Social Dilemmas That Have An Effect On Humans Today
What Cost Are We Paying Working From Home?
The #pandemic has caused millions to work from home. Has there been any negative or positive effects from this experience that some people have been catapulted into? The unique and unexpected answers were given during a popular news series. Anchorwoman Jerickca Duncan featured on CBS This Morning news series Eye On Earth featured the theme Cost of Working From Home. Duncan explained, “This morning in our series #Eye On Earth. We look at how working from home is effecting the environment. When people all over the world don’t go to the office there are fewer cars on the road. That’s good for air pollution. But a recent UN report, from an unexpected 7% drop emissions this year will have an insignificant effect on the overall global warming trend. Mark Phillips shows how working from home can actually impact the planet more than you may realize.”
News Correspondent Mark Phillips shared these intriguing and surprising points by explaining, “For a lot of us in these #Covid times the morning commute has developed into its own new routine. Fighting all that traffic down the hallway and into the home office. But if there’s one consolation to this new way of life, it’s a feeling that however solitary, it may be better for the planet. We are after all, producing a lot less of the global warming greenhouse gases that we used to by spewing our way to work in our cars and then spending our days in power-hungry offices. Well hold the smugness. Working from home is not cost free and the more of us do it the more environmentally expensive it becomes. Every #e-mail or text especially the unnecessary little ones, every thank you and got it. Every time we hit send, or download, or stream or, zoom. They all require power. Somewhere massive banks of computers are sucking up enormous amounts of #electrical energy to do it. The cloud doesn’t so much have a silver lining as a carbon one.“ What an interesting perspective to follow the effects of e-mails or texts in our daily lives and the impact they have on the environment due to massive energy requirements.
Mark Phillips did additional research by interviewing an expert in this field of carbon footprinting. “But Mike Berners-Lee who has written on the #carbon cost of everything says it’s not that simple.“ Expert in carbon footprinting Mike Berners-Lee commented, “But on the other hand if you’re at home with the heating on which would otherwise not have to be. Then that’s not so good. And you’re probably using more computing stuff than you would be.“ Phillips then asked each of us to carefully consider why this is importan. “Think about it every e-mail we send not only requires electricity to write as it travels across the #internet. lt gets stored and transferred from one mega service to another gobbling up energy along the way. Then if it gets read. It sucks up even more power. An e-mail may use just 5% of the power needed to deliver a paper letter but we send and receive kazillions of them. Someone here has actually done the math. And figured that if everyone in Britain send one less thank you email a day. The carbon saving would be like taking about 3.5 thousand cars off the road. Admittedly it’s just a rough calculation but the principle is accurate. I.T is a huge consumer of power and it’s growing exponentially. Many more people are e-mailing and receiving e-mails. And so many more people are #streaming. If the cloud becomes that much bigger and requires that much more storage. Isn’t that creating an energy hungry infrastructure?“ Without hesitation Mike Berners-Lee responded, “Yeah. It is. And we estimate that the whole of information, communication technology is probably responsible for somewhere between 2 and 4% of the whole world’s carbon footprint. And that’s a big deal. And it’s becoming a bigger deal.“ Phillips who presented this news worthy story from his home in London closed out this informative interview by explaining, “Maybe the question we need to be asking is, do I really need to send this?”
Comments and suggestions were given by the substitute News Anchors. Jamie Yuccas mentioned, “So, l looked it up. It’s actually a lot less energy use if you text someone. So if you can get it down under a 160 characters it uses a lot less energy. Just don’t send a GIF or however you want to say it.“ Jerickca Duncan chimed in by asking #Vladimir Duthier, “And l know Vlad you were working from home so long. You actually had a crew.“ Vladimir agreed and stated, “Yeah. We had a crew. We had lights. We had cameras. And the electric bill was a little higher than it normally is.“ Jamie then asked Vlad jokinglg, “Have you expensed that yet?” Vladimir laughed and said, “l have not.“ Jamie once again joked and said, “l think we should work on that.“ Vladimir then went on to explain, “It does take a lot of energy and you know it’s important that whenever you’ve got a positive which some people might find working from home a positive. There is a negative...” This was truly an interesting subj that we rarely consider how e-mails especially take enormous amounts of electrical power. Mark Phillips made a good point. Before sending that next little e-mail message like, “Thank you.” Why not consider texting it.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have taken up a worldwide campaign of #letter writing during this #pandemic along with telephone witnessing reaching millions daily. Whether the letters are handwritten or typed, they are determined to share a positive message to as many people, to give a true source of hope during these dark times of disease and pestilence. They’re intent is to remind a multitudinous of people about God’s Kingdom that Jesus taught us to pray for in the model prayer at Matthew 6:10, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (King James Version) Millions of letters go out daily around the world. Letter writing is just more prudent during these critical times.
“Cost of Working From Home”
“Think about it? Every e-mail we send not only require electricity to write as it travels across the internet. It gets stored and transferred from one mega service to another gobbling up energy along the way. Then if it gets read. It sucks up even more power. An email may use just 5% of the power needed to deliver a paper letter but we send and receive kazillions of them.” “Eye On the Earth” series said, “100 emails leaves same carbon footprint as driving a mile in a car.”
— News Correspondent Mark Phillips and the “Eye On the Earth” series on “CBS This Morning”
What help can we receive during this pandemic?
- How to Beat Pandemic Fatigue—Bible Verses & Principles to Help
People around the globe have had to adapt to living under threat of the pandemic. What the Bible says is helping many to overcome pandemic fatigue.
Social Media and lt’s Effect On Humanity
On #Netflix an original documentary was featured entitled, The Social Dilemma by Argent Picture. Numerous professionals within the social network industry were interviewed concerning #mental health and its link with social media. This question was asked, what is the problem? There was little or no response at the time. The documentary started with such statements by executives, engineers and other specialists. This comment by Sophoclis acknowledged, “Nothing vast enters the life of mortals without a curse.” The video featured above has been viewed by millions and touches a fringe of the problem.
Experts were interviewed from major #Social Media companies made comments such as, “l left Google in 2017 due to ethical concerns and not just at Google but within the industry at large.“ Another official chimed in and mentioned, “l was President of Pinterest and Director of Monezation. It’s easy today to lose sight of the fact that these tools actually have created some wonderful things in the world. They’ve reunited lost family members. They’ve found organ donors. I mean there were meaningful systemic changes happening around the world because of these platforms that were positive. I think we were naive about the flip side of the coin.” One specialist who served as a developer of Social Media made this interesting statement, “These things you release then and they take on a life of their own and how they’re used is pretty different than how you expected.” What are the consequences? The response was, “Nobody, l deeply believe, ever intended any of these consequences.”
During this #Netflix Original Documentary a National Correspondent explained, “Despite the so-called Big Tech names are getting bigger.” NBC’s Nightly News with Lester Holt said, “The entire tech industry is under a new level of scrutiny.” Is mental health a concern regarding Social Media? One reporter replied, “And a new study sheds light on the link between mental health and Social Media. The issue was then addressed by Tucker Carlson, “Here to talk about the latest research...gets no coverage at all. Tens of millions of Americans are hopelessly addicted to their electronic devices.” Another specialist frustrated by the entire scenario said, “l am exasperated by the fact that you can literally isolate yourself now in a bubble, thanks to our technology.” Concerns such as #fake news on Twitter and other sites along with cyber attacks by other countries have become a major threat around the world.
Families are suffering as distancing between parents and children due to Social Media continue to exist. A lack of communication as children don’t respond to their parents because they are on cell phones during the day into the night. It was explained how physical appearance has taken control, “Plastic Surgeons have coined a new sydrome for it ’Snapchat dysmorphia’ with young patients wanting surgery so that they can look more like they do in filtered selfies.” How sad for our young people.
A powerful presentation was given by #Tristan Harris where he stated, “Today l want to talk about a new agenda for the tech industry. And what l want to do that is because if you ask people what’s wrong in the tech industry right now there’s cacophony of grievances and scandals. There’s tech addiction and there’s fake news and there’s polarization and some elections getting hacked but is there something that is beneath all these problems that‘s causing all these things to happen at once? I just want to see there’s a problem and it has to do with one source, like one...”
ls there one source where these problems can be resolve? Think about it. The Bible clearly states, “lt does not belong to man...even to direct his step.” Jeremiah 10:23. (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures) Without man’s ability to direct his own steps, who will rescue him? “These Bible teachings provide clear answers. And man will not die off from pollution, lack of food and water, or a global pandemic. The world would not be destroyed in a nuclear holocaust. Why not? God is in control of our planet’s future. Granted, God has allowed humans to exercise free will. However they will reap the consequences for their decisions. (Galatians 6:7) The world is not like a runaway train, completely out of control and heading to a catastrophic end. God has established boundaries, or limits, on how much damage humans can inflict on themselves.”—Psalms 83:18; Hebrews 4:13.
Tristan pauses for a moment and continues, “When you look around you, it feels like the world is going crazy. Do you have to ask yourself like, ‘is this normal or have we all fallen under some kind of spell?‘ l wish more people could understand how this works because it shouldn’t be something that only the text industry knows.“ Tristan went on a CBS News program where a reporter described him, “Tristan Harris is a former Design Ethicist from #Google and has been called the closes thing Silicon Valley has to a conscience. Another reporter agreed, “He is asking the tech industry to bring what he calls ‘ethical design’ to its products.” Anderson Cooper of CNN said, “It’s rare for a tech insider to be so blunt but Tristan Harris believes someone needs to be.” Tristian continues, “When l was at Google l was on, the Gmail team and l just started getting burnt out cause we had so many conversations about you know what the inbox should look like and what color it should be. I felt personally addicted to email and l found it fascinating that there was no one at Gmail working on making it less addictive. And l was like is anybody else thinking about this? I haven’t heard anybody talk about this and I was feeling this frustration with the tech industry overall that we kind of like lost our way. You know l really struggled to try and figure out how, from the inside we could change it. And that is when l decided to make my presentation kind of a call of arms. Everyday l went home and l worked on it for a couple hours every single night.”
Who are these people that affect so many lives based on Social Media? Tristan gave some very disturbing information, “l basically just said never before in history have 50 designers 20 to 30 years old white guys in California made decisions that would have an impact on 2 billion people...I’ve seen this affecting my kids. l see this affecting people around me. We have to do something about this.”
One expert acknowledge, “Everyone in 2006 including all of us at Facebook just had total admiration for what Google had built, which was this incredibly useful service that did, far as we can tell did lots of goodness for the world and they built this parallel money machine. We had such envy for that, and it seemed so elegant to us...and so perfect. #Facebook had been around for about two years, and l was hired to come in and figure out what the business model was gonna be for the company. I was Director of Monetization and the point was like, you’re the person who”s gonna figure out how this thing monetizes. And there were a lot of people who did a lot of the work, but l was clearly one of the people who was pointing towards well we have to make money...”
In the end to find a reasonable Bible based solution go to jw.org where only Jehovah God through the kingdom established by his son Jesus Christ which will rid the earth of all its problems where no sickness, death, pain or sorrow will exist. Not one person will be addicted to Social Media in this new world. Everyone will be balanced, loving and peaceful. We look forward to those times.
Video from YouTube about The Social Dilemma of the Internet
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2011 Claudette Coleman Carter
Comments
snapcracklepop on October 04, 2016:
You're welcome sis. My username: snapcracklepop, reflects the sound of my bones popping at times if I turn a certain way. Lol! :D Yes, we have enjoyed the WT on marriage as well as our public talk dealing with seeing ourselves in the new world and we are looking forward to more information on how to have a successful marriage.....You and yours my sister, also take care (Ruth 2:12)
angelladywriter on October 04, 2016:
Thank you and I love your code name snapcracklepop. I know that you enjoyed your meeting on Sunday because that Watchtower was soooo powerful as the majority of them are. We truly have an abundance of spiritual food that is so spiritually uplifting to us daily. Continue to enjoy your meetings and your service to Jehovah.
Please take care my sister.
snapcracklepop on October 01, 2016:
You are very welcome sis. I was thinking how beautiful and refreshing the worldwide unity we have within Jehovah's organization (1st Corinthians 1:10). What a blessing! Speaking the "pure language" helps us identify "one of our own" no matter what part of the earth or side of the earth we live on, so to speak....Good night/early morning sis, it is very early here in Michigan. We're on EST time. Our meeting for today is at 12:30, and I'm looking forward to our public talk and the WT on "Marriage-Its Origin And Purpose"! :D
You have brought up an interesting point about people not just acknowledging Jesus, but also, the real need in loving, acknowledging, and coming to know our Creator and heavenly Father Jehovah, who is a God full of "undeserved kindness"....Enjoy your meeting my friend and sister and have a spiritually refreshing day, complements of Jehovah :D
snapcracklepop on October 01, 2016:
Your words were so on point. Thanks again for your insightful thoughts. I can tell that you love people and just want the best for them which is to come to know the truth about Jehovah God and his precious son Jesus Christ.
As Jehovah's people, we pray constantly that people will not just recognize the son Jesus but acknowledge our Grand Creator Jehovah as well. Satan has worked diligently to mislead so many people. I am thankful that the preaching work continues because Jehovah desires everyone to be saved. In harmony with God's love, we will continue to work in the ministry to preach about Jehovah God's glorious kingdom that is ruled by our King and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Thanks again snapcracklepop for your words of inspiration.
snapcracklepop on October 01, 2016:
Oooh Angelladywriter, I appreciate you saying those kind words. And you are welcome. Yes my friend, people need to know about our loving heavenly Father Jehovah and the awe-inspiring, unprecedented blessings that He has in store for obedient mankind.....This "search and rescue", God given assignment, that Jehovah's servants are privileged to carry out is very fulfilling and encouraging, for it helps us to stay focused on the new world and builds our love, faith and appreciation for our God, Jehovah and our dear neighbors.
There will be many who will not listen to the message of the good news that we bring to them and that's there choice. We, Jehovah's Witnesses, are not in the business of forcing others to listen to us. The beautiful thing however Angelladywriter, is that they have been served notice by our presence, whether they listen to us or not. Whether they open their doors or not, they have been served notice. They know it's us, because they see us through their peep holes and windows. They see us walking down their street or road when they drive by or walk by us. Mentally in their mind, they say the words: "It's those JW's". Now, they can never say when Jehovah brings Satan's wicked system of things to an end, that they never had a chance or an opportunity to find out about the good news concerning God's Kingdom, because we are everywhere earth wide.
Many people who pray the "Lord's Prayer" at Matthew 6:9,10 know it by heart. They can recite that prayer word for word, yet they truly do not know what they are asking for. They do not know the true and real significance of those words. When they say the words in verse 10: "Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth.", they don't realize that they are asking Jehovah to rid the earth of all wickedness and if they are not on Jehovah's side, they too themselves, will be destroyed right along with this wicked world. They in essence may be praying for their own death if they do not come to know and obey the true God Jehovah. How profoundly sad. Lives are at stake and you and I and our dear brothers and sisters, our whole "association of brothers", are so very privileged to share the message of "good things to come..." with other honest-hearted ones. What a marvelous humbling experience of sharing in this God assigned lifesaving work.
It is very refreshing and heartwarming to correspond with you Angelladywriter. I too look forward to reading your encouraging thoughts and insights as well.
Claudette Coleman Carter (author) from Media, Pennsylvania on October 01, 2016:
Hi snapcracklepop
Thank you so much for your encouraging and spiritually uplifting words. I totally agree with you that things have gotten much worse not only for our children but all of mankind.
I constantly pray for God's kingdom at Matthew 6:9, 10 that Jesus taught us to pray for. Under this kingdom guns and violence will no longer exist. Neither will sickness, death, pain or sorrow. Our grand Creator Jehovah God wants this for all mankind. I can tell by your loving words you want what is best for all people as well. Our family desperately desires to see the world ruled by Jesus under that kingdom. That is why we try to tell as many people as we can about this wonderful hope for the future.
Thank you snapcracklepop for you spiritual insight and loving words.
snapcracklepop on September 30, 2016:
Angelladywriter, awesome post! I totally agree with you. Since the publishing of this post, things have gotten much worse for our children and young ones when it comes to others exercising their constitutional rights....No one thinks about the children and their right to live in an environment free from the threat of being hurt, maimed, or even worse, killed by gun fire.
Sadly, and unfortunately no amount of legislation, petitions, or picketing will change peoples mind about their "right" to own a gun or a child's right when it comes to protection against accidental and non-accidental death from gun fire. It will take Divine intervention, a higher Power, Jehovah to make it safe for our children. Its a heart condition and mindset based on appreciation for God's Word that condemns gun violence as well as other kinds of violence against children, our little ones, teenagers and young adults. And just as you've stated "if people would only teach themselves and their children to respect life..." really there would be no need for guns. Yes, your post is very refreshing indeed, and it serves as a reminder to me and others of our faith, just how much we need God's Kingdom (Isaiah 2:4, Isaiah 11:9)
Raymond D Choiniere from USA on January 13, 2011:
Hey Angelladywriter, If you're attempting to get rid of guns completely? You're insane, because that would mean that society and humanity were civilized. That isn't the case. I received your email and responded. I wasn't sure what hub you were referring to in your email, but realized you responded to this hub, when I checked out your name.
Yes, there is a lack of love in the world- this is no doubt, but stop and THINK about it- 2/3 of the world's population is of some form of religious, either in life or in belief. This is the problem- why there isn't enough love in the world, because obviously people much rather lie to themselves and the rest of the world.
Claudette Coleman Carter (author) from Media, Pennsylvania on January 13, 2011:
People, please stop making everything so complicated. If we don't, we will continue to spill the innocent blood of our children. We must teach them love and respect for themselves and others. Whether we base those teachings on the Bible or our own beliefs. There is too much lack of love and respect for others. We do not need guns and violence of any kind. When we truly start to understand that, the world will be a better place for us and our children.
Raymond D Choiniere from USA on January 10, 2011:
Interesting article, but I don't think you have a grasp on the larger picture. I can see where you're coming from, but the path much easier traveled is through years, generation after generation, conscious responsibility and accountability, founded on education. It's not about whether or not freedoms are too much. It has more to do with ignorant people, doing ignorant things for ignorant reasons. I'm not making light of the tragedy that has befallen those people, but there is more to it, then just love from the teachings of Jesus.
