>We were way better off before smartphones. Looking back on it now, we may have been even better off before the Internet.
Not to contradict myself, but I have to disagree.
Smartphones and the internet have improved the quality of life for a significant fraction of humanity. Given the choice between going back to a pre-internet technological paradigm of landline phones and total corporate control over media and communication, or somehow learning to deal with opening Pandora's box, I'll take the latter.
You really believe smartphones were invented right after landline? Even at the time of landline internet was more free from corporate control than today.
Not to contradict myself, but I have to disagree.
Smartphones and the internet have improved the quality of life for a significant fraction of humanity. Given the choice between going back to a pre-internet technological paradigm of landline phones and total corporate control over media and communication, or somehow learning to deal with opening Pandora's box, I'll take the latter.