Many techno-optimists/techno-enthusiasts claim that GDP
measurement does not capture all of the benefits of modern technologies (such
as the smartphone). What is conveniently ignored by such folks are some of the
negative or deleterious effects of modern technologies (distracted
students/poor attention span of the millennial generation; time wasted on
social media related activities; watching endless viral videos of dumb people
doing dumb things).
An interesting example of the negative effects of modern
technologies is provided in a recent WSJ article:
Car Crashes Are On the
Rise and Warren Buffett Blames Texting
http://www.wsj.com/articles/car-crashes-are-on-the-rise-and-warren-buffett-blames-texting-1441800119
The article states –
“A sudden rise in
traffic deaths surprised big car insurers in the first half of 2015, meaning higher
premiums for drivers who are now traveling in record numbers…
Distracted driving,
especially the use of smartphones to talk, text or even watch videos while on
the road, could be an overlooked contributor, said Warren Buffett, Berkshire
Hathaway’s chief executive. One in four car crashes involves cellphone use,
according to NSC estimates, even though most states have laws banning text-messaging
and hand-held cellphone use while driving.”