September 3, 2009
In today’s world, where can we go without seeing the thumbs of everyone around us typing madly away on the newest iPhone or blackberry? As a college student surrounded by people as well as the latest technology, I begin to wonder while eyeing the boys and girls attached to their phones as I walk across campus, is there a growing gap between genuine communication and our generation?
Fifty years ago, if conversation did not take place face to face, letters or even telegrams were sent to convey a message. Now, a letter is a last means of communication, and even phone calls are beginning to become things of the past due to the immense popularity of texting, Twitter, and Facebook. Telling a story through text message, or learning of someone’s activities from his or her recent posts on Twitter, the aspect of personal contact becomes lost, as text simply cannot replace the intimacy of human conversation. Though all of these methods of communication are illustrations of the increasingly improving technology of today, isn’t there still a lacking element when it comes to the way we communicate with one another?
Audrey, you couldn't have said it better. You'd think that there'd be a time or a place at some point during the day that texting would cease. But EVERYWHERE I go I hear, see, or feel the vibration of a text. When I'm trying to sleep I can hear every letter my roommate types on her Iphone. When I walk to classes it's a rare occurrence to see another student without a phone in hand. Facebook is on nine out of ten laptop screens that I see in lecture halls. It's insanity! But at the same time it's all somehow a normal part of our generation's lives...
ReplyDeleteAudrey, my parents agree that technology is taking over the world they use to know. But for me, I think texting has given us just another way to communicate. It’s an easier way to ask a question or just send a quick message; but it’s the fastest way to get in touch with someone. I find that the best and fastest way for me to tell someone something that’s short and important. If I don't want to have a full conversation, I can just send someone a quick text and that’ll be it. That doesn’t mean that we have less of a relationship because I send them a quick note. If I want to have a meaningful conversation I will call the person, or try to find them personally. But sometimes that’s hard and you have to send a message through texts and that doesn’t make the message less meaningful or make the relationship less personal; it just gives the information in a quicker way.
ReplyDeleteGood post. Good question. What is the element that is lacking? What is the difference between giving each other information and having what might be classified as real "conversation"? Ciara's comment describes a generation too busy texting to even think.
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