4/2/13
The
digital age; The majority of the United States population has grown more and
more reliant on technology in their day to day lives. As a young adult who has
experienced and observed the mass digitization of the world around me, I feel
capable of claiming that technological advancement has produced both satisfying
and detrimental effects. Being “plugged in” has inspired in me a begrudging
sort of love for all these ridiculous gizmos and social media websites. While
there are so many practical uses of cell phones, vehicles, and social media it
is very easy to allow simple modern day tools to turn into obsessive
dependence.
Facebook
is a magnificent instrument. I have reconnected with quite a few old
acquaintances that would have otherwise remained a fixture in the past. I am
able to keep track of birthdays, events, and even contact information without
any effort whatsoever. I am always up to date on my friends' and family’s
doings by merely logging in and taking a peek at my “newsfeed”. I captured a
picture of my son the other day and was able to upload it scant minutes after
it was taken. I can alternately view and share the many pictures my grandma has
posted of family gatherings. There is even a multitude of games available to
play “with” my friends. Parties can be planned and guests invited in a very
short period of time. RSVP information and questions can be added to the event
page very easily. All this information contained in a single website accessible
anywhere at any time. Just fifteen minutes of staring at bright screen and
tapping out warm words with hard little keys seems to inspire a false sense of
productiveness. It is quick, effortless, and simple.
There
lies the dark side underneath all of this efficiency. This so called “social
media” site has drained the true socialization out of communication.
Relationships of any kind are far from simple or easy. They require love,
patience, understanding, and time. While being able to converse with someone at
a time of day I would be otherwise unavailable is actually very nice, it is a
poor replacement for spending quality time with those I care about. An hour
long phone call is now replaced by several messages sent throughout the day.
While communicating in that way may ease the infamous awkward silences during
phone calls or lunch dates, it cannot make up for the fit of laughter that
relieves those moments. I now find myself at a loss for conversational topics
when I'm actually out with friends. Although I am a valued Facebook asset to a
select few family members and close friends, to many I have become a number. A
number in a conquest to get as many “likes” on a funny post or a silly picture
as possible. So many people, me included, are taking this great opportunity to
communicate with people across the globe for granted. Without consideration, I
have assimilated myself into this “social-less media” community. One of my very
best friends joined Peace Corp. and is on the other side of the planet doing
her part to change the world. I have not once shared any private words with her
since she has departed. I have read all of her blog posts and periodically send
her comical cat pictures with cheesy captions. She supplies little comments
here and there on my status updates and photos. Once upon a time I would have
made the effort to send a three page hand written letter overseas. I would draw
humorous little sketches in the margins and place a few photos inside the
folded pages. In place of that warm demonstration of affection, I've
absentmindedly chosen to take a less affable route. Even if we did write back
and forth, what would be left to say after having seen each other’s lives play
out through daily photos and scattered complaints about our rough days? A letter or email would be liken to having a
person read a film script after they've already seen the movie. I can imagine
there would be quite a bit of skimming. My choice of social interaction
currently boils down to settling between chilly efficiency or finding the time
for intimacy. Between school, work, and
raising a young child, efficiency tends to win by a landslide.
What
could be considered more efficient in modern day life than vehicles? At sixteen
years old it was a right of passage to obtain my driver's license and purchase
my first car. Having a vehicle suddenly
thrust upon me an array of choices. All
of that freedom felt wonderful to sixteen year old me. After a short affair
with teenage rebellion, I was able to finally find a job thanks to my access to
transportation. With a car and money I
was able to take the initiative to visit out of town family members, rendezvous
with friends in Omaha, and meet new friends at new venues. Traveling from place
to place in my little car was so much faster and far more convenient than
walking or cycling. My world was able to expand and I reached out for more.
The
problem with constantly moving forward is that a person can forget to look at
what is directly surrounding them. It was difficult to maintain healthy
relationships when all I was focused on was finding new adventures and meeting
new people. I spent most of my time for several years just driving away. I had
obtained forward momentum and unconsciously bequeathed upon myself a set of
blinders to all the little things that make the odyssey of life worthwhile. I
still notice that while driving I often do not really perceive my surroundings.
I can physically see them, but there is a disconnection between seeing my
surroundings and actually experiencing the sight. I get so fixated on the
destination I forget to slow down and experience the journey. Taking a walk
around the neighborhood and observing those little things I overlook while
driving is now a decision I have to make for myself. Often times I have to stop
and tell myself to slow down. “Sidney, that vehicle outside is not a means of
living. It is merely a tool you have the option to use in order to travel
through life.” Sometimes it's just difficult to make myself pull over and pay
attention to the present. I believe the true meaning of the saying, “patience
is a virtue” is being lost in a culture so immersed in immediate gratification.
There
are few things that could be considered more immediately gratifying than
today's cell phones. They're practically miniature computers with nearly
constant connection to the rest of the world. I can check up on my son at the
sitter's from work without making a phone call. If I've suddenly remembered
that I forgot to transfer money to my checking account, all I have to do is
spend three minutes tapping on my phone and suddenly there is enough money in
my account to pay for dinner. When I lock my keys in the van, again, I pull up
the internet browser on my phone and quickly hunt down a cheap locksmith. There
are thousands of games and videos available to alleviate boredom at a moment's
notice. I have an entire library of books stored away on this tiny electronic
device in my purse. I always have my mobile phone on me so there is always
someone to text, a game to play, or a book to read. How is it that I can
somehow manage to feel bored several times a day?
That
seemingly unobtrusive device supplies so many distractions. I've gotten rather
used to being distracted. When I tire of “blasting bubbles” and I've lost
myself in five books in a little less than two weeks, what is there left to do?
I can check my Facebook for the third time in an hour or I may attempt to start
a text message conversation with someone. None of that lasts, though. I spend
my life filling in what I view as gaps with temporary stimulation. I could be
learning how to cook or taking a trip to the park. Instead of squinting at
another miniature sized episode of “Doctor Who”, I could be showing my son how
to squint into a microscope at the Natural History Museum. There are so many
fulfilling things I could be doing. Instead I allow myself to continuously be
sucked into a digital façade of entertainment.
I
spend most of my days either working, studying, or caring for my little man. I
fill all the little spaces in between absently driving from destination to
destination. I try to distract myself in the moments I am not moving by
pretending to maintain healthy friendships using inflection-less words. I ease
my late evening boredom with software-generated solitaire and endless amounts
of subtitled French romance films. Most of the time I just allow myself to do
all of this without a second thought. Every now and then I catch myself,
though. I remember that there is more to life than constant distraction. There
are flowers to pick and quandaries to contemplate. I have two minds to nurture
and bolster. Sometimes it's more than okay to park the van, turn off my phone,
and ignore online social media. While there are many great things to be said
about these technological advancements, being constantly “plugged in” can turn
into a very negative thing.
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