A Disconnected Connected Society
Posts, tweets, pins, links, updates…
The list goes on and on.
IMHO, we are becoming the most disconnected connected people who have ever lived. (By the way; did you see how cool I am? I know tech speak for “in my humble opinion!”)
We know what is going on with somebody half-way around the world whom we have “accepted” as a “friend” (even though we’ve never met them), or “follow,” are “linked in with,” or are in some other way connected electronically. At the same time, we have no idea what is going on with our spouse who is sitting right next to us; our children who live in the same house; our real friends who have been there for us at difficult times in our lives; the people who live next door to us; and/or a host of other people we used to know and spend time with before we got hooked on our electronic devices.
People who know me know that I’m sort of a sucker for this stuff. I guess it started with the iPhone. I was among the millions who were “wowed” by it. I couldn’t believe that one little device was capable of doing all that it could do.
It took me a while to get an iPhone, but, once I did, I was hooked. Although I’ve gone to the dark side and now have an Android phone (and tablet), I’m still intrigued by the possibilities that electronics provide for us.
I’m also intrigued and saddened by what I am observing; that is, when I look up from my phone or tablet. Increasingly, I am seeing (and sometimes participating in) a scenario in which family members, friends, etc. can all be in the same room and are all communicating. The problem is that they (we) are communicating with somebody somewhere else. Instead of sharing their (our) lives with those who should be the closest to us, something as trivial as a joke or a cute picture is being shared with somebody who may not even care enough to look at it.
I’ve never had the privilege of sitting right behind home plate in the front row of a major league baseball game. I don’t expect I ever will have that privilege.
However, as I’m sitting at home miles away from the stadium, I’ve watched as that center-field camera zooms in to the home plate area. I have seen people who occupy a seat I can only dream of having. I’ve watched them texting, emailing, or doing something other than watching the game. I’m wondering how much money they spent on those tickets — and why.
When was the last time you went to a sporting event (maybe even a little league game in which your child was playing) and just watched the game?
When was the last time you enjoyed some of God’s wonderful creation without feeling compelled to share your experience with the world?
When was the last time you and your spouse had an uninterrupted real conversation?
When was the last time your entire family sat around the same table at the same time and enjoyed a meal without any electronic interference?
When was the last time you “unplugged” and just lived life with those whom you love?
I’m beginning to think that there is, in fact, a disconnected connected society. I’m beginning to also think I’m a part of that society.
How about you?
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