Are people getting less patient due to technological progress?
By Anish Asokan
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
India
February 16, 2025 6:29am CST
Technology has caused more disruptions in our lives in last few years compared to the decades before. We have instant messaging, fast deliveries, on demand streaming of TV channels today. We also have the smartphones and social media with more engaging apps and content. With all of these, perhaps the tolerance for delays is currently become unbearable for some if not all.
In my city, the online delivery services have started the 10-minute delivery. So, once ordered, the order will be at the doorsteps in 10 minutes. I do see people getting impatient even if there is 5-minute delay. I also see the job seekers expecting rapid responses from employers as well as students getting frustrated with delay in quick online searches. I personally feel, technological progress has reduced the ability to wait for most people.
Patience is a great skill but technology is conditioning people to expect immediate results. What’s your opinion?
7 people like this
8 responses
@DaddyEvil (146403)
• United States
16 Feb
Most people were never very patient but, I can see technology making some even less patient than they were before.
In small towns and cities, we don't have the same things people in bigger cities have. No 10 minute deliveries (Most small cities and towns don't have delivery services in the US.), there were and are never fast responses for job seekers and the internet can only do so much. How fast the search goes depends on how much you're willing to pay for a faster computer, faster internet and the availability of the search engine to find what you want.
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
19 Feb
10 minute delivery failed in US due to cost involved and labour. It is cheap and labour is plenty. Well definitely technology is making people less patient as most things are served to them right at their doorstep!
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (146403)
• United States
19 Feb
@RevivedWarrior Yes, in big cities that is true. Labor isn't cheap here and people aren't interested in low pay jobs. Maybe when robots take over doing low pay jobs then the US will have things like that.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47734)
• India
16 Feb
Well, the widespread use of Technology is fine.
Yet, spread without checks and controls and well, that means it is in the unlimited domain.
So when we have something readily available and easy to use, we end up taking things for guranteed.
That is why people are so impatient about Food Online Delivery, Eating at Restaurants, Waiting for shopkeepers to fulfill their requests or so on.
I would also add that social media stuff like Instagram Reels and YT Shorts are also responsible for shortening our attention spans and making us impatient.
I avoid both the above mentioned stuff and I think it makes me feel much better.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
19 Feb
You are right- when we take things for granted , we get impatient.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
19 Feb
Exactly- I too skip the song if i do not want to , something not possible some years ago!
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2314)
•
16 Feb
Yeah, the funny thing is that I notice impatience the most among people who have lived most of their lives without technology. Apparently it takes a few minutes to develop such impatience.
Well, I might be biased because I expect younger people to be impatient in general, no matter if they were born and raised into technology. 
Well, I might be biased because I expect younger people to be impatient in general, no matter if they were born and raised into technology. 1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
19 Feb
Technology has made many impatient. Most are used to , having instant gratification. It is tough for some , not all things can be instantly served!
1 person likes this
@Candybee (89)
• South Africa
16 Feb
Tech is taking over now people order or do most of things online they no longer want to go out and buy groceries in store, I think the reason of impatient when using online is the habit of constantly ordering things online and for my side tech is growing forward with new tools.
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
19 Feb
Wel, things are getting instantly served online thanks to technology. Hence we tend to get impatient
@RebeccasFarm (94060)
• Arvada, Colorado
16 Feb
I think I am getting less patient due to poverty..things so expensive despite technology.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
19 Feb
Apart technology , inflation and challenges are exponentially higher. That too can contribute to impatience!
