There is no doubt about it, social media has changed the way
we communicate and reach out to each other as a culture. There is no going back to the way things were
before cell phones, blogs, dating sites or any other form of social media. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I believe that depends on the person. I think it is up to everyone to decide on how
much they utilize the social media outlets and how much they still take the
time to use other forms of communication, such as a hand written letter or a
face to face visit.
I believe we all know those people whose cell phone or
tablet is an extension of their hand.
Who can’t go anywhere without their electronics so they can always be
connected. They are constantly blogging,
posting, commenting or texting. Their
phones, tablets or computers are communicating for them. There is no intimacy with those people. They are so involved with their electronic
communication that they forget about the personal communication happening right
in front of them.
There are also those people who have various types of social
media such as: a cell phone, a Facebook page and a personal blog, but yet still
find the time to send you a card in the mail on your birthday; instead of
sending an electronic card and posting it on your social media site. They are the ones who still take the time to
pick up the phone and call you instead of sending a short text message. These people I find are the ones who
appreciate the art of communicating. They
realize that the world is rapidly changing around them but they still want to
hold onto a communication style that is still intimate and keeps people in
touch with out using social media. They
still appreciate the social media outlets, but also realize there are other
ways to communicate.
Social media is an ever changing medium. There are new forms coming about
everyday. It is up to each of us to
realize that we can still communicate in an intimate way but still use the
electronic communication that is out there.
These are great points. I enjoy my social media and my phone when I am bored and trying to waste time. In the recent years I have tried hard to not be attached to my phone especially when I am out to dinner with my family or friends. I believe communication is so important these day. I am taking a class where one of our assignments is going to a cafe downtown and talk for an hour, to see how well we truly communicate with another, which I believe is a great assignment. When my parents, grandparents, or close friend has a birthday I much rather call and/or send a card to them rather than texting them because it means more.
ReplyDeleteI often yell at my friends if they are glued to their phones when we are in a bar. I tell them we are overpaying for booze so we can socialize with others. I do agree that many of those little things like letter writing is still cherished by many. I still hold on to the postcard my father sent me the day before he died and have letters from my first girlfriend when she was at summer camp. I also agree with you that we should find a way to personalize our interactions, there is no need for them to be so detached.
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