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Technology has traditionally been created to give us more time. Thank goodness someone invented the wheel. Cars, boats and aeroplanes have greatly assisted us with travel and they do save us a lot of time getting from place to place (provided you aren't sitting in traffic). Once personal computers were invented we suddenly had new ways of doing the old ways more efficiently. Email revolutionised the way we communicate with family, friends and work. Social Media has now taken over the way we communicate in an online capacity and we as humans seem to be forever chasing our tails to find the new and latest thing. So in all of this are we any more connected to the people we love, share our lives with or work with?
15 year old Blake Seitz sums is all up, "Why talk to someone face to face when you can just write them an email? Communication is key to relationships, and relationships are key to life."
"Multitasking is another problem. Listening to your friend while tapping out a text message, reading an instant message, and listening to music—in my opinion, that’s a recipe for relationship disaster."
Mmmm... Clearly this 15 year old has some sense that relationships need to be maintained with a level of engagement that goes beyond technology. Surely there has to be a balance between how much we use technology to make our lives easier and how much it becomes the focus of our lives. Clearly we all have a rational head in our brains somewhere and you cant blame technology for all ones relationship problems. Having a chat with a friend over a nice cup of coffee or tea just can't be replaced with technology. There must be balance in the force!
So next time you feel that technology is taking over your life stop and phone a friend and organise a face to face catch up and have a laugh together.
Until next week,
K
Okay, here's a "wonder out loud" question for you... is it possible that the level of connectedness we have as a result of technology hasn't really changed, only the way it looks? As a "people person" I reckon I communicate more widely and more often to more people as a result of technology, but I also see people face to face all the time too. But I can also see that those who are more introverted might just use technology as an escape. Is it possible that technology is only a different observable way of engaging or not...??? Look at pictures of people in days gone by hiding themselves in a newspaper for example... what do you think?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. Technology can allow a more introverted person a greater 'voice' as such but it also allows for sadists to flourish. http://arstechnica.com/science/2014/02/science-confirms-online-trolls-are-horrible-people-also-sadists/ I think that people really need to be educated on how they use technology and why they are using it. There will always be a strong desire for people to feel connected. It is part of who we are as humans and if technology enables that then I can see it as a good thing. There can be no replacement for real human contact and whilst connecting with others online is great I think there needs to be a balance between our online world and the day to day world we live in with people we can see and touch.
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