing games, preparing office documents, preparing daily planners to internet facilities of emailing, chatting, e-shopping, video-conferencing and social interaction through networking and what not. It’s tough to think about a day without these activities.
3. Vehicle: 
Not having a personal vehicle won’t be a big deal for people living in metro cities as they have advanced means of public transportation. But for people like us living in small cities it is one of the basic necessities used daily for going to office, visiting friends and family, going around Fateh Sagar and so on. We are so dependent on these vehicles that even if have to go to a general store in just the next row we will pick up our vehicle and drive off. And someday, if the vehicle breaks down, be it a punctured tyre, battery trouble, engine problem or anything else, it is like somebody has a given punishment to stay put.
4. Television: 
Television too has become a source of refreshment after an exhausting day at office, school and college and is unfortunately also a companion at dinner. Being a source of entertainment, news, information and knowledge it has made a firm place in our daily lives. Even when it’s family time, television is not left out. Remember the days when television producers went on strike in 2008? Days went ahead like there was no drama left to add spice in life.
5. Facebook: 
Last but definitely not the least important thing in life. It is the epicenter of our generation, ‘FB’. It has brought down the world to one single platform. The best way for all to stay connected with friends, family, business people and sharing you’re every second activity and being updated on what’s going on in others life.
Dear writer,
Modern Materialism has just made humans like a handicapped person with a cripples, once a part of life he has to live with it.
Like I cant walk much these days reason i am so lazy that as mentioned in your article that i too need a vehicle to go to general store just 5 houses away from mine. Ya i will not like to go to friend for any help, either i will call him or put a message on his mailbox in FB. Ya its true that you mentioned in
Para related to computers, A day without it makes me feel like dead , like totally cutoff from the world.
But have you seen the positive aspect of these Modern Materialism, well man has changed his view i.e ” behind every success there is his hardwork too behind every success there is his smartwork.”
Now Why should I go to each of my clients when I can do a video conferencing, why should i waste my time visiting each friends at their house instead , directly i can post an invitation for a party on FB, why should i carry a camera, i-pod, a watch etc when i can use a mobile(all in one), why should i waste papers to write my note when i can use a computer(after all we all are go green supporters).
take a job like yours :
case 1 ) you can run for news in the whole city from morning 10 to evening 6 , in every corner, with camera and notebook in hand, well yes you will have a news at the end of the day
case2) you call up your friends in different part of your city ask them whats new in their locality using a phone or FB, ask them to mail write ups(use of computer), ask them to take a pic(use of mobile) and send you the matter, you just have to sit and complete your work.
well both places your have news but in case 1 you did hard work and in case 2 you did smart work.
in case 1 you are tired and at the end of the day you will just go and sleep, but case 2 work done still fresh, just go for a outing and fun with your friend (use of vehicle)
In short, Dear writer, in today’s world there is a difference between a donkey(hard working animal) and human(smart working animal) And a winner is always a smart worker reason if smart he is a multitasking person.
With regards
V.V.Nair
Dear Vaishakh,
I still prefer hanging out with friends rather than chatting on fb, I love to meet people rather than video conferencing, I like to invite my friends and relatives personally for a party rather than posting it on fb. And FYI, using computer instead of paper harms environment more. Not using paper doesn’t mean being a “go green supporter”. You may like to read this for some critical info : http://goo.gl/zRHTF
And above all, I don’t allow these tools of modernization to make me lazy and kill my social life.
I would like to know how you could judge the author’s job ? Always remember one thing, “Never judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.”
Saying that dropping a message on fb or phone and collecting daily news is so easy. Just give it a try some day. And I think, you will never ever need to even read a newspaper, right ?
There is of course a difference between the way a donkey a human being thinks. A human being is never afraid of hard work and smart work isn’t possible without intellectual thinking (of course, a donkey can’t do that). So, your comparison of the two cases and author’s job with phrases like donkey(hard working animal) and human(smart working animal) sounds childish to me.
You need to grow up and broaden your thinking before you comment about someone/someone’s job. A gentle reminder, “Never judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.”
Dear Puneet
the same comparison done by Mark Zuckerberg founder Facebook, Bill Gates founder microsoft, Phillip Kotler marketing guru(Professor Harvard university). If these people were childish to say this I am fine with it.
And well I too do business, Have you got a appointment with clients each one after another and that too at at different corners of the country. Well that time if i think myself to be a social animal and go taking flights to each place can cost very much but being smart or childish i will like to use video portal by cisco or skype.
being in the shoe case, to start my business that too without any infrastructure was too difficult for me, but then today just with a laptop, cellphone and social networking , I am daily able to meet the clients, Though I had to extend my launch dates but then for the moment I have 25 clients with 8 centers being prepared for the same. And to make this work I didnt had to run here and there.
Hanging out with friends! everyone likes too true…. But how do they reach you to make a plan? well thats by using a cell phone or FB.
Now the link provided by you was really great but still to recycling concept of the IT that is cluster computing is coming to existence, your website gave me the news that windmill belt will be established in the country, ONET technologies to have entered the market. More use renewable energy will automatically help in decreasing the carbon footprints. It will take time but sooner.
And I will like to grow up Reason reason being a child I lean, If I woudn’t have been childish you woudn’t have given me the link.
And I always like to compare myself to those who were once Idiot for the world.
Regards
Nair
Dear Vaishakh
I am glad to know that you like to learn and grow up. Bill Gates and Zuck were drop outs and they became billionaires doesn’t mean that every drop out will become a billionaire. It depends on the skills of that person.
Handling 25 clients across 8 centers obviously means that it’s not practically possible to spend money and time traveling these places. That’s where the utility of Skype comes into scene. But, think if you were a Civil Engineer and handling several projects in various parts of the country, won’t you need to travel to those places or can Skype help you ? There is a different requirement of each job and the one who does that understand the requirements very well.
A news reporter will prefer carrying a smartphone or a pocket camera while collecting news. While during some events there is a need of DSLR. Requirements vary from time to time.
Your comparison and pointing to author directly (instead of a general example) sounds illogical on a public forum. You could have used some other example (probably how you use these modern tools efficiently, like you did in last comment) and expressed your views without hurting the sentiments of writer.
BTW, my question still remains unanswered “I would like to know how you could judge the author’s job ?” Would be great if you can throw some light on this topic and justify your suggestions for author’s job.
Dear Puneet
the same comparison done by Mark Zuckerberg founder Facebook, Bill Gates founder microsoft, Phillip Kotler marketing guru(Professor Harvard university). If these people were childish to say this I am fine with it.
And well I too do business, Have you got a appointment with clients each one after another and that too at at different corners of the country. Well that time if i think myself to be a social animal and go taking flights to each place can cost very much but being smart or childish i will like to use video portal by cisco or skype.
being in the shoe case, to start my business that too without any infrastructure was too difficult for me, but then today just with a laptop, cellphone and social networking , I am daily able to meet the clients, Though I had to extend my launch dates but then for the moment I have 25 clients with 8 centers being prepared for the same. And to make this work I didnt had to run here and there.I too have a magazine getting launched on 16th Feb, And I too have collected contents for the same. So I am still in the writer’s shoes.
Hanging out with friends! everyone likes too true…. But how do they reach you to make a plan? well thats by using a cell phone or FB.
Now the link provided by you was really great but still to recycling concept of the IT that is cluster computing is coming to existence, your website gave me the news that windmill belt will be established in the country, ONET technologies to have entered the market. More use renewable energy will automatically help in decreasing the carbon footprints. It will take time but sooner.
And I will like to grow up Reason reason being a child I lean, If I woudn’t have been childish you woudn’t have given me the link.
And I always like to compare myself to those who were once Idiot for the world.
Regards
Nair
just have a look in the second para there is a small mistake that is ” I will not like to grow up Reason being a child, I learn, …cont……
Dear Puneet
As you mentioned in your comment about the computers , I guess you should go through this.
http://inel.wordpress.com/2007/03/23/should-schools-stop-using-paper-and-start-using-electronics/
Regards
Nair
Dear
besides , no one in today’s era is concerned about what everyone else is doing , everyone n today’s era is more concerned about how can they make their life better , so i would conclude , that everyone of us have their different opinion , everyone has a right to put forth their thoughts and expressions, if you disagree with the points .. then my friend , i m sorry to say that you need some meditation , because ” Anger is the seed of all destruction, if you learn to control anger , then you learn to control your life ” a friendly advice for you Mr. Puneet sahalot
Puneet Sahalot
i m really touched by the way you are justifying the “authors job” but just rewind these few minutes and take a closer look at what you have done .. at the end, you are sitting in front of a computer screen writing your views and expression for the many people who are reading it . so Practically there’s no point arguing the fact that these “Materials ” of the modern world hold very important spot in the life of every human being .. and personally . i dont think that you have walked a mile in their shoes , if you would go ask ten of those people about this topic they would probably have the same answer , because this is a topic in which there can hardly be any debate , just try to think , if you dont have a cellphone and some calamity occurs .. then would you prefer writing a letter to inform your friends about it ?? if you dont have a television would you be aware of whats is going around in the world .. although newspapers serve the need full but still it is the call of the modern generation to be fast and updated with every moment, infact i dont think that one has to walk a mile , when he can drive it off . and if someone prefers walking than driving .. i would say he is a fool ..
Mr. puneet i dont know who you are . but still i m connecting to you via this webpage ..doing this i m connecting to someone new , someone who has not met me before .. but still you can understand me by reading to what i have written .. this entirely new connection is not through letters Mr. Puneet it is because of the advancement of technology and the growth of a human brain ,
i consider the human brain as the most deadliest weapon , the most constructive force , and also the most destructive impulse .. You very well said that “Never judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” but just try to think , if he was walking in your shoes , then probably you would be barefooted
nothing personal , just my thoughts and expression .. and if they are provoking enough .. then m sorry that i tested your patience .
it was nice sharing a few words with you , i hope they ll help you good ..
regards
Anand R. Saxena
Dear Anand,
I am not against using technology. I myself spend a lot of time online both for my work and entertainment.
But, there is a difference between using technology for work and field work. Facebook, mobile, car, television and television are not a “perfect solution” for a news reporter’s job. That’s what I meant to say in my previous statement.
Everything has benefits and drawbacks but relying entirely upon technology is not a solution and I don’t agree with the views that sending a message on fb/mobile could bring the news from around the city/world.
By, “Never judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” I meant to say that the one who does the job better knows how to do it. Suggestions are always welcome, but only some logical suggestions are useful. Thanks for adding your punch of humor!
dear vaishakh and Puneet ,
the writer just wrote an article to pen down the thought process initiated by her experience with trouble-making phone. she did not accuse the human beings regarding their ”dependence” or ”independence” on modern tools.
each n every one of us is dependent on modern gadgets directly or indirectly and lets not forget that some 50 years back there were no computers, cellphones or ”video conferencing” still businesses were being conducted , deals were being signed, clients were entertained and social life was more healthy. That time also people had time to meet, human beings did smart work and yet were not termed as donkey ( as they were surviving without the modern gadgets , the non-usage of which according to some persons is donkey workl)
i agree completely to the gentle reminder, “Never judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.”
The modern gadgets can help the writer in writing his article ( use of computer) or clicking pics ( use of mobile ) but as regards collection of news , none of us have a right to comment whether they are doing this smartly or in a ”donkey” manner.
i have just one question to the brilliant businessman cum smart worker ”asking or calling up your friends in locality to tell you the news going on there n sending pics through e-mail” ..is who is being paid for the job and can a friend who is not in profession of journalism pass on the details essential to complete an article ???? I wonder why journalists travel all over the world to collect news and not simply call up their ”friends” there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i guess friends too have their own profession to pursue….
with love and common-sense,
reshal
Reshal, I agree with the views of Kali. It all depends on how we use/misuse these modern means of communication and leisure. My views were in respect to Vaishakh’s comment.
All I wanted to convey was that the requirements and use of technology vary for each job.
I very well understand the way Kali or any other news reporter works because I myself have done that for a while.
i totaly agree with vaishakh nair…. modern materialsm are the source of living now a days… wel obvsly i wld lik to use my cll phone or my fb to invite my frnds rathr thn goin to his place n invite… it does’t matr wthr u do smart work or hard work in the end the work is done or not that matrs… n i think smart work is betr thn the hard work wel vaishakh explaind it clrly in erlr coments…… modern materlsm helps us to save our time… and MONEY. n i don hav to say anything else vaishakh hd explnd much alrdy…..
Hey Puneet, Vaishakh. I am glad you both masterpieces of your field are concerning your view-points but believe me guys, there’s no such need of provoking a war here. Look I know you both personally and I understood what’s your take on this. I read the article and your comments.
The point writer is conveying is just like: “These are the 5 things which have become customary for us!” Writer, I am sorry but yes, this is the truth I agree but they are important as well in today’s life – one can’t stand without these. Time is changing and so, people’s way of working/living. But Puneet. I think idea of hanging out is awesome instead, but what we have these things as secondary! For sure, one like all these but you can’t practically live without these all. If one needs to succeed then he should have to stay ahead of all and these are the things which helps you for some. Common Puneet, you’re accepting this now. We all have our job and all we want is to progress; one can’t progress untill his/her boss see the productivity and to show the results ahead of all, you need these.
And for sure, even with these, we still hang out with friends, and meet people indeed. But one can’t do it all time! And my last point, is, the time changes, we can’t stop the flow!
Hi Swapnil! Good to see you here sharing your thoughts. it’s been a long time since we last met.
Saying the same thing again, I am not against use of these modern tools but I don’t even like to get addicted to these and become lazy.
It’s obvious that before going out with friends we need to make a phone call instead of visiting their place. At the end of the day, I prefer meeting my friends rather than chatting.
Same is the thing with use of facebook for work. We, at UT, share the latest updates on a facebook page. So, facebook becomes a source of news for others but it can’t be a source of news for UT.
It’s good to change with time and accept the changes. But, not everything old is worth “rejection” and not everything new is to be “accepted”.
Let’s be a part of the flow and not being washed away.
yeah, indeed!!
and surely we’ll be meeting shortly. Thanks
Dear Reshal
There has been some misconception which has been following in the above arguments.
1) my comment is not for the writer
2) Reshal now any channel or journalist visit some unknown place at a unknown time to gather the news, when they get to have some message via a mediator.
3) Reshal business was done at that time and this time too, but today do you know how MNC’s are working and how many new coorporation are getting launched each day.
4) Reshal every minute is now important, if you loose a single second you loose a client.
5) Resha,l you did CA with you thousands of others too, read an article about u on UT, you are interested in investment banking and financial sector.. there are people who are siting infront of screens looking at bargraphs and sensex , they dont go into the market and visit each client , instead sit at a place and control their clients,
6) reshal what I mean too say is, People ask what is the shortcut to success then for me its, how much use of technology u can make to make yourself sit at a place and control the movement of world.
7) and most importantly I haven’t said anything comparing the writer, i just gave some examples.
8) Well Its great that we still want to be a away from the use of technology and getting addicted to it.
but Reshal the truth is technology is a part of human life now…
you are SMART if you use it AND IF NOT, ONE AMONG those who wait in a Que for opportunities.(this you denotes all(everybody) not just a single person or you)
Regards
Nair
Just a quick note with respect to the first statement “my comment is not for the writer”
You should have better used a general example instead of pointing directly to the author ” take a job like yours” and the following cases. That could have avoided a lot of misconceptions and won’t have led to discussions for justification and clarification.
“Choose your words wisely. You can’t take them back”