Staying connected 24/7 seems to be the Holy Grail of technology today. Cell phones, Blackberry's, Treo's, iPods, laptops and WiFi all combine to "enable" us to have access to anyone, have access to all information, anywhere, anytime. And I don't use the word "enable" lightly! This is an addiction!
Having been exposed to a number of teenagers, I have seen certain individuals who are connected every waking hour. The ultimate irony is to see a group of friends together in a restaurant where everyone at the table is texting, listeing to music, or talking on their cell phone to someone who is not at the table. How connected are they--really?
Any device is a poor substitute for face to face communication. Yet face to face communication is growing more uncommon every day. Interrupting is commonly thought of as rude behavior, but so many of us have been in the middle of a face to face, only to be interrupted by the other person taking a mindless cell phone call or text message. I acutally know people who are
easier to communicate with by text or email than by face to face because they have simply lost the abiltiy to effectively communicate in person.
The more we become connected, the more it seems we are becoming disconnected. If this bothers you, try turning off your cell phone when you are with your friends and family. (And I don't mean to turn it on "vibrate!") Let any callers leave a message. You can always call back
later after you have had some genuine, face to face, communication--in person.
Having been exposed to a number of teenagers, I have seen certain individuals who are connected every waking hour. The ultimate irony is to see a group of friends together in a restaurant where everyone at the table is texting, listeing to music, or talking on their cell phone to someone who is not at the table. How connected are they--really?
Any device is a poor substitute for face to face communication. Yet face to face communication is growing more uncommon every day. Interrupting is commonly thought of as rude behavior, but so many of us have been in the middle of a face to face, only to be interrupted by the other person taking a mindless cell phone call or text message. I acutally know people who are
easier to communicate with by text or email than by face to face because they have simply lost the abiltiy to effectively communicate in person.
The more we become connected, the more it seems we are becoming disconnected. If this bothers you, try turning off your cell phone when you are with your friends and family. (And I don't mean to turn it on "vibrate!") Let any callers leave a message. You can always call back
later after you have had some genuine, face to face, communication--in person.
Labels: cell phones, email, text messaging
