The way the world is shaped today, it is not surprising to find out that people really have becomed wrapped up in so much technology. I admit that I text, email, facebook and other socializing via technology a lot. What I have learned is that most people (like myself) really cannot go a full day without some type of electronic communication. Personally, I have done it before and it was kind of bad because I felt like I had no source of communication. Most relationships with families, friends, etc. sometimes rely on text messages or email which is not a bad thing but it also pushes us away from little things like face to face conversations. The message that received from both of the studies is that regardless of who you are, you are someone in technology communication. Even the most annexed people who claim to not have any friends seem to chat online with people they know or have gotten to know via social networking. The readings with Baym and Raine & wellman helped me realize that yes our society has a major issue with old fashioned communication. I asked my sister what would she do without her cell phone or laptop for a week and she responded “Honestly, I would die.” This worried me because as a kid a lot of us did not have computers or cell phones, therefore we relied on regular home phones and face to face chats with friends and family. Being a networked individual I have become accustomed to keeping up with personal and business individuals on the internet, but it would not be a death warrant if I did not have technology for a few days. People really have to make some changes about consuming their lives with technology because sooner or later the generations to come are not going to know what a regular paper back book is due to computers and tablets taking their places. Internet technology is definitely not a bad thing, it’s how people take advantage of it and do not know how to have just a regular in person conversation.
5 thoughts on “Shasta’s Blog #6”
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I enjoyed your post because it is so honest. So do you think that CMC enhance face-to-face communication? I agree that unless we change the generation to come will lose out on some things that we consider to be great.
I agree with you that if someone didn’t have his or her cell phone or laptop for few days it won’t be a disaster. We should be more reasonable and know how to control our devices. After all these technologies are made for us to benefit from it not to get addicted and loose control in how to use it. I also think that if we can and have the time nothing can replace a face-to-face conversation where you can see the facial expressions and feel that you are talking to a real person not to your machine.
Confession! I left my cellphone at home yesterday and the same urgency came over me! I am attatched to my cell phone more than any other technology tool. The reason is I can get my email, phone calls, social network fix, photos, etc. in one place.
I do not literaly think I will “die” without it but I sure panic when I don’t have access to these things.
One friday morning a couple a weeks ago I too left my phone at home and didn’t realize that until half way to school. I started to panic once i got to class i realized i was in a video editing lab on a Mac accessible to the internet. Just knowing that i had that access filled the void of my smartphone.
There is no way I could leave my cell phone at home for a day if I left my house. For me, it is a safety concern. If I am by myself, there’s always a chance I could break down or that something bad could happen. If I didn’t have my cell phone, I wouldn’t be able to call anyone for help.