Bill Maher New Rule -- Social Media is the New Nicotine

[ancianita]

The moral rot of this country began when corporate america decided it wasn't enough to just successfully sell your product.

People need to be addicted to it.

[Honeycombe8]

1. Yep. I don't participate in FB or the phone addiction thing.

I have a FB page because I have to have one to access a couple of things. I have a semi-smart phone, but not a Smartphone, and I don't answer the phone when I'm in my car. So I never got started on those two things that seem to be addictive.

But I do get hung up on some forums, like this one, and check the "news" every day. I've also found it an excellent source of information and advice on things, like buying a house, pet care, etc. (other forums).

I don't get the FB addiction. I'm not even tempted, when I go on FB to start using it except to access the crime group or business page I'm there to view. I don't get wanting to post pics of your lives online for others to see. What's that about? A total preoccupation of oneself? I also don't go to FB for "news" and don't understand why anyone would. I check legitimate news sources directly or maybe through links in Bing or Chrome. CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, reuters, etc.

When I'm somewhere, I usually see others checking their phones. Or on the phone while in the store. Baffling. Like they are so important that they "must take this call immediately," no matter where they are.

[Kath2]

2. Right on.

As someone still addicted to the "old" nicotine, I can relate to how addiction is planned and managed.

"You've come a long way, baby." The Virginia Slims ad. That seemed pretty cool to me back when I was 15.

All corporate manipulation

[Pluvious]

3. This great piece reminds me of the episode in Black Mirror

Called Nosedive - a near future semi dystopian view of the stress of social media taken to the next level... Netflix content I recall.

[Skittles]

4. from the perspective of those of us without "smart" phones

people look and act like complete morons

[Beartracks]

5. Smartphones are the new excuse to not talk in elevators.

So, there's that.



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[Erick the Read]

6. Did you Notice?

This final New Rule got a lot less laughter from the audience than usual, probably because they know they're the e-junkies Bill is referring to. I have a cell phone, which has been on the fritz for about a month now. I haven't gotten it repaired yet, because I have a working landline. And when the cell was working, I only used it for making phone calls away from my house. That's it, even though I can apparently film with it as well as go online. Not interested. Hell, I'm already addicted to the net, and I don't need another monkey!

[Boomerproud]

7. Yes, it was a "look in the mirror" moment.

He was smacking the audience down (and all e-addicts) while not sounding too preachy.

[ancianita]

8. Maher's final New Rule is usually a frame for his one extended, serious issue, anyway.

[underpants]

9. Watched the whole thing and my My Posts did NOT turn yellow while I was gone

I haz sad