I now am connected to lots of people virtually that I havent seen in reality for a lot of years. It is pretty cool I must admit and a neat way to communicate even though for me it stresses that whole thing of "the more connected we become in the electronic world the further we are apart in the real world" thing that I have been thinking about a lot lately.
The ultimate irony of all this connectivity is that it does affect how we communicate. People go out for dinner with each other, only to talk on cell phones. Rather than focusing in class they are texting one another, it feels like the more we have access to this stuff the less we are living in the moment and being with the people we are actually with. Now obviously this isnt everybody, but I do see it a lot when I am out and about. I can't complain to much because that same technology has helped me stay in touch with friends through Xbox and we can play just like we used to minus the physical presence, it's more that I notice stuff like this when I am out with Candace at the mall and other places that I see people glued to their phones. Eh whatever... I have to go check my facebook now...
4 comments:
"with the advent of telephones we will lose the charm of the handwritten letter"
Not a real quote, but I'm sure a lot of people may have felt this way.
The problem these days isnt the new technology, it's the rate with which we're getting this new technology. We're not being given sufficient time to adjust as a society to the newest forms of communication. As such ettiquette is not being developed (as well as proper english).
If we were more used to being always connected, we wouldn't feel the need to answer our cell phones every time they ring, or respond to the text messages the second they are sent...
Or at elast thats my theory
I also believe we are created to be in community with one another. If new technology helps us to achieve that great! However, as you point out with the mall/cell phone example, were we created to be constantly doing more than one thing at a time? Can we really enjoy being 'in the moment' with our friends and family with all the distractions technology affords us? Are we missing out on opportunities to develop deep bonds with loved ones and settling for superficial ones with numerous acquaintances? It seems all the over-stimulation that technology affords can leave us breathless and addicted to seeking even more stimulation. On a spiritual level, how do we turn off all the exterior 'chatter' to focus on God and totally commune with Him? If He's not phoning or texting us, do we hear Him?
That's my rant for today from the fogey (or should we make that foggy) generation?
Mum's the word.
I've received more emails from facebook in the last two weeks than I've received from real people in the last two months...
That being said. I love my facebook!
What I find ironic is that in a time when there's a glut of methods to contact someone (cellular phone, text, home phone, cellular voice mail, home voice mail, email, blog, Facebook, plain old messages left with real people) it's just not any easier to contact many people.
And when there's so many ways to contact people, and they don't reply, it's very awkward. It's awkward if you're calling them because you begin to feel like a stalker. It's awkward for them because they know they've received one or more messages, haven't responded, and now don't know what to do.
Clearly there's a need for Miss Manners to set down some guidelines or (better yet) for the Seinfeld gang to reunite long enough to effortlessly lay down the law. Remember how George had an answer for every social question? He knew exactly how long you had to leave a greeting card visible in your home. I seem to recall it was about two weeks, unless....
No, I guess I don't remember.
Rob
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