In a Connected World, Why the Disconnect?
Image Source: Wes Hicks (Unsplash)
"A lot of problems in the world would be solved if we talked to each other instead of about each other." - Nicky Gumbel.
Author's note: I will share an apropos post I wrote on a previous site for today's blog entry. In 2015, I offered readers my observations about the way our society communicated with each other. With technological advances, some social media and gaming software may no longer exist. I leave it to you, my readers, to consider the present-day platforms and their effects on our interpersonal communication.
"The other day, a friend and I discussed how technology changed the fire service and life. He shared a quote he saw on Facebook: "We live in the most connected yet disconnected world. Why is that?" I thought about this afterward and realized how it all began:
Telegraph, telephone, radio, television (with rabbit ears), satellite, and cable. Telstar, Atari, Nintendo, Gameboy, Xbox, and Wii. Desktop computers, laptops, internet, cell phones, Smartphones, and Wi-Fi hotspots. AOL, Myspace, Facebook, instant messaging, texting, and Twitter.
Ugh! Try saying all that in one breath. We, indeed, are the most connected society in the world, both good and bad. So why the big disconnect?
I remember growing up as a kid, where we would be outside all day (save for inclement weather), and the only time we reported home was for lunch and dinner. From sun up to sun down, it was the norm to soak up as much Vitamin D as possible on those bright, sunny summer days. If it rained, we stayed in and played board games, talked about life, or tormented our younger siblings. There was also a time when neighbors sat on each other's porches into the wee hours of the morning and just B.S.'d about everything while trying to solve the day's pressing issues. Our technologically advanced world has changed all this, leading to my next case.
Image Source: Marvin Meyer (Unsplash)
Recently, I worked a night overtime shift and noted the most curious but not surprising thing. Five of us sat in the dayroom chairs with the T.V. on, and nobody was watching or speaking to each other. Why? Because 4 out of the five had their attention consumed by the latest text or Facebook post on their smartphones. After about an hour of this disconnect, I retired to my cube to read and then go to bed. A new normal exists not only in the fire service but also in society. We have immersed ourselves in the world of instant information that one of our most essential life skills is slowly eroding: basic interpersonal communication.
An individual can have 1000 Facebook friends yet fail to recognize that someone they work or live closely with is having difficulty navigating life's obstacles. We can also spend hours on end perusing the World Wide Web (I am guilty of this), planning our next adventure; all the while, the relationships around us are crumbling because we fail to do a straightforward thing: communicate with someone without hiding behind a text or an email. For example, think about how often you have been in a restaurant and witnessed an entire group seated at a table not conversing because they were texting or talking to someone else who was not present that day.
As I said in an earlier post, it is our fundamental duty as a member of the human race to leave this world a little better off than we found it ( even if it is just in some small way). A question: How can we do this if we ignore what's happening right before us?
Don't get me wrong, our advanced technology is terrific and has contributed to solving many local, national, and world crises. However, to effect meaningful change, we must do so on a more personal level. Let's start with at least one planned night a week to unplug from the world and live in the moment. Consider Substituting computer, smartphone, and T.V. time with meditation, yoga, a walk in the park, or a one-on-one conversation with a loved one or significant other devoid of outside distractions. If we are successful, we can extend it to two.
Ultimately, we crave the intimate connection that interpersonal communication provides. As food for thought, I leave you with the commentary of Mr. Jimmy Buffett, whose song echoes the sentiments of this post. Feel free to add to this conversation either for or against my views, as I welcome all who may present." Until next time -
Namaste,
Tim
EVERYBODY'S ON THE PHONE (Jimmy Buffett/Peter Mayer/Roger Guth/Will Kimbrough)
"MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE, RHYTHM OF A DRUM
SMOKE SIGNALS AND TELEGRAPHS
MADE THE AIRWAYS HUM
BUT THAT'S ALL ANCIENT HISTORY
LIKE BONGS AND LINCOLN LOGS
NO, WE'RE LIVING LIKE THE JETSONS
IN A WACKY WIRELESS FOG
TALKIN' SQUAWKIN' HAWKIN'
WHO KNOWS IF ANYBODY'S GETTING THROUGH
TOASTERS TALK TO CRACKBERRIES
BOSTON TO BOMBAY
TEENAGE SCHEMES ARE MA BELL'S DREAMS
AS THE MINUTES TICK AWAY
WE ACT LIKE CRAZY PEOPLE
TALKING TO OURSELVES
CRASHING CARS FOR CONVERSATION
BUT THAT SHIT FLIES OFF THE SHELVES
THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY'S
CRAWLING LIKE AN LA TRAFFIC JAM
CHORUS
EVERYBODY'S ON THE PHONE
SO CONNECTED AND ALL ALONE
FROM THE PIZZA BOY TO SOCIALITE
WE ALL SALUTE THE SATELLITE
WON'T YOU TEXT ME WITH THE MASTER PLAN
YOU'RE LOUD AND CLEAR, BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND
I'M A DIGITAL EXPLORER IN ANALOG ROAM
EVERYBODY'S ON THE PHONE
DO YOU REMEMBER DIALING UP
YES, I REMEMBER WELL
NOW I CAN'T GO ANYWHERE
WITHOUT THAT SACRED CELL
I THINK THAT I MIGHT DIE IF I MISS ANYTHING AT ALL
TEXT ME, SEND ME EMAIL, LINK ME UP GIVE ME A CALL
I'M A.D.D. ON AOL AND TRYING TO READ THE WRITING
ON THE WALL
CHORUS
EVERYBODY'S ON THE PHONE
SO CONNECTED AND ALL ALONE
FROM THE PIZZA BOY TO SOCIALITE
WE ALL SALUTE THE SATELLITE
WON'T YOU TEXT ME WITH THE MASTER PLAN
YOU'RE LOUD AND CLEAR, BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND
I'M A DIGITAL EXPLORER IN ANALOG ROAM
EVERYBODY'S ON THE PHONE
INSTRUMENTAL
NOW I'M A REAL JUNGLE JUMPER,
I'M A MEGAHERTZ MAN
I SWING FROM TREE TO TREE
ON THE VERY LATEST PLAN
ON THE DOWNLOAD
IN THE DROPOUT ZONES
IN EVERY MAJOR CITY ACROSS THE LAND
I GOT BOB MARLEY ON MY RINGTONE
GET UP STAND UP
REACH OUT TOUCH SOMEBODY, MAN
CHORUS
EVERYBODY'S ON THE PHONE
SO CONNECTED AND ALL ALONE
FROM THE PIZZA BOY TO SOCIALITE
WE ALL SALUTE THE SATELLITE
WON'T YOU TEXT ME WITH THE MASTER PLAN
YOU'RE LOUD AND CLEAR, BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND
I'M A DIGITAL EXPLORER IN ANALOG ROAM
EVERYBODY'S ON THE PHONE
I'M A DIGITAL EXPLORER IN AN ANALOG FOAM
EVERYBODY'S ON THE PHONE"
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