Brain Damage

[reagan]

Though I've never posted it publicly, one reason I choose to photograph only with FSU Rangefinders is because it has been my suspicion for some time that Digital P&S cameras are one of the leading causes of brain damage among adolescents. I've done my own exhaustive private research of this theory, observing quietly a great number of young people for years, with no little amount of attention shown toward my own granddaughters. Watching those two little sweet things slowly but surely spiral further and further downward into the abyss of total idiocy, it is now with heartfelt conviction that I make public my findings and share what I truly believe to be the “smoking gun” evidence that indeed, our Yutz are being ravaged daily with DPSSD, Digital Point & Shoot Stupidity Disorder.

Please, before it's too late, watch for these symptoms among your own children.
(see symptoms in Smoking Gun evidence attachment 🙁 )

 

[Stephanie Brim]

How do we combat this devastating disorder?

 

[darkkavenger]

*shudders*!

 

[Fred]

I shoot digital as well and can't see a problem. My other self does not agree though. Should I really have three arms..... Now where did I leave those pixels.

 

[darkkavenger]

I hope you're not slapping yourself when you sleep 😉

 

[kiev4a]

I believe DPSSD may be emblematic of a much larger problem --DSD -Digital Stupidity Disorder -- dating back access by the general public to personal computers, cell phones, video games, the internet, etc. All this stuff was suppose to save us time and make us smarter. Seems to me we now all have less time and the school test scores keep declining. We spend all our time setting around allowing "labor-saving" devices to do things that used to require one to exercise his or her mind.

Judged a high school contest a couple of years ago where students had to work as teams to put together displays on various historical events. I would venture to say that 75 percent of the displays featured information that had obviously been cut and pasted from various internet sites--a lot of it wasn't even correct information. I wonder if anyone still goes to a real library?

 

[reagan]

"Should I really have three arms....."

Oh poor Fred. I feel your pain. Apparently this is a common symptom. Even my own family has had to come to terms with the reality that our oldest granddaughter has a third arm apparently growing out of the middle of her back. (see the evidence in yet a 2nd Smoking Gun attachment 😱 )

I can only hope that your added appendage is as cute as this one.

 

[exaktamoment]

My youngest son (14) has a fading memory of film and trips to the Jewel Food store to drop off stuff for processing ( a nebulous term he really has no concept of ) even though he still sees reminders of same in the form of prints of those he knows and loves. Of course, nowadays he's more likely to ask which one of the printers I used for this one or that one and I haven't the heart (or the patience) to go through it all - again!!

But the ultimate vacuosity was seen to cross his face when I tried to explain how aperture settings related to Depth-of-Field. Fortunately, I was able to utilise the drool from his slack-jawed expression to clean the lens on the camera. Of course, when cleaning the lens, I was sure to caution him to never attempt that sort of thing himself without supervision. Somehow, I knew it wasn't necessary, but I cautioned him, anyway. I held his cameraphone up in front of his face which immediately snapped him back to (his) reality and he went merrily traipsing off to the mall.

Lou

 

[XAos]

I finally figured out this whole digital camera thing - especially the part about total strangers getting so upset with you at the mention that you still use film. I dont preach film but I get LOTS of people almost angry with me for not "being with the program". And therein lies the clue...

Anyone remember the Star Trek Next Generation episode where they had that little game device? And they all replicated it until everyone on the whole ship except Wesley and his girlfriend were playing it? The game was just the lure, the device was really a mind control device to take facilitate taking over the ship.

I never could figure out why they get so forceful about updating before now, but it all just makes perfect sense with that little bit of information. So there you have it - we must be strong. The future of the planet is at stake.

 

[reagan]

But the ultimate vacuosity was seen to cross his face when I tried to explain how aperture settings related to Depth-of-Field. Fortunately, I was able to utilise the drool from his slack-jawed expression to clean the lens on the camera. Of course, when cleaning the lens, I was sure to caution him to never attempt that sort of thing himself without supervision. Somehow, I knew it wasn't necessary, but I cautioned him, anyway. I held his cameraphone up in front of his face which immediately snapped him back to (his) reality and he went merrily traipsing off to the mall.

Lou, you're killin' me here, KILLIN' ME!
😀 😛 😀 😛 😀
Can't stop laughing!!​

 

[exaktamoment]

Actually, I have discovered that the same thing happens to his friends - so the chances are that you, too, can have your very own walking, talking (or mumbling, as the case may be), camera lens cleaning kit just by finding the nearest teenaged person that won't yell "STRANGER DANGER!!!" and holding your camera in front of their face so the aperture markings and the depth of field scale are clearly visible. In less time than it takes to say "This is how it works" the eyes glaze over, the lips slowly separate and out comes the cleaning fluid. Works every time.

Lou

 

[exaktamoment]

Hey 'streets' - what general part of Illinois do you live in?? I live in Plainfield, Il - on the other side of Joliet from the prison.

Lou

 

[reagan]

Lou, I'm in Rockford. Only lived here a short time, long enough to freeze through a winter and watch my grass die through a drought summer. Does Illinois have any "normal" weather? Love it though. The Parks along the Rock River make for some good people watching ... 😎 Haven't made it over Joliet way, but it's not too far, right?

"...the eyes glaze over, the lips slowly separate and out comes the cleaning fluid. Works every time."

You're right there. I worked with teens for a number of years and I noticed that same malady and response can be achieved by simply attempting to convey any information that could possibly be construed as "learning." 🙄 Well yeah, it's kinda that same look as the granddaughter holding the P&S in the first attachment .... right there she's probably nanoseconds from cleaning fluid seepage.

 

[wyk_penguin]

To combat DPSSD we should really be using more film, those who insist on digital should at least be given an RD-1. 😀
I see people relying on their TTL-flash, and know nothing about exposure (not even metering, "just attach the flash and the person's face together with the background will always turn out nice" 😕 ; nice and flat and utterly un-natural that is 😀 )

 

[exaktamoment]

To combat DPSSD we should really be using more film, those who insist on digital should at least be given an RD-1. 😀
I see people relying on their TTL-flash, and know nothing about exposure (not even metering, "just attach the flash and the person's face together with the background will always turn out nice" 😕 ; nice and flat and utterly un-natural that is 😀 )

Well said.

 

[exaktamoment]

CVBLZ4,

Rockford is about an hour North by Northwest of me (on weekends with little traffic). I like Rockford - there's a kind of older, settled feeling about the place. Unfortunately, I would never be able to make the money I make up there, or we might well be neighbors. My wife and I have thought about moving up there several times - but it's just money.

Lou

 

[reagan]

Unfortunately, I would never be able to make the money I make up there, or we might well be neighbors. My wife and I have thought about moving up there several times - but it's just money.

Yep, I hear ya. In fact, since moving here I've learned that most of the new housing going up is aimed at commuters that work Chicago area, etc. With gas sky high and risin', I can't see that as being so inviting, but hey, what do I know?

 

[MacDaddy]

CVBLZ4
Hey! I "grew up" in Byron, just down the road from you! Born in St. Charles, moved to Byron when 3 and moved to Davenport, Iowa as a teen! (Don't brag about that though, as IOWA is an acronym for Idiot Out Wandering Around) ;o) I sent you an e-mail through your blog, btw.
Rob "MacDaddy" White

 

[MacDaddy]

CVBLZ4
Hey! I "grew up" in Byron, just down the road from you! Born in St. Charles, moved to Byron when 3 and moved to Davenport, Iowa as a teen! (Don't brag about that though, as IOWA is an acronym for Idiot Out Wandering Around) ;o) I sent you an e-mail through your blog, btw.
Rob "MacDaddy" White

 

[popitz]

DPSSD... i wouldn't want my son to contract that disease... that's why i'm already exposing him to film cameras (pardon the pun)... he seems to like it...