TALK IS CHEAP LATELY
I've been thinking lately about the high costs of communication in the emerging digital era. With the prevalence of text messaging, blogging, myspace, facebook, myface and spacebook (check - they're there) I'm left wondering whether this primarily Gen Y driven digital world we are living in is infact enriching the experience of communication or impoverishing it.
It seems that we have more access to information (and personal information at that) than ever before. We can make contact and be "friends" with almost anyone our hearts desire. But to what degree does this actually facillitate a meaningful and lasting connection? And to what extent can we trust the information we are supplied with when it is user-driven (and thus filtered).
I'm almost certain that a good majority of 'profiles' out there are edited to within an inch of reality. Created to protect individual weaknesses and ugliness from public scrutiny - conversely so to propagate fame, popularity and even profit.
But then, I'm also not a complete pessimist. I actually have faith that, like myself, there are others out there that value reaching out in the prospect of making a meaningful and enduring connection without compromising on the value of the communication, the integrity of the information and maintaining a sense of dignity, self-respect and moderation.
This said, there really is nothing in this world that can facillitate communication better than a person-to-person interaction. A letter written on paper beats a text message or email anyday. Talking rather than IM'ing is just easier to do and doesnt allow for loopholes in understanding, intent, thought and feeling. And looking at a friends holiday photos over a nice dinner and glass of wine far exceeds the experience of clicking through an online album.
9 comments:
Yes, the feeling of company makes all the difference, I think. All that's added with expressions and the eyes... so vital and much easier
*oh the thought of a nice dinner and wine~
ultimately, we humans are an incredibly adaptable species, as are all animals to an extent. what we've come to know as communication in the last decade up to today may be irrelevant and long forgotten within the course of the next 10 years. now the question is, will our adaptation, constant flux, have detrimental effects when comparing effects and intentions of communication from then to now? can we compare? should we bother to even try and assign value to the current state of communication? now attacking the question at a level of language, meaning, intent and semiotics etc etc might make for a more satisfactory repertoire of ‘answers’. I feel like this is all quite difficult to pin down, this judging of what it means to be in touch, since every circumstance is infinitely relative to the social, political, generational climate at any given period (on the macro) and person-to-person relation (on the micro). Hm wow I wasn’t intending this response to go on so long but, you know when you’re feelin it? Plus this post touched upon something I started writing yesterday…My friend always told me to stop asking questions, they only lead to more questions never to be answered.
OM. is how imma end this...
bravo!
Its certainly an interesting concept and one that intrigues me. I honestly wonder what value we will place on real person-to-person interaction in the future.
Like you said, everything is circumstantial and relative to the current climate, and given we dont know what social climate we are currently cutting the mould for, its hard to predict where we will end up in the future...
We are adaptable, yes, and communication can take many forms for various purposes.
There really is no limit to it~
Over the last two or three years I've found using other means to communicate to be beneficial.
There may be as many ways to communicate as there are reasons driving it, and being open to all forms of communication and what it can offer is a good way to go.
With John though I'd want to talk to him over dinner in person just as I said
your points are very valid, but in this professional world that i am only just experiencing, people rarely give the time or effort to communicate with each other in a way that takes extra time.
surely we must look at what we value to be important and then allocate time and effort into seeing those things through..
most certainly. to ignore that inner voice for too long is to betray yourself, anything and everything you have created that may line up with your values.
take that time to make the effort, even while the people around seem to be oblivious. those who can vibe will emerge. and who knows, you might teach the others a thing or two about staying true.
keeping things in balance is never easy but definately do-able. the intentions are in the right place and that's always a good place to start.
*standing ovation*
Seems the topic has struck a chord with likeminded folk. I am pleased that you can all find this a thought provoking concept - enough to express a passionate opinion on.
I truly believe that the future will only be what we make it for ourselves.
Time and effort, yes.
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