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Re:A Sociology of the Smartphone by pavement on Friday June 16, 2017 @01:08AM (#14566816)
Technological advances don't seem to have an undo button, as far as I can tell. Once a technology of utility is unleashed, things keep advancing and the genie never goes back into the bottle.

I suppose technology can go backwards, but only by way of generation-spanning disaster. The fall of Rome is an obvious example. I guess this means we'll be dealing with this constant technological overload for the rest of our natural lives, huh?

Re:A Sociology of the Smartphone by stewbrew on Friday June 16, 2017 @02:49AM (#14567082)
Technologies may become obsolete with the advent of other technologies or social changes. I think Bruno Latour makes an important point here in stressing that human and non-human (technologies) should be thought of as one. So, a technological change might go hand in hand with a social one. I don't think it has to be a disaster though.

This isn't really an undo but rather the result of some pruning when an obsolete tech isn't economically viable any more.

Re:A Sociology of the Smartphone by ajdlinux on Friday June 16, 2017 @04:32AM (#14567445)
I'm inclined to think this is true, but on the other hand, survivorship bias...
Re:A Sociology of the Smartphone by mirimir on Friday June 16, 2017 @04:02AM (#14567336)
It won't be long before smartphones are in our heads.
Re:A Sociology of the Smartphone by tritium on Friday June 16, 2017 @09:33AM (#14568737)
Yeah, that's worse, not better.
Re:A Sociology of the Smartphone by wddps on Sunday June 18, 2017 @11:07AM (#14580946)
Then when did we start going forwards again?