Some people who are more expert in the field of online communication than I will ever be, have expressed thoughts on the ever-evolving world of cyber connections.
Columnist Gwyn Morgan, for instance, provided substance for consideration that I feel deserved to be passed along to you, dear diary.
Morgan feared too many young Canadians were becoming mere cursory readers. Their world of reading and education was becoming one of hurried and distracted thinking. That situation, in turn, influenced their ability to problem solve, develop strategic plans or get into disciplined time management. In other words, a “do it now, even if we don’t know exactly what we’re doing,” is how many currently think.
Joe Kraus, a partner in Google Venture concerns himself with gap times. He has expressed concerns about the fact that young communicators are working within a culture of constant distractions and are frequently disconnecting from people and events that are right around them.
MIT’s Sherry Turkle, issued warnings about companionship.
“Twitter, Facebook, Snapchats are not friendships,” she cited.
Our Smart phones should not be taking precedent over people, but in the new reality, they are. How often have you seen people texting or tweeting one another and they’re only yards apart, or in adjoining rooms. It sounds stupid, but some people feel more comfortable being engaged in non-engagement.
This illusion of companionship worries Turkle.
What we are now developing in our human experience, is a large cadre of young people who are bright, but awkward … kids who are deficient in teamwork or have no idea of customer interactions or what true friendships really are. They won’t know how to hug, unless someone develops an app for it.
Distracted people simply can’t carry out real contemplation and therefore are incapable of formulating plans.
The gap time that Morgan alluded to is Twitter time, not thinking time or real game time.
They get to play imaginary games, while the real game of life, happens without them. I guess what they’re saying is a reworking of the old mantra that “life is passing you by,” only this time and in this generation, they don’t know it, or don’t really care.
Fifty years from now they’ll be perched in their rocking or wheel chairs cuddling the newest app or Xbox 49, instead of a living, breathing cat, dog or grandkid.
In fact, this disconnect is becoming so alarming said these experts, they figure very soon there will be a need for Internet withdrawal retreats and detox centres where those being admitted will have to withstand the physical pain of having to live one day at a time without a Smart phone, iPad, or other communication device. They will have to project their own voice carrying their own self-made thoughts and self-computed plans. It will be a scary thing for them. Just like withdrawing from booze, cigarettes or drugs, the Internet withdrawal will be painful, but necessary for those who are addicted.
Unfortunately I learned how to hug late in life, so I’m on a mission to make up for lost time. Besides I keep losing my Smart phone in the office so I end up using the other one with those long kinky wires because I can’t always find the tiny one. The Smart phone, I hear, but too often, don’t see. I like to think, therefore, I’m ahead of my time. No withdrawal pain.
