I didn't anticipate the Motivation Benefit

[mk313]

Wow...this thread is depressing! Yet another reminder that we as a species seem to be on a path to an unchallenged, full reliance on technology to accomplish even the most basic of tasks that we as a species seem to have carried out perfectly well for millennia before all of this technology came along!

There is always one of these posts in every single thread that talks about how an apple watch (or iPhone back in the day) has helped motivate someone to better themselves. It always puzzles me that someone would read the thread and instead of being happy that people are bettering themselves, that they feel 'depressed'. Sure, there a lot of things that we used to do, but it's hard to judge someone when you don't know their story. It's possible that the original poster is a single parent who works at a desk job and is gone for 12 hours a day between work & commuting. Then maybe they come home & choose to spend their time cooking healthy meals for their kids before spending time on helping with homework & playing with their kids before bed. And after years of that, they've slipped physically from where they were as a 20 something. Now they've found a tool that helps them better themselves and someone else has to come along and complain about it.

I'm not a single parent or anything like that, but I can say that when Apple & Nike introduced the Nike + iPod system back in 2006 (ish), it changed my life & turned me into a lifelong runner. Sure maybe I should have been motivated to run just for the simple pleasure of hunting a wild animal to kill for dinner (just like we used to do for millennia), but that's not my reality.

This thread seems like one of those that fit the old saying 'If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it'

To all those who have posted that they are motivated by the Apple watch and have increased their physical activity because of it, congrats to you for making a choice to better yourself, regardless of where you started or what got you motivated.

 

[Bandaman]

Wow...this thread is depressing! Yet another reminder that we as a species seem to be on a path to an unchallenged, full reliance on technology to accomplish even the most basic of tasks that we as a species seem to have carried out perfectly well for millennia before all of this technology came along!

The only thing depressing here is your attitude.

 

[bluespark]

Wow...this thread is depressing! Yet another reminder that we as a species seem to be on a path to an unchallenged, full reliance on technology to accomplish even the most basic of tasks that we as a species seem to have carried out perfectly well for millennia before all of this technology came along!

Your premise is that working out (or standing/moving) on a daily basis is a task that we "carried out perfectly well" prior to the Apple Watch. For many, though, that's not true. Plenty of people who might not have found daily motivation before are finding motivation from closing their rings. And nothing about the rings takes motivation away from those who already had it.

I'm of the view that those who need motivation (or reminders) to do healthy things should look for that motivation wherever they find it. There are non-tech strategies for this, but tech gives us additional options and that's a good thing. Here, the tech options also do something that non-tech options wouldn't, which is to monitor the stand/exercise/move activities and update automatically. Once again, it's hard to see how that is a bad thing.

 

[nickdalzell1]

I prefer the ability to know ahead of time of possible health issues over the exercise aspect. Even as a vegan I would prefer to know if there's possible a-fib or high heart rate or stress. Having that tool is certainly more convenient vs. going to a doctor and paying their rate!

I remember when the most recent health craze began. The year, 2013, the Galaxy S4 and original Galaxy Gear released. Samsung Health launched. I got started then, and it continues with both Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch 3. Originally a pet deer and I used to play so that got me into the habit, but today it's primarily motivated both by my love of nature and occasional pings from my watches.

Heck, just my day so far was something once only possible in science fiction or in an episode of Inspector Gadget

I did a 3 mile outdoor walk, asked Siri to play my YouTube Music playlist, which cued up songs for exercise mood. During my walk, I got hungry for a snack so I ran to Kroger, asked Siri to pause music and to open the Kroger app on my iPhone which I used to make my payment for a snack, and carried all that out the door and continued my run to the nearest park bench to eat. I wanted to listen to music during this but my hands were full so I asked Siri hands-free via my AirPods to resume the music.

Totally seamless, always working, and super convenient. I can't imagine going back to before such things existed.

 

[GlenK]

I've been an athlete my entire life and I'm 69 years old now. If I'd had one of these when I was a young man I'd have been a heck of a lot better athlete. We used to spend hours compiling information to manually track our stuff and manage calorie goals and training and now it's all done automatically just by wearing a watch!! I look at this thing every day and think what a miraculous device!!

 

[TVOR]

There is always one of these posts in every single thread that talks about how an apple watch (or iPhone back in the day) has helped motivate someone to better themselves. It always puzzles me that someone would read the thread and instead of being happy that people are bettering themselves, that they feel 'depressed'. Sure, there a lot of things that we used to do, but it's hard to judge someone when you don't know their story. It's possible that the original poster is a single parent who works at a desk job and is gone for 12 hours a day between work & commuting. Then maybe they come home & choose to spend their time cooking healthy meals for their kids before spending time on helping with homework & playing with their kids before bed. And after years of that, they've slipped physically from where they were as a 20 something. Now they've found a tool that helps them better themselves and someone else has to come along and complain about it.

I'm not a single parent or anything like that, but I can say that when Apple & Nike introduced the Nike + iPod system back in 2006 (ish), it changed my life & turned me into a lifelong runner. Sure maybe I should have been motivated to run just for the simple pleasure of hunting a wild animal to kill for dinner (just like we used to do for millennia), but that's not my reality.

This thread seems like one of those that fit the old saying 'If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it'

To all those who have posted that they are motivated by the Apple watch and have increased their physical activity because of it, congrats to you for making a choice to better yourself, regardless of where you started or what got you motivated.

Not that it matters...but for the sake of disclosure...I AM a single parent who regularly works 80+ hours per week, has raised a happy and healthy child, cooks meals every day and spends time with my child (not so much "playing" with a now 18 year old...but still). I do exercise, not as much as I would like, but it is what it is!

So yes, like many others I have slipped from my peak physical fitness...partly because I am just getting older...partly because I don't have that much time...but I don't need a gadget to remind me to better myself! I don't need to find motivation in technology. I am fully motivated to improve myself - physically, educationally, intellectually, spiritually - sadly my situation doesn't allow me as many opportunities as I might like to do all of those things...but I do what I can.

I agree that technology CAN have fantastic, transformative effects on individuals and society as a whole, but this ain't it! But, as I am VERY used to, I am being criticised for stating that I feel that we as a species are far too reliant on technology. So for those of you who find comfort in the loving, ever welcoming arms of your tech, I am pleased that you have found happiness. Nonetheless, none of that invalidates my opinion that we as a species are on very much the wrong track!

 

[TVOR]

Your premise is that working out (or standing/moving) on a daily basis is a task that we "carried out perfectly well" prior to the Apple Watch. For many, though, that's not true. Plenty of people who might not have found daily motivation before are finding motivation from closing their rings. And nothing about the rings takes motivation away from those who already had it.

I'm of the view that those who need motivation (or reminders) to do healthy things should look for that motivation wherever they find it. There are non-tech strategies for this, but tech gives us additional options and that's a good thing. Here, the tech options also do something that non-tech options wouldn't, which is to monitor the stand/exercise/move activities and update automatically. Once again, it's hard to see how that is a bad thing.

Ummmm...yeah...it was....before technology meant that more and more jobs became "desk jobs" and created the very situation which we find ourselves in now.

 

[TVOR]

The only thing depressing here is your attitude.

I see that dissent is not tolerated well here! I am advocating for a less tech-focused life, where people actually get out into the real world and exercise because they want to, because their job is more labour-focused, because of the joy of being in nature, rather than because a gadget tells you that you haven't completed some arbitrary gamified fitness regime! If my preferred life, that of being outside more, less glued to tech, more in tune with nature is depressing to you...then OK...you are entitled to that view...best of luck to you!

 

[TVOR]

Well at least it's getting people moving instead of sitting still.

I am not denying that...I'm just advocating for personal responsibility as a goal rather than machine-control

 

[nickdalzell1]

I feel we as a species are too reliant on consumerism aka, buying the latest iPhone or Watch or what-have-you even if your current device works perfectly fine. I am a firm believer in 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' and to quote Henry Ford "not all change is progress"

Our planet cannot sustain itself with unfettered consumption. I still rock a 6S, and Watch 5, and I'm a buy it once and done kinda guy. It all still works. I don't believe in obsolescence, and I love the challenge of keeping old stuff going. I follow YouTubers Shango066 and RadioTVPhononut.

I also believe in tech assisting us, but not replacing our need to think or even do manual labor. I despise the idea of A.I. replacing a lot of tasks we'd do ourselves and can do even today, like thinking for us. Or driving us. I feel some things are not best left to tech.

That said, I enjoy my Watch and living the sci-fi life. I won't be upgrading my iPhone or Watch but am confident they will work for the foreseeable future. I let tech connect with nature not distance myself from it. That's why the way my iPhone is configured mirrors my Galaxy S4, down to the sound effects and wallpaper, to quote the old motto of Samsung TouchWiz, "Inspired by nature, designed for humans"

 

[TVOR]

Nice argument

Are you saying that you believe that this technology that we are discussing is as important as the invention of the wheel then? Please elaborate why...I'm genuinely interested.

 

[nickdalzell1]

The only analogous thing I can come up with is that at one time I'm sure people thought the 'wheel' was unnecessary, as walking did the job, and when the automobile launched, people argued that horses were fine.

It's a luddite argument, but I have no personal hate for anyone who eschews technology if their life is comfortable as is. I mean, who are we to tell people such as grandparents what they need to use? I really don't like people who believe that 'newer is always better' to the point that they laugh or make fun of anyone who still uses a Motorola StarTAC in 2021 or someone using an O.G. iPhone 2G. If it works for them, leave them alone!

I'm certain there are people on this forum who think bad things about me since I still use an iPhone 6S (I have gotten comments about 'how on earth can you live with a 6S?! Try the iPhone X at least!). It works for me. It has a headphone jack and yes, I've forgotten to charge my AirPods and rather than live without my music during that instance, I am glad a wired headset is in my pocket just in case. Why do so many people think people around them must update and be all the same?

 

[TVOR]

I feel we as a species are too reliant on consumerism aka, buying the latest iPhone or Watch or what-have-you even if your current device works perfectly fine. I am a firm believer in 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' and to quote Henry Ford "not all change is progress"

Our planet cannot sustain itself with unfettered consumption. I still rock a 6S, and Watch 5, and I'm a buy it once and done kinda guy. It all still works. I don't believe in obsolescence, and I love the challenge of keeping old stuff going. I follow YouTubers Shango066 and RadioTVPhononut.

I also believe in tech assisting us, but not replacing our need to think or even do manual labor. I despise the idea of A.I. replacing a lot of tasks we'd do ourselves and can do even today, like thinking for us. Or driving us. I feel some things are not best left to tech.

That said, I enjoy my Watch and living the sci-fi life. I won't be upgrading my iPhone or Watch but am confident they will work for the foreseeable future.

I absolutely agree with the consumerism comment. I believe that a majority of "innovation" these days is made up of solutions looking for problems...and far too infrequently is the question asked "Do we actually need this?"

Sure, people will find uses for the tech...and as I stated in another post, sometimes that tech can be legitimately world-changing, but most of the time, a huge majority, it is just technology for technology's sake.

Funnily enough, I am typing this response on my 2009 Mac...so I'm with you on the "if it ain't broke..." line. It still does everything I need it to! I am sure there are those with more specific requirements that would benefit from something more modern...but those make up probably single digit percentages of users who buy because they are led to believe that this new feature will change their life...and I find it sad...

 

[TVOR]

The only analogous thing I can come up with is that at one time I'm sure people thought the 'wheel' was unnecessary, as walking did the job, and when the automobile launched, people argued that horses were fine.

It's a luddite argument, but I have no personal hate for anyone who eschews technology if their life is comfortable as is. I mean, who are we to tell people such as grandparents what they need to use? I really don't like people who believe that 'newer is always better' to the point that they laugh or make fun of anyone who still uses a Motorola StarTAC in 2021 or someone using an O.G. iPhone 2G. If it works for them, leave them alone!

I'm certain there are people on this forum who think bad things about me since I still use an iPhone 6S (I have gotten comments about 'how on earth can you live with a 6S?! Try the iPhone X at least!). It works for me. It has a headphone jack and yes, I've forgotten to charge my AirPods and rather than live without my music during that instance, I am glad a wired headset is in my pocket just in case. Why do so many people think people around them must update and be all the same?

The wheel was truly a revolutionary invention though (pun very much intended) and it enabled us to do things we simply couldn't do before. Comparing that to a watch that reminds you to stand is just nonsensical in my opinion!

As for the car/horse...that's more of a grey area...although I have to say...if we had stuck with horses we might not have this climate crisis that we all have to solve now!! So the new tech (cars) creates unforeseen problems (climate change) which we then need to rush to find new technology solutions for which, in our panic to rush out solutions, may well cause further problems down the line!

Or new tech (computers) creating a world in which more and more jobs are sedentary and which creates rising levels of unfitness which we then need newer tech to solve.

I am FAR from being a Luddite...I am not Amish...but I do believe that the worshipping at the altar of technology has to stop!!

 

[nickdalzell1]

I will call your 2009 Mac and raise you a 2000 PowerBook G4.

I am currently using a 2019 MBP but that is my last 'new' Mac. I don't 'need' anything newer. I got a drawer full of backup smartphones (and dumbphones) to fall back on in the instance one of my devices breaks. There are people in the PPC forum browsing the modern web on a PowerPC (I still firmly think Apple got rid of it too soon since it had tons more potential and history is repeating itself with the M1 thing)

I don't think one has the right to point and laugh at anyone using old things. I always thought the opposite. I actually was enamoured with old things as a child, and I got a serious kick out of the idea of a 'flip clock'. It did exactly what my fancy 80s digital clock did, but in a far neater way! Many old things in my great grandparents' home excited me. They had a 60's microwave (people still believe they came out in the 80s!). They had a 50's TV that actually ran on tubes! I mean, this thing was hard-wired to run on vacuum tubes but it still did everything our 80s Sears TV did, only it ironically lived far longer! Our Sears developed a vertical deflection issue 5 years into owning it.

I was taught to respect my elders. But no Gen Z person does; they look at them as obsolete people who are out of touch with reality. How does my grandpa stand using a StarTAC?! I mean who's business is that of yours you child?

I'm sorry but this disrespect for previous generations and older tech bothers me so much.

Me being vegan makes me ethically against horseback riding but I do believe a bicycle is more earth-friendly and gives you exercise too. Only issue is getting to my girlfriend who's 530 miles away would be a big problem relying entirly on a bike. But a bike is a more appropriate upgrade than an electric vehicle.

 

[Night Spring]

I am not denying that...I'm just advocating for personal responsibility as a goal rather than machine-control

But using the watch to motivate myself to move more isn't machine-control. It's still my choice to follow the watch's suggestions. I'm in control. The watch is just a tool that jump starts my path toward being more active, and helps me keep track of how much I've done each day.

 

[nickdalzell1]

One could argue that Apple gives you more control now that you can modify all three goals instead of just one. I always believed the 30 minutes exercise and 12 hour stand too arbritrary for some people.

However, one price of tech reliance is that hardly anyone younger than 30 knows how to read and follow a paper map. What happens in the event the satellites all deorbit or fall victim to a solar flare? We'd all be lost!

technology should be a supplement not a replacement/crutch. Each time I hike other hikers are always looking down at their phones. I see a deer cross my path, these fools miss that entirely. People can't even go on a date without their phones being the center of their attention. Please people, it can wait.

 

[TVOR]

I will call your 2009 Mac and raise you a 2000 PowerBook G4.

I am currently using a 2019 MBP but that is my last 'new' Mac. I don't 'need' anything newer. I got a drawer full of backup smartphones (and dumbphones) to fall back on in the instance one of my devices breaks. There are people in the PPC forum browsing the modern web on a PowerPC (I still firmly think Apple got rid of it too soon since it had tons more potential and history is repeating itself with the M1 thing)

I don't think one has the right to point and laugh at anyone using old things. I always thought the opposite. I actually was enamoured with old things as a child, and I got a serious kick out of the idea of a 'flip clock'. It did exactly what my fancy 80s digital clock did, but in a far neater way! Many old things in my great grandparents' home excited me. They had a 60's microwave (people still believe they came out in the 80s!). They had a 50's TV that actually ran on tubes! I mean, this thing was hard-wired to run on vacuum tubes but it still did everything our 80s Sears TV did, only it ironically lived far longer! Our Sears developed a vertical deflection issue 5 years into owning it.

I was taught to respect my elders. But no Gen Z person does; they look at them as obsolete people who are out of touch with reality. How does my grandpa stand using a StarTAC?! I mean who's business is that of yours you child?

I'm sorry but this disrespect for previous generations and older tech bothers me so much.

Me being vegan makes me ethically against horseback riding but I do believe a bicycle is more earth-friendly and gives you exercise too. Only issue is getting to my girlfriend who's 530 miles away would be a big problem relying entirly on a bike. But a bike is a more appropriate upgrade than an electric vehicle.

I respect that! I'm not vegan myself, but I understand the ethical situation. The 530 miles would be a problem without a car...granted! But perhaps the solution would be to just (one of you) move to where the other lives! That's how it would have happened in the past!

I totally agree with the dismissing of old things though (generations...tech...morals...traditions)

 

[nickdalzell1]

Oh I do hope she can move in with me in the future. I met her on Facebook ironcally enough on a vegan group.

But there's also the issue of snow. We get a ton here! I'm trying to actually stock up for winter to avoid driving needlessly however. People usually stop at vegan to lower their footprint but I try to find more and more ways to go further.

 

[Shreducator]

For me it’s love/hate. Sometimes it’s motivating other times I’m overly obsessed which can back fire when I miss days or have a slower mile. Daily habits are good however the nitty gritty details I think are over rated.

 

[TVOR]

But using the watch to motivate myself to move more isn't machine-control. It's still my choice to follow the watch's suggestions. I'm in control. The watch is just a tool that jump starts my path toward being more active, and helps me keep track of how much I've done each day.

Of course it's your choice. It's an individual's choice whether to go on social media...in my view one of the most wasteful choices a person can make. And yet people spend weeks (or even months) of their life every year on social media. And they choose to do it....largely because it is engineered to be addictive. People choose what to buy...but sites like Amazon have the "People who bought what you just bought also bought this" crap which is engineered to get you to buy more. It is ultimately your choice...but that choice is heavily influenced.

My point is that people have become too reliant on tech "suggesting" what they should do next. Become have become algorithmically assimilated into the hive...and (again in my opinion) FAR too easily swayed by "suggestion"

To be clear, I have NOTHING against people using technology. Even the Apple Watch itself has many genuine benefits. I am not arguing AGAINST tech. I am arguing against using tech as a substitute for personal responsibility, for good habits as a matter of course rather than needing to be "motivated" by a watch. If something is genuinely important to you, you will remember to do it....or do people not agree with that?

 

[nickdalzell1]

Re:Amazon the irony is that the last few things I bought there were used and consisted of:

1. Two Samsung Galaxy SII Smartphones
2. One Samsung Galaxy Note II
3. One Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1
4. One Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (3G/Wifi)

Nothing displays for 'customers who bought what you bought also bought this' because apparently people can't imagine using any of those older devices in 2021 even if they work perfectly fine!

I still use VCRs too. movies on VHS tape are super cheap compared with DVD or Blu-Ray.

TVOR, you might enjoy this video:

 

[TVOR]

Oh I do hope she can move in with me in the future. I met her on Facebook ironcally enough on a vegan group.

But there's also the issue of snow. We get a ton here! I'm trying to actually stock up for winter to avoid driving needlessly however. People usually stop at vegan to lower their footprint but I try to find more and more ways to go further.

You met on Facebook? So technology created the problematic situation which now requires other tech to solve???? ?? Seriously though...I'm only teasing...best of luck to you both and I am glad you have found somebody...an actual flash and blood being...that inspires you and motivates you!

I would actually love to live completely "off the grid"...perhaps using some TECH usefully to generate my own power...but I know that in some countries (Italy being one example)...it's actually ILLEGAL to not be connected to the national grid. You can't just generate your own energy and be self-sufficient. If you have solar or whatnot then you HAVE TO sell that power back to the national supply and then be hooked in to that same supply for your own power...it's madness!

 

[Bandaman]

I see that dissent is not tolerated well here! I am advocating for a less tech-focused life, where people actually get out into the real world and exercise because they want to, because their job is more labour-focused, because of the joy of being in nature, rather than because a gadget tells you that you haven't completed some arbitrary gamified fitness regime! If my preferred life, that of being outside more, less glued to tech, more in tune with nature is depressing to you...then OK...you are entitled to that view...best of luck to you!

No, you’re just being negative under the pretense of helpfulness.

 

[TVOR]

Re:Amazon the irony is that the last few things I bought there were used and consisted of:

1. Two Samsung Galaxy SII Smartphones
2. One Samsung Galaxy Note II
3. One Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1
4. One Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (3G/Wifi)

Nothing displays for 'customers who bought what you bought also bought this' because apparently people can't imagine using any of those older devices in 2021 even if they work perfectly fine!

I still use VCRs too. movies on VHS tape are super cheap compared with DVD or Blu-Ray.

Well...that's one way to beat the algorithm I guess!