“The alarm is repetitive: something is happening now to rend apart the supposedly supportive, fulfilling bonds of the olden days—although in every generation the alarmists keep looking back approvingly to the previous generation” (Networked, Ch. 5).
We’re all heard it before. It’s that age-old warning that the latest greatest thing—whatever it may be—will, in fact, be the last greatest thing, because the newfangled contraption will inevitably spell the end of civilization. So, in their book entitled, Networked: The New Social Operating System, Lee Rainie & Barry Wellman take it upon themselves to reassure us that, in fact, technology simply represents ways in we’ve changed the way we interact with one another. “People are not hooked on gadgets,” they argue, “they are hooked on each other” (Networked, Ch. 1). I agree, but that’s not to say that naysayers don’t have a point. Later on in their introductory chapter, the pair give their answer to the question on all of our minds, “So, is all of this technology good or bad?” “The simple answer is: both and more,” they say. “Networked individuals live in an environment that tests their capacities to deal with each other and with information.”
As a “Networked individual,” that happens to be exactly how I view my own interaction with technology—it’s a test. Lately, I’ve started to become more and more interested in Instagram. However, as I’ve become enamored with browsing through the seemingly endless supply of artwork other users have created, and creating some of my own, I’ve found that it’s more challenging to be fully present, if you will, with my friends and loved ones. In fact, it’s even more of a challenge for them at times than it is for me. Before I know it, I can miss the punch line of my friend’s story, or my girlfriend and I might spend thirty minutes of our dinner together browsing through social media. But, that doesn’t make those media bad, it presents us with a challenge. Like the family in the radio interview, some of us set technology aside for the weekend. Others of us simply make smartphones dinner table contraband. Whatever our various strategies might be, the point is to have one. We don’t need to condemn technology. We just need to praise balance.
I completely agree with your post. It is a huge challenge to balance technology with real life relationships, and I have honestly missed out on some great bonding moments because I was so sucked into my Facebook newsfeed, or checking out people’s Instagrams. I was so busy looking at pictures of other people’s lives that I forgot to actually watch my own take place. I see so many people (especially moms at their daughter’s wedding) so consumed with getting a great image for Instagram that they are completely detached from the moment. I’m their photographer, and my job is to capture that image so mom can help her daughter put on her veil, instead of taking a picture of it.
Balance is a good message. I feel like the mobility of smartphones is still new for many of us, and we aren’t doing a great job of practicing moderation with them. Hopefully over the next few years we won’t mind putting the phone aside during quality time with the people in our lives. However, there are a lot of social events in my life centered around TV like watch parties for big sports games or a show’s season premier, so maybe it will become so ingrained in our socializing, we will actually plan our socializing around it. Only the future will tell.
I like your point about having a strategy. I think that’s one of the things that gets missed in the fears and myths about technology – people forget that they have agency. You own the tech, the tech doesn’t own you. Nice post!
Balance is the key! I feel that people can let technology take over their social relationships. My grandmother is 87 years old and she takes the time everymonth to write me a small note in a card. When I receive her card in the mail I feel more of a connection than if I read a post online or see a photo on instagram.
Great message to have a strategy and balance.
I agree with your statement about balance. It is necessary to figure out your own way to manage your technology use so that you don’t become overwhelmed with technology and feel as though it’s detrimental to you and others. Technology is great and it should not be feared.
I have to agree with the others who have commented before me, and say balance is the key to a healthy relationship with the internet! I think the internet can become an addiction for people just as easily as gambling can, and people have to be very aware of how much time they are spending online vs. offline. I absolutely cannot stand people who are on Instagram or Facebook while I am at dinner with them. If you didn’t want to participate, then you shouldn’t have come. People have to find a way to balance their social media with their actual social life. Very interesting post.