Sometimes I just have to take a step back and wonder what has happened to this world. Things have changed, and not in a good way. (If you go to the same college as me, hang in there-- this is going to sound a lot like a humanities course-- but you will be able to understand it! And there is a valid point behind it all; as much as I hate humanities like the rest of you, there is some truth behind those readings that leave me more confused than if I wouldn't have read it at all).
What happened to society? Was it Nokia that started it all? Or was it manageable until Apple made their pretty little heads known?
We have went from spending time with others to making it a point to ignore others. We hide behind our computer screens or our smart phones-- constantly connected, but never in relationship.
When did we get to this point? How did we get to this point?
I'm not saying that I am different from the majority-- I mean even now I am sitting in a room with other people, laptop open, both headphones in, and Spotify playing. I am not immune to this fad of autonomy and individualism, but I do try to still take time to foster relationships.
We, as humans, were made for living in relationship with others. We are supposed to do life TOGETHER, not BESIDE each other. We are "talking" to everyone except for the people we are physically with. The majority of those in our society cannot go more than 10 minutes without checking their phone, and less than 5 without it. We are addicted to technology and it has split us in more ways than just having real conversations-- you are either an Apple fan or you are team android and people usually know where you stand because it can lead to arguments.
We are so far gone that we argue over cell phone and laptop brands.
When we do not answer someone's text or Facebook message within a few minutes they either get angry or start to panic. And now you know when someone read or saw your message via Facebook or your iMessage.
While I am at college, I love to write letters! I love to send others some encouragement, it is one of the things that makes me that happiest. But I also like to receive mail. It used to be that you sent a letter and someone took time out of their day to reply. But in today's time I cannot tell you how many times I have gotten a text or Facebook message saying thank you instead of a return letter. I don't know it could just be the old soul in me, but I enjoy sending letter back and forth. It gives the words a little bit more excitement.
Or it used to be that when you had a conversation with someone you were only with them. Now you are having a conversation with them and the 6 people they are messaging. How many times have you tried to have quality time with a friend and they are looking at their phone more than they are looking at you-- or you are talking to them and they can barely look up to answer you. I know for me it discourages me a little bit. I feel like i should just stop having that conversation because they clearly have something/ someone better to do/ talk to... This is something that I try my hardest not to do. If I am having quality time with someone, I will often lay my phone on the table with the screen facing up so that I can see it in case of an emergency, but rarely do I ever touch it. I enjoy to give the person I am with all of the attention. Giving them eye contact so that they know that I am listening.
I want to challenge you. The next time you are having a conversation with someone, try not to be staring at your phone-- I can almost guarantee that the person texting you will still be there when you are done, and that your conversation with the person you are WITH will be better too.
Try to take time to be in relationship WITH others and less time in front of a screen of some sort. We are losing those deep relationships that we so desperately need.
While I am at college, I love to write letters! I love to send others some encouragement, it is one of the things that makes me that happiest. But I also like to receive mail. It used to be that you sent a letter and someone took time out of their day to reply. But in today's time I cannot tell you how many times I have gotten a text or Facebook message saying thank you instead of a return letter. I don't know it could just be the old soul in me, but I enjoy sending letter back and forth. It gives the words a little bit more excitement.
Or it used to be that when you had a conversation with someone you were only with them. Now you are having a conversation with them and the 6 people they are messaging. How many times have you tried to have quality time with a friend and they are looking at their phone more than they are looking at you-- or you are talking to them and they can barely look up to answer you. I know for me it discourages me a little bit. I feel like i should just stop having that conversation because they clearly have something/ someone better to do/ talk to... This is something that I try my hardest not to do. If I am having quality time with someone, I will often lay my phone on the table with the screen facing up so that I can see it in case of an emergency, but rarely do I ever touch it. I enjoy to give the person I am with all of the attention. Giving them eye contact so that they know that I am listening.
I want to challenge you. The next time you are having a conversation with someone, try not to be staring at your phone-- I can almost guarantee that the person texting you will still be there when you are done, and that your conversation with the person you are WITH will be better too.
Try to take time to be in relationship WITH others and less time in front of a screen of some sort. We are losing those deep relationships that we so desperately need.
