Saturday, October 10, 2009
Does Technology = Isolation?
Americans are more isolated today due to technology. With text messaging, email and numerous social networking sites you can keep in touch with friends and make new ones without ever having to come in contact with people. Technology allows you to be whoever you want - a new and improved version of yourself, if you desire. You are able to link up, have discussions and play games with people in different states or different countries without ever having to reveal yourself. With busy lives full of work and numerous activities it is easy to lose personal contact. Too much technology is an issue to be concerned about because you are depriving yourself of really being part of a group and functioning effectively in a group dynamic. You lose a sense of belonging and have no close personal ties. While technology allows you to reach out to others who share the same ideas and hobbies it eliminates the personal interaction and meaningful relationships that can only be built through face to face contact and by becoming emotionally invested in someone.
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(I just wrote a comment on Gioia's blog on technology in which she said similar things to what you wrote here. I hope I don't repeat myself too much.)
ReplyDeleteI think meaningful connections can be made online. I don't want to be totally cut off from physical human contact but I can communicate so much better through the keyboard than my mouth. I don't feel deprived. I don't feel like I am "functioning effectively in a group dynamic" but I don't feel that way offline either, I find group interactions confusing.
I suppose I've taken both your post and Gioia's post too personally but I feel the need to defend the way I prefer to interact. I don't think either form of interaction is better - online or face-to-face. I think what matters is what is best for each individual.