So we have all seen it; people who cannot stop texting, people who never log off their computers, and friends who check Facebook every free minute they have. People rely so heavily on technology for "human interaction." Anyone can log onto a computer and create an account on a dating website, or they can make long lasting friendships on networking sites. Every time people get together someone has their phone out texting, talking, surfing the Internet. Can we no longer enjoy the people with us physically? Or must we find connections through a screen? I believe technology is hurting communication in America. There are many people who do not know when to put it away.
It used to be that adults yelled at their children for having their phones at the dinner table, now parents even have their phones out during family time. Teenagers have been seen texting in church and the occasional adult leaves for an emergency phone call. Now I am not saying cell phones are all together a horrible thing. Doctors have them in case a patient needs to contact them quickly. Ask people if they would live without their cell phone or hot water for one week, many would probably give up the hot water.
Their is actually a program in which an adult can record themselves reading a book and put it in an mp3 format so that their child can listen to them read at any time. I understand if a parent is separated by a long distance and wants their child to hear their voice, but there are workaholic parents who would rather record themselves than actually put the work away for twenty minutes to read to their child. Schools do everything online. Announcements are posted online and updated frequently, but for the people who don't log onto their computers hourly these may be missed. If it is not announced at the beginning of the school day I have no idea what is going on. When a college posts things online it is understandable because there are hundreds or thousands of students, but when a school holding less than 150 students posts everything online and doesn't always announce things, that is crazy.
Many people say the Internet is more convenient. You can pay bills online, grocery shop, Christmas shop, fall in love, find friends. Really? It takes ten minutes tops, to go inside the post office, buy stamps, place them on the envelopes, and drop them in a mailbox. You may even have to talk to postman, but it is so sad that people honestly cannot take the time to do that simple chore. The Internet has the possibility to make someone a shut in! You can order groceries online and have them delivered to your front door! If you want to meet people go to a club, go to church, go outside of your house! Where do we draw the line between convenience and avoidance?
My main point is that people should not rely on the Internet to meet people or avoid actual interaction. Don't use your phone constantly, you may miss the good times around you. Hopefully when we grow up and have families we can take time and read to our children.
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The only problem with this post is that it mysteriously assumes that face-to-face communication and interaction is somehow better than long-distance interaction via phone or internet. To be a devil's advocate here, what is it about face-to-face interaction that is better? What is wrong with being a shut-in? I know we all want to say "well of course there is a problem with that!" but if we can't pinpoint what that problem actually is, then we will sound pretty silly.
ReplyDeleteLet's help Whitney out here, because I think this author is really fantastic for dealing with what will undoubtedly be one of the major issues of our future lives. What is it about personal interaction, as opposed to telecommunication, that is superior?
I agree that shouldn't rely too heavily on the internet.
ReplyDeleteI thought this post was really good. It is quite sad that face to face communication is being replaced by technology.
ReplyDeleteI agree to this post to an extent, i believe technology is very effective for communication and has improved our day to day lives making many things easier by being able to send a text or email, calling someone, or looking resources up online. But i understand the evil to the technology also, we need to learn the happy medium such as putting the phone away while with other friends or at family functions.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that technology is entirely bad. I think we must find a happy medium between face-to-face interaction and communication using technology. Face-to-face communication is more effective because it involves facial expressions, emotion, and gestures. It serves as a more effective way to communicate. I do think that we need to cut back on the texting as it can be very rude!
ReplyDeleteI think that technology is nice, because we can constantly communicate with each other easily, but sometimes it does distract us and we avoid other important things, like having a real discussion or giving our complete attention to someone.
ReplyDeleteI thought this brought up a few interesting points. The thing is though, some people are afraid of face-to-face meetings. There are even phobias of being in social situations in public (http://www.severe-social-anxiety.com/). What about the people who have illnesses like that, for whom the only "safe" way to meet people is over anonymous communications?
ReplyDeleteHm. Is it possible that similarly, there are people with phobias of technological communication as well? Perhaps this is a "whatever suits you best" issue...
ReplyDeleteI do think people today rely on the internet to much, but some people NEED to use the internet like Longfellow commented.
ReplyDeleteI don't think technology is a bad way of communication. But, I do agree that people should be able to talk to other people face-to-face. We can use our technology to communicate, but we should cherish the time we have with our friends and family and put our cell phones or other forms of technology away.
ReplyDeleteWell, im making this comment as i am texting my girlfriend, and the other tab open on my computer is facebook, but i do agree. however, i see technology as a great thing when it comes to reaching people you met in realy life and talking to them more often (using nonpersonal communication when personal is not possible),which will strengthen relationships.
ReplyDeleteYes this is a very big problem in our society today and i wish it was not like this.
ReplyDeleteMorrison said it, and it's a problem. People are becoming so anti-social because of technology. Almost every relationship these days starts with texting, talking on the internet, ect.
ReplyDeleteThe only sad thing is that this is what the world is coming to. Look at all the technology being created to just have social networking without physical interaction. It's up to us consumers to "go out and meet people."
ReplyDeleteFinally someone who understands that txting isn't the only way to communicate. now if we could only create a device quicker than txting that could allow us to talk to each other.
ReplyDeleteGood point. But like Grisham brefiely stated 'It's up to us consumers to "go out and meet people."' It all comes down to how lazy people are.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post, technology is ruining face-to-face communication.
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