[cryptoz]

> That came, and it turned out, having a quality camera you take with you is pretty cool and the end of the world didn't happen.

It's a little early to say that, given that we're talking about things that take 50 years to transpire. You're telling people right now, in the midst of the smartphone explosion, that it's all said and done and over - you won't regret it at any point in your life, you'll always be glad of that smartphone, etc. But you don't know that yet.

And I will say that for some people it has already happened. I have missed countless things in the last 10 years because I was looking for my phone to take a picture. Events that happened and I never witnessed them to even get a memory of, just because I was looking down for my phone.

I already regret having the camera nearby but not quite ready to go for the last 10 years. Your examples are already wrong, and actually quite offensive in your tone, suggesting that you know better than everyone and that you know how everyone will feel in 50 years.

The concerns are real and justified, even if you personally don't share them.

[lordCarbonFiber]

So it's your phone's fault you've "missed experiences". I have to say, I've never heard that one.

Obviously no one can take away anyone's concern; however it's a larger leap to say all concerns are justified. I really don't understand your point, 50 years seems incredibly arbitrary. The smart phone explosion has come and gone; 95% of adults in the US have a cellphone and 77% have a smartphone[0]. Next to none of today's tech even existed 50 years ago can we not comment on any technological progress? I am nearly certain opinions will change over the next quarter century, and not in the way the luddites predict.

[0] http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheet/mobile/

[cryptoz]

> So it's your phone's fault you've "missed experiences".

I did not say that, don't twist my words like that. It is my fault I missed the experiences - I was busy looking for my phone.

> The smart phone explosion has come and gone; 95% of adults in the US have a cellphone and 77% have a smartphone

Sounds like we're at the start of people having smartphones. I don't see how you look at those numbers and think it's gone. The explosion and cultural changes are just starting, as backed up by those numbers.

> Next to none of today's tech even existed 50 years ago can we not comment on any technological progress?

I'm not sure where you got this. Of course we can comment on technological progress. But it's ridiculous to talk about the smartphone explosion and its societal effects like its the distance past. This stuff is happening now, nothing is "settled" or "said and done". It's all starting, really.