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Contributor name: henk

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Contributor since: Dec 8, 2006

Last seen: Dec 8, 2006

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What henk thinks of other contributors' views

70% (7 votes) agreed

What other contributors thinks of henk's views

100% (10 votes) agreed

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4 Day Working Week

henk thinks: I agree with Simpler, we need to concentrate on working smarter, not harder.

Expiration dates on products

henk thinks: I think it's up to the individual and how they use the products. Like anything, if you take good care of a product, it will most likely last longer. If you abuse it, it could fail in no time. Warranties serve as some sort of a guarentee that the product will last a given amount of time. It would be a huge liability for a company to attempt to assume the future of technology and guess the obsolescence rate of their products.

Complicated Technology

henk thinks: Technology makes things easier. When it comes to digital cameras, it's important to realize that as digital cameras replace the standard film cameras, there are other thing that need to change. We need to learn that there is more to technology than instantly solving a problem. Usually, upon solving one problem, several more are created. For example, a digital camera gives you instant viewing of photos, it allows you to take countless pictures without thinking about running out of film. At the same time, there needs to be a way to get the photos out of the camera, do you create prints or view it on your computer screen? Do you want to share your images with friends over the web? That means you have to learn how to use these 'companion' technologies as well.

As time goes on and a technology mature, I'm sure it will become easier to use, but inevitably in the beginning stage of any technological advancement in consumer products, there will be countless issues and problems to deal with. As we learn how people use the product, usability will increase and allow it to become mainstream.

Are people becoming less intelligent because of technology?

henk thinks: I have to agree with fang on what the question of what the definition of intelligence implies. According to Miraim-Webster, intelligence is define as "the ability to learn and understand". Remembering a phone number does not necessarily mean that intelligence is involved. Intelligence would come into play with the understanding of what the phone number is and how it allows one to perform a function, in the case, call another person.

I don't think people are getting less intelligent, but I do think that the reduction of day to day use of memory will lead to people relying too much on technology and create a society that is dependent on something other than their brains to remember important information. Memory and the retention of information is definitely something that has to be worked on and gets built up the more one uses it.

Latest comments agreed with

4 Day Working Week

Simpler thinks: I think it depends on the job type. Work requiring more thinking and creative problem solving would be higher quality of the job holder is clear in his/her mind. Too much time is wasted on pointless meetings so we could produce the same with a 4 day week. Problem is the culture in most places of work is not exactly saying "work less".

4 Day Working Week

idesign thinks: Are we talking about a 4 day work week comprised of 4 ten hour days or are we just cutting a day off the week? I think if we work 4 long days and in return get three days off in the week, it could be a viable solution, otherwise it's just going to reduce productivity and no company would agree to that regardless of how happy their employees are. Corporations exist to make a profit, not make us live happy, fulfilling lives.

4 Day Working Week

Maven thinks: Overall, I believe this would make people more productive. Often times when working on projects, I tend to be focused and would prefer to work straight through until it's finished. Not only does this provide a more comprehensive project, but it let's me focus on other things such as friends and family when I'm not at work rather than split time between the two on a five day work week.

4 Day Working Week

guy thinks: People are more productive when they feel they are valued. And giving them more leisure time would help people feel more valued and be more productive.

But also giving extra rewards and praise for getting a task done well, on time , or before time is also good.

If you have a certain job to do for a certain amount of pay, then when it is done you leave work; Is another way of organising time.

Also problems with unemployment can be solved by reducing the hours of those employed and employing more staff.

4 Day Working Week

JBonnin thinks: In France, the reduction of the workweek from 39 to 35 hours was very popular among workers and very unpopular among business groups...

But the French economic bad results stood on the side of the latter, and the 35-hour workweek had to be relaxed in spite of all the protests from the 300,000 people who marched against it, as they considered it an attack on employee rights.

Latest comments disagreed with

4 Day Working Week

chip thinks: Since we're in Euro flavour... one of Renault's (of about 2) more automated factories (which number, ummm, 16 worldwide) produces 1500 cars per day, with 2 assembly lines of 2 generations of robotic helpers, old and new. It probably wont make a difference to those assembly lines. And thats what technology is all about. It gives us the freedom to enjoy, explore and appreciate all the world has to offer. I was hoping for a debate on a 2 day working week...sign me up!

If its paper-pushing, then you have telecommuting....work all day,all week or at your pace and wherever you are.

4 Day Working Week

chbarwick thinks: Well A...and B. Both are true. The burden of government fifty years ago for the average family was 3%. Today its about 25%. So there is your 20 percent. The tremendous technological and production advances of two generations benefit your neghborhood civil servant.

4 Day Working Week

ikemchinedu thinks: A 4 day working week will make most people eager to get back to work on monday and probably make it the most productive day of the week as people return to work well rested and eager to go.

Also it means that before they get the friday fatigue or thank God its friday syndrome, they wont have to go to work on friday.

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