Too Much Technology
We are in a tech world, there is no denying that. What used to be daily seclusion and interpersonal connecting has now become a thing of the past. Even for those of you that pride themselves on not giving into the smart phones and social media apps are still caught up in technology. You still converse online with people from all over the world all from the comforts of your home. Without this tech dependent world that exists I would not know any of you, so for that I am grateful. My gripe, however, is that we can no longer disconnect even when we want to. Every restaurant and coffee shop has TV screens on every wall and on different channels. I understand that the younger generations do not know any different so I give them an allowance, to an extent, but why is there a need to watch TV when you are dining out with those closest to you? For me going to a restaurant is a nice treat to sit across from the one you love, or your closest friend, and really connect without outside distractions. Am I old fashioned? Maybe, but I miss quiet dinners of the days gone by.
It has only taken 17 years for technology to engulf our every day, can you imagine what it will be like in another 10 years? There will probably be an app that allows you to talk to your partner who is next to you, without ever making eye contact or engaging in the relationship. It is disheartening and I must say, I do not like it.
Our future generations won’t know what it is like to meet a girl and stumble over his words and the lady won’t know what it is like to smile and respond with a shyness about her. They will do it all through whatever smart technology they have at their fingertips.
We can stop this if we would just put our phones down after hours and not get distracted. If phones are no longer allowed at the dinner table and the TV is turned off until after 8pm. Or, if families started enjoying the beautiful state parks and local attractions instead of having the latest game console to occupy the kids on the weekends and through the summers. Am I being naive? Maybe. What I do know is that when I was a kid my days were spent outside playing catch, or shooting hoops. Maybe lying on the soft grass and daydreaming in the clouds. If it was a rainy day I would sit in my room staring out the window enjoying the anger that Mother Nature wreaks on us, or reading a book. When dinner was on the table we sat as a family, whether we wanted to or not, and the TV was NEVER on. I realize not everyone had that childhood, we all have our own stories, but technology has taken a sweetness away from relationships, if you ask me; it is sad.
6 Comments
hmfast
I’m at an age where I’m old enough to remember the days before the rise of cellphones, social media, and the internet in general, but still young enough that I adapted easily (myspace came out my senior year in high school). honestly it came at a good time for me since It gives me a chance to socialize when I’m pretty much a hermit (I was like this long before it was even an option to chat online).
I don’t think irl social interaction will die off anytime soon because there’s still unique experiences that can’t be replicated digitally. you can set up cameras and mics so you can see and hear the other person, but it still wouldn’t be the same as say watching a movie on the couch.
I will go as far to say, I hate when people are texting, chatting, whatever on a cellphone or tablet when you’re talking to them.
lonestarangel
I do not remember when social media first came out, but I am certain it was after I graduated H.S. I remember the cell phones in a brief case or the original car phone and now everyone, even 8 year olds, have a cell phone.
I don’t think irl interactions will die off in this decade, but we are approaching the extinction of interpersonal relationships with each new generation. If you think about it, those 8 year olds that have cell phones are growing up in an app crazed era. Their children in twenty years will only know how to communicate through apps. Now, this is only my observation and strong opinion, but I do believe it is right. LOL.
Thank you for contributing to this post!
dwwindsor
There are three things your blog bring to my mind with respect to the technology impacts you have described.
Prior to the advent of cell phones a staple scene in many movies was the young couple looking across the restaurant at the older married couple who would be sitting glum and silent as they picked through their food. The young couple would look aghast at this and breathlessly ask, “Will that be is some day?” I do not hold that movies describe all life very well but I had from time to time seen this scene, of the glum silent couple enacted before my eyes. Now it is accentuated by the presence of
electronic devices. They may not be so glum. Their device may make them quite animated, yet they still do not speak to each other. Technology or just age old scenes being played over and over?
The omnipresent TV screens are not such a new nuisance for me, but a variation on a long-standing nuisance. My previous beef (pardon the food almost pun) was the volume at which really bad music was played to the point where it distracted from thoughtful conversation. So, I am not sure TV screens are worse, but they are certainly not an improvement.
My last thought is tangential to what you have written but of deep concern to me. Technology has greatly sped up the means of communication to the point that speed of transmission has become an end into itself. Though speed (really bandwidth as actual latency of the signal is insignificant) is good for streaming a movie or music but when applied to person to person or person to group communications it is no blessing. This is why. With expectations of speed being what they are the demand for an instant response has become ever-present. How often has someone in the business world heard, “Why have you not responded to my email yet?” The result is speed trumping thoughtfulness. In my field, I have seen a continuous degradation of intellectual thought replaced by speed of communication, even though what is communicated is not worth very much.
I agree with you whole heartedly that sometimes the best thing to do is just take a walk outside, look up at a deep blue sky flecked with lacy clouds and watch a bird fly, or listen to the sounds of life carrying on around us, heedless of modern technology, as they have for eons out of memory.
hmfast
bad music reminds me that a new place in town decided to blare it’s music outside in order to attract customers inside…I’ve vowed never to step foot in there for this reason alone.
lonestarangel
I will never understand this tactic. That would be reason number one for me to never give them my business.
lonestarangel
You do make a great point! I have seen many couples dining out, never speaking to each other and having a look of glum about them. You have to wonder what their life together has experienced to tear them apart. Maybe it was a natural growth that happened over the years and they don’t even realize it, or it could be one tragic event that happened over night, but they are resigned to staying together. It is sad to see, I must admit. It takes a lot of work from both people to truly stay connected and get through the hard times; it is lonely when that does not happen.
My biggest complaint about live music in restaurants is that it is like eating at a dance hall. Music that is played where people are dining should be background noise, to set the mood, not to cause silence between the people or a shouting match to be heard. It ruins a good meal and I would rather not give them my patronage again if that is the case. Austin is known for its live music and most restaurants have a band. It is impossible to enjoy dinner when you are forced to listen to music that you would not yourself choose on purpose. I love a piano playing in the background or a saxophone, but there is no need for the loud boom of clattering voices screaming into the mic while I am eating a ribeye. lol.
Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this post. I appreciate that!