And what are we doing when we're in front of these screens? Just sitting there. Maybe typing.
So, why do we think we're in this big social network? Have you ever been out to a bar or restaurant and have seen a group of people all sitting together, not talking, just looking at their phones? OK, maybe occasionally they'll show someone sitting next to them their screen, but not for very long.
I'm not judging... I do this too.
So if we're online constantly; either on Facebook, Grindr, Scruff, My Space, Match.com, blogging, tweeting or whatever it is, we are still just sitting there in front of a screen. You can make yourself into anything you want. You create an online persona. But is that really you?
What can you really tell about a person from a one inch square picture? You're only reading what they want you to know. It really is hiding behind a mask in some ways.
I really like meeting a person in person! You learn so much more about a person by eye contact, body language, gestures, their sense of humor, their vibe and so much more.
If your New Year's Resolution is to be online less; I'd say, with that extra time spend it with someone. In real conversation and in real interactions.
OK, I'm talking to me mostly!
7 comments:
An interesting post JIm. I'm off two minds about the question you raise. I agree with you that face to face inter personal skills are important to getting to know a person. That's why I continue to work (part-time) as a front desk clerk at a hotel after a 37 year career in the banking industry. I like to meet people. But I also like meeting people through the new social interfaces like Facebook and blogging. When I was younger I was into the bar scene but I'm too old for that now (I fall asleep.) I think both things are important. One compliments the other. I have no intention of giving up my new found freedom which is the Internet.
To answer your other question "Who am I?" I am exactly as I appear on my profile. I am not one of those people on the Internet who hide behind a mask. What you see is what you get with me. I've never lied about my age or anything else about myself. I express my feelings honestly. If I hold back at all it is to protect and not hurt the feelings of my friends and family. Other than those restrictions, what you see in my blog postings is me.
A decade or two of accelerated technological advances can't erase our genetic evolution; we need human contact - seeing faces/talking, touching etc. All these social internet things (and yes, I include blogging) will not replace the desire - yea, the necessity - for human intercourse.
I'm with Jim... What I heard him saying was that we've lost that balance and making time to get "old school" by talking face-to-face or at a minimum turning off our laptops / phones is not necessarily a bad thing.
Bravo Jim... I'm now going to log off.
Cheers,
BosGuy
"we need human contact - seeing faces/talking, touching etc. All these social internet things (and yes, I include blogging) will not replace the desire - yea, the necessity - for human intercourse."
I second dr spo on this. I like coming out here and keeping in touch with friends far away. but it will never replace one-on-one face time.
If you spend all of your time online creating the "persona", it is not really you. Until you either speak with someone on the phone or meet them face to face, you don't really know the real person.
Take it from someone whose been there, done that...and is a bit amped up on caffeine from a lot of coffee...get offline and conversate...and keep it clean, as hard as that is for some.
I'm getting hungry for some "dessert".
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