Technology

53% of Young People Would Trade Their Sense of Smell for Technology

53% of Young People Would Trade Their Sense of Smell for TechnologyYoung people love technology. Of course, this isn’t all that surprising. But, new research from McCann Worldgroup sheds light on just how much they value being digitally connected.

Their tech obsession is so powerful that it has the majority of young people claiming they would rather lose their sense of smell than be disconnected from technology. Seriously!

In a study that examined the opinions of thousands of young people between the ages of 16 and 30, researchers found that these individuals value connections, community, social or personal justice and authenticity. And — you guessed it – technology.

Biz Report has more:

So important is technology to today’s youth that over half (53%) would give up their sense of smell rather than lose access to it. To them, losing the ability to explore and communicate via technology would be like a blind man losing his stick.

It is clear from the results that technology plays an important role in youngsters’ lives and without it they would feel isolated and uninformed.

You can access the entire study here. The only question left remaining: Would you trade your sense of smell to stay connected to your favorite technologies?

Comments (141)

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  • justateen
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:20pm

    Cobra Two: stucking fupid? I’m pretty sure you meant to say ****ing stupid? I really never understood the point of swearing, your the one making yourself look stupid. All I was trying to say was that it’s not necessary to jump and attack teens over a poll. It doesn’t sound very stupid to me, but whatever.

    Report Post »  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 3:47am

      Yeah… It’s fknstoopid. I think Cobra is only attacking 53% of those polled. So… It doesn’t sound stoopid to you? Can you tell me what it smells like?

      Report Post » Meyvn  
  • mossbrain
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:18pm

    Most of you don’t realize it but you have already lost the majority of the sense of smell. if you practice you can smell every breath you take. It helps make you present to the reality of the physical world instead of walking around half asleep in the world of thoughts chasing each other endlessly. Give it a try, see how long you can smell every breath of air you inhale. It will be less than a minute before you are attracted to your thoughts and give up smelling.

    Report Post » mossbrain  
  • BornandBredintheUSA
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:08pm

    When you lose your sense of smell, you lose your taste as well. They pretty much go hand in hand. I think these kids don’t have a clue what they are saying. They may say they would give up their sense of smell, but they would realize their mistake and ask for a trade back in no time.

    Report Post »  
  • cobra two
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:07pm

    There ya go! Proof positive that at least half of the young people are just stucking fupid!

    Report Post »  
  • justateen
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:01pm

    I’m kinda annoyed over a lot of these comments. You call us ignorant..dumb..stupid? Really? I‘m pretty sure I’d not a freaking idiot, and I’m not going to lie, at first I actually kinda leaned towards technology versus my sense of smell. Although after thinking it over, I’m leaning back to keeping my sense of smell….but still. Would you guys really of said the same thing if you were kids?
    Also keep in mind when taking a poll, I doubt all these teens spent anymore then ten seconds thinking about the consequences. It’s completely understandable to choose technology over smell without thinking it through first. We aren’t constantly thinking about politics or the state of the economy/government(although we should). There’s been quite a lot of technological advancements that would really suck to live without. But anyways, I just feel like we’re being harshly judged over a stupid poll. Are these polls even reliable?
    Don’t give up hope yet for our country just yet, some teens still have a brain :)

    Report Post »  
    • thebarbarian
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:29pm

      yes i would say those things to my children and grand children. it would be what is known as a wake up call to reality. why would you ever for any reason give up a sence for something fleeting? this shows the level of indoctrination and the level to which your generation lacks interpersonal skills and the ability to think rationally quickly.

      the fact that you said that you/or pollees did’nt take but 10 seconds. that is a lot of time for critical thought. and the poll is not stupid it is neutral. and polls when used without biased cherry picking are extremely accurate.

      what would suck to live without is a part of YOU! as is your sence of smell. your statements drive home our points to the level of incompitancy drilled into you through leftist indoctrination. Ponder this for a while. You not techknowlogy is what is important. Yes tech. has bettered our lives. Just saying use it and don’t be used by it. Paradigm is paramount here.

      As for your last statement.I agree not to give up hope and no question about the brains. the question is do you know how to use your brains?

      Report Post »  
    • justateen
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:42pm

      I appreciate that comment..it does have me thinking. I‘d much rather be talked to like I’m an actual person with a brain then being calling f-ing stupid.

      Report Post »  
    • thebarbarian
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 3:03am

      well the fact is YOU ARE A PERSON. and am glad to see that you realize this. the dicussion here is truely about the individual vs the collective. i hope that you see that when you are talked into giving up a part of yourself for a thing you loose all of yourself.

      glad you did not misconstrue the message. please try to understand that there is a genuine concern and even fear for your and your parents generations.

      take care

      Report Post »  
    • RN MOM
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 7:36am

      Justateen- We’ve ALL been where you are. Youth have, since time immemorial, made rash decisions based on emotion and not intellect. It’s a hallmark trait of youth. Enjoy it. Just remember choices DO have consequences. God, I remember the crazy things I did when I was a teen. I am lucky to still be here. Just don’t go trading any part of your body for an ipad. LOL

      Report Post » RN MOM  
  • Mimi24
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:57pm

    Hate to tell you but if you lose your sense of smell you lose your sense of taste so all food would be tasteless. Yum.

    Report Post »  
  • Aaron in Polk County
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:56pm

    Why? Why is this even a story? Slow news day?

    Report Post » Aaron in Polk County  
    • Kalshion
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 3:03am

      Because some people don’t realize much influence technology has on the young, this also a good WARNING sign. When a disaster, the likes of which can cripple our country, happens – it‘ll be these kids and and young adults who will not only be unable to adapt to a world without all of the advanced tech but will also be the first one’s to fall.

      Report Post »  
  • Canuck GB Fan
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:55pm

    Kids these days…..ridiculous!!!

    Report Post » Canuck GB Fan  
  • RN MOM
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:49pm

    I’d give up my sense of smell too if I were sitting next to a liberal.

    Report Post » RN MOM  
  • fitsgibbons
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:37pm

    Without smell,you lose sense of taste ,you tasteless fools…our future.

    Report Post »  
  • Galvanized
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:35pm

    I’d hate to be one of them in a house with a gas leak.

    Report Post »  
    • spirited
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:10pm

      If the ‘house is on fire’, –No worries. That’s why smoke detectors make that loud noise .

      >Youth IS wasted on the young; foolish.

      Report Post » spirited  
  • BONETRAUMA
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:35pm

    they been smellin some crack

    Report Post »  
  • parmajohn
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:31pm

    I Bet They couldn’t sew a button on Or survive a nite with no electricity……….I Pity The Fools..

    Report Post »  
  • wordweaver
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:27pm

    I think they would regret trading in their sense of smell after about ten minutes. Kids today need to strap on a backpack and hike off into the woods for about ten days, away from cell towers, electricity and wifi, just to learn how much they really ‘need’ their gadgets. I think after about day three most would experience a liberating sense of freedom from the entanglements of technology, and would begin to appreciate the beauty of nature, relish real conversations with real people, and develop a sense of self-sufficiency they didn’t know they had.

    Report Post » wordweaver  
  • N37BU6
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:24pm

    They do realize taste would go with it, right?

    Report Post » N37BU6  
  • let us prey
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:21pm

    Most of todays wasted youth would trade a parent for crystal meth too.

    Report Post » let us prey  
  • crazytalk
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:18pm

    They should probably take chinese.

    Report Post »  
  • Uncurable wound
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:16pm

    So what your saying is if we ever get hit with an EMP there will be a lot of happy people!
    Thankyou brain wash education…

    Report Post »  
  • seeker9
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:15pm

    Just goes to show, you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone. Socialists should take heed.

    Report Post » seeker9  
    • thebarbarian
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:55pm

      they don’t care. they aren’t going to loose anything everyone else is. thus the indoctrination continues.

      Report Post »  
    • seeker9
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:14pm

      I disagree somewhat. The vast majority would be worse off under socialism. The ruling elite would still be greedy, and divide wealth up among themselves and selected organizers, friends, family, etc. The biggest proponents of socialism expect to be in that elite group. The “working class” would face a very difficult time improving their status in life. Why do people think that they would be better off? The optimism of youth, the grass is always greener on the other side. The same trait that led them to vote for “hope and change”.

      Report Post » seeker9  
    • thebarbarian
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:33pm

      that’s kind of what i was getting to. think we’re actually on same page . the socialist are takers not producers . so they don’t care because we will be bearing the brunt of that nwo bs.

      Report Post »  
    • seeker9
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 12:53am

      I was just venting. I just don’t see why these socialists want to throw away the most successful form of government the world has ever known and replace it with a system that has never worked. There are never any examples or believable scenarios of what their new world would be like. People will always look out for themselves first over any collective, that includes the likes of M Moore, Pelosi, and the rest. Socialists seem to think they can dictate that human trait away.

      Report Post » seeker9  
    • thebarbarian
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 2:52am

      i understand. vent on . they deserve it.

      Report Post »  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:15pm

    Most already lost their sense of smell before they voted for Obama, …you know how he attracts flies….

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
  • Bgroovy2
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:15pm

    We’re so screwed! These are gonna be the ones who whine the most when the power goes off. Ya can’t eat your PC. Learn how to grow a tomato!

    Report Post »  
    • thebarbarian
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:09pm

      well, i don‘t think we’re screwed. they are, we can grow,fish,and hunt. they know how to panic and starve.

      thanks bgroovy2, i was getting down on the world situation but you just showed me that the leftist/lib is going to take themselves out of the equation. call it carma,reap what you sew, or Darwin award candidates , it adds up to us winning and them loosing. I appreciate the good news.

      Report Post »  
  • NeoFan
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:13pm

    Well because of government schools and bad parenting they have lost their common sense so whats the difference if they cant smell either?

    Report Post »  
    • White Ninja
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 12:44am

      So…with limited government and perfect parents we wouldn’t have the Internet and cell phones? I‘m sorry but I don’t follow your logic. I think everyone is making a way bigger deal out of this. We have to remember how much social communication is wrapped up in technology so the question is more would you surrender your sense of smell or surrender a large portion of your social life. That’s a big deal for a teen. I don‘t think it’s that outlandish for them to set more store by communicating with their friends at that age than smelling. Especially when you consider what their glands are doing at that age as well.

      Report Post » White Ninja  
    • NeoFan
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:38am

      Oh sorry, I was not applying logic. I didn’t think the article was worthy of serious thought or discussion thus my attempt at sarcasm and humor.
      So If I attempt to understand the point they are saying that teenagers would give up one of there lesser appreciated senses in favor of keeping access to technology that enables them to enjoy social interaction with other youth?
      I have two teenage boys. They really like technology. However I don’t believe they are so stupid that they would give up an important function of part of their body instead of communication with their peer group. Maybe that is why my kids don’t do drugs, drink, or worship social interaction with people that don’t give a rats a$$ about them.

      Report Post »  
    • White Ninja
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 4:03pm

      They may not be stupid enough to actually do it, I don’t think most kids really would, but how certain are you they would say they would in a survey. I think this movement needs us twenty something‘s and I don’t know how much the “dag blasted kids” mantra from pretty much all the commentators really helps that.

      Report Post » White Ninja  
    • NeoFan
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 9:33pm

      There are people that take responsibility for loving and educating there children and there are many who do not or do a poor job. The family is the foundation and building block of a good society and is under attack from every direction and from all the well intended institutions that have been taken over by progressives, liberals and misguided conservatives. Its not that I don’t feel for the kids that seek their peers approval because they never got it at home (I was one of those kids and use my parents behavior as a negative example of what not to do when raising kids). I do feel for those kids and try to support things that help to give kids lifeline that they didn’t get at home but the fact of the matter is that our country is in deep trouble and this article is just one example of a symptom not the cause.
      People repel at the example in this day but true belief in goodness and morality are needed in our society to pick up the pieces of broken families.
      Its uncool to teach things like not taking extra money from a store clerk that makes a mistake in your favor just because its wrong. These little things matter.
      Parents need to learn to apologize to their kids when they are wrong but stand up to teenage peer pressure when they are right.
      My kids have been home schooled because we have lost the fight to fix our schools.
      Its not easy. But people need to do the right thing by their kids.
      It is not the dag blasted kids. Its the dag blasted adults that are failing th

      Report Post »  
  • LastCallForEmpathy
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:13pm

    Whatever…Real dumb…the story and those who where polled…

    Report Post » LastCallForEmpathy  
    • LastCallForEmpathy
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:19pm

      i know i spelled *were* wrong…Still not as dumb as: see above…

      Report Post » LastCallForEmpathy  
    • thebarbarian
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:04pm

      the story not dumb… very enlightening. more hear than meets the eye and one could say that it does’nt pass the smell test either.

      Report Post »  
  • CaptDick
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:12pm

    Proof that half of the young people in the country are completely stupid, not ignorant, really stupid. Sense of smell = sense of taste = enjoyment for food and drink. Polls, meaningless and discouraging

    Report Post » CaptDick  
    • thebarbarian
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:53pm

      and don’t forget it is the most important in building long term relationships.

      Report Post »  
    • meamerican
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:11am

      This just in 53% of young people are brain dead!

      Future democrats!

      Report Post » meamerican  
    • The Noodle Fish
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 9:41pm

      well thanks for that. You’re a self-proclaimed dick, so I don’t need to insult you with that one… I’m 14 years old, homeschooled, technologically connected, and politically active. There are more like me. You can’t dismiss an entire generation for being different than you are. I don’t dismiss my parents, my grandparents, and my future children as being inadequate!! Every single generation is different from the previous one in radical ways. Your inability to embrace change is rather telling. It’s people like you that cause rebellious sentiments in many young people (myself not included.) Have some sense… and have some kids….

      Report Post » The Noodle Fish  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:12pm

    too bad. how tragic. obviously these spoiled self-centered self-absorbed kids are so indoctrinated they have never thought of a life outside their technology.. or what will become of them once obama shuts America’s energy sources down. coal = electricity = fuels those obama weeble plug-in electric cars …and the battery chargers ….and the machines that manufacture EVERYTHING.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:15pm

      I wonder how many of these ‘young’ people shower on a daily basis ?

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:37pm

      A lot of parents need to be kicked for letting their kid ruin their lives

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • jeffyfreezone
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:37pm

      These people have never smelled citrus blooms or puppy breath.

      Report Post »  
    • Citizen
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:44pm

      They obviously did not think this through.

      It is tied to the reasons the left uses school kids in protests and such. They take advantage of thier ignorance.

      Report Post »  
    • OlefromMN
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:44pm

      I can’t imagine the loss of one of my senses. Touch, taste, hearing, smell, and sight. I wonder how many of theses yutes have been taught what a sense is?

      Report Post » OlefromMN  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:44pm

      I have to wonder how many of these kids nowadays can even read an old fashion book and use the one thing we all do have called an “imagination.” It is by daring to imagine the impossible being made possible and real that achievements can be made, and miracles achieved.

      I feel all this tech that has been shoved in the kids way now is destroying this most valued of assets forever; how will they know what to do when the grid goes down and the batteries are gone in an emergency like so many of us have seen in the tornado and storm ravaged areas of the nation?

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • AMERICA4EVER
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:57pm

      I‘m sure most of these drones don’t even realize that 2/3′s of taste is dependent on smell. So sad that they won’t be able to taste a Big Mac!

      Report Post »  
    • MiketheTrucker
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:58pm

      What does an iPad smell like anyway?

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:01pm

      And a lot of them vote.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:04pm

      Is that the same majority of Americans that support queer marriage?

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • TumbleBumble
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:06pm

      BURNTHILLS ~

      ‘tragic’. That is the exact word that I’d use.

      JEFFYFREEZONE ~

      I love the smell of puppy breath.

      How many things do you smell and a wonderful memory comes to mind? These kids do not know what they are lacking. Let this be a lesson to parents who still have young kids. Pay attention to the things you place emphasis on.

      Report Post » TumbleBumble  
    • SHASTADIANE1
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:22pm

      My appetite is stimulated by my sense of smell. My son who is 42 always said as a child when he smelled my food cooking “Mom, that tastes so good”…he is still the same way about his Mama’s cooking and still tries to copy everything I fix…does a darn good job too…good thing since neither of his 2 wives cooked (cook) as well as he does.

      Report Post »  
    • QC Ghost
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:35pm

      Think of the money we’ll all save on deodorant…

      http://www.unsalvageable.org/ghost-comics.html

      Report Post »  
    • taxed
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:42pm

      Many of them seem to have traded their brains for technology…

      http://conservativepoliticalforum.com/index.php?board=1.0

      Report Post »  
    • White Ninja
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 12:34am

      Aren’t you all forgetting to brandish your canes and yell “get off my lawn!” at these kids too?

      Report Post » White Ninja  
    • Creestof
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:24am

      This is why they want to give Ipads to toddlers. It should be required for high schoolers to spend 1 month of their summer vacation working on a farm…so they get a feel of what the “dark ages” were like when “getting dinner” did not mean picking up the yellow pages or grabbing the car keys and heading to the nearest fast food drive thru.

      Report Post »  
    • Patrick in AZ
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 2:07am

      When their beloved technology shorts out and starts a fire, they won’t be able to smell the smoke

      Report Post » Patrick in AZ  
    • foobear
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 2:10am

      Yes, they’re all “spoiled self-centered kids”. :p

      Grow up.

      I run my own corporation, which is firmly tech-based. I love my sense of smell, but I wouldn‘t have a job if I couldn’t use a computer.

      Report Post » foobear  
    • Jediusetheforce
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 2:42am

      To the blame goes the parents and the spoils is their children. Wake Up!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 3:15am

      @White Ninja

      Get off my monitor ;-)

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 7:37am

      It shows how true ignorant these kids are if you lose you sense of smell you lose most of you sense of taste. Have these kids never tasted a medium rare T-bone perfectly seared on kingsford finest.
      I’ld trade my cell,ps3,and 65″ lcd not to lose that ability hell I’ld trade pretty much all I have .

      Report Post »  
    • BJColter Country Music Iconoclast
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 8:09am

      And Obumma’s face to appear on every cell phone and IPod. I SMELL 1984. Where‘s Hillary’s commercial when you need it? Football and beer to tame the masses while the Devil gets his due right under our noses. Here’s a tune about the way it used to be, the way it will be again.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXvRDmM5Zx4

      Report Post » BJColter Country Music Iconoclast  
    • BJColter Country Music Iconoclast
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 8:11am

      I SMELL 1984, with Obumma’s face plastered on every cell phone and IPad. Beer and football for the masses, War is Peace, Ignorance is Knowledge. Here’s a song about the way it used to be, the way it will be again.

      Report Post » BJColter Country Music Iconoclast  
    • BetsyRoss1513
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 9:29am

      And they wanna spend $25k for Ipads for kindergarteners? Pfft.

      Report Post » BetsyRoss1513  
    • jackrorabbit
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 11:23am

      We are officially DOOMED!

      Report Post »  
    • The Noodle Fish
      Posted on May 27, 2011 at 9:38pm

      I, myself, being 14 years old, took a good long look at this article, and thought hard about my own choice. Not just to be contrarian here, but I would rather keep my sense of smell. I am not willing to give up something that completes me as a human. Technology is not something to be feared, like some of you techno-phobic geezers think, (I’m being jocular, btw) Technology is an amazing human accomplishment. And accomplishment that is constantly improving. Many people, I understand, are not willing to go in a direction that they consider ‘backwards’. But… giving up a part of your humanity?

      How do I know where they sell pizza?

      Oh.. never mind.. I could just check my iPhone for a restaurant app….

      Report Post » The Noodle Fish  
    • tifosa
      Posted on May 28, 2011 at 5:37am

      hahahaha, WHITE NINJA! Gotta love how so many on the far right hate on the young people. It explains why the RW govs are working to suppress the votes from the young. btw, see all the special elections that have gone dem? Let‘s hope it’s a new day! :)

      Report Post » tifosa  
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