“We will never be alone again, except by choice” (Varnelis, 2012, p. 39).
The quote above sums up the impact technology is having on today’s world. In this discussion, he identifies tools and techniques utilized in the advancements of technology. Our relationships to and definitions of our culture, politics, social infrastructure have transformed. In the first chapter, technologies enable us to be in two places (physical and networked) at once, as discussed by Varnelis in the sense of a public sphere. From Varnelis, we see technology has taken over; “Contemporary life is dominated by the pervasiveness of the network,”(2012, p.15) This transforms our sense of proximity and distance through the always-on, always-accessible network.
What struck me most in the text is our reliance on the virtual world/network, the MUST be connected, attitude. This is done through a variety of avenues (tools), especially our mobile phones. In the public sphere, Varnelis mentions how “minimally social” we can be when using our phones (2012, p. 19). This is something we see everyday, whether it be walking down the street, in the grocery store, riding the bus or subway, a vast majority is on their phone, disconnecting themselves from the social world of reality. Even though we do not interact with those in close proximity, we are not necessarily alone (Varnelis, 2012). The social operation of today’s world is new. People would rather communicate online or on the phone than talk in person, a radical reconfiguration of social coordination. “The telephone was a technology that both encouraged sociability and maintained intimacy at a distance” (Varnelis, 2012, p. 20).
Our use of the mobile redefines our sense of place by “transforming a subway, train seat, a sidewalk, a street corner into a user’s “own room and personal paradise” (Varnelis, 2012, p. 23). Another incentive these tools and technology is the increase in productivity, agility and awareness. My concern is the lack of human connection and social skills. The loss of appreciation for what you can’t hold in your hand.
My question is, just we question is it literacy, is it communication? Human connection? There is the sense to appreciate holding contact with those not physically close to you over the networks, but interaction is key to understanding social and life skills.
Varnelis, K. (2012). Networked publics. The MIT Press. Retrieved from: http://site.ebrary.com.library.esc.edu/lib/empire/detail.action?docID=10251680
Britt,
ReplyDeleteI often have the same concern of the integration of media with learning and every day life. Will this enable people to ultimately not need these skills? Will these skills not be seen as important in the future? I see the lack of communication skills already among out society. I think there needs to be a balance between our new technologies and keeping in mind our social skills and manners too!
Britt,
ReplyDeleteI liked the quote that you chose to start your post with. I find it to be so true in our lives now that privacy is only available when specifically sought out. It used to be that people did not expect you to be "plugged in" and available 24/7. I remember when my dad got a pager for work and they told him it was the greatest new technology. However, that meant that now they could reach him whenever, and wherever, he was no matter if it was during work hours or not. This interrupted family dinners, vacations, and even just daily routines because my dad was now always available to his boss.
Although pagers are outdated (most of my kids would probably ask me what they were), the concept is still true. We have computers and smartphones that check our email several times a day, whether we are at work or not. Everyone expects an immediate response for every little thing. Now, if we want privacy we have to actually physically go out of our way to seek it out.
Britt,
ReplyDeleteI often ask myself the same question: is this communication? If a family is sitting at a dinner table and they are all texting each other instead of talking out loud, yes they are communicating, but are they communicating to the extent that they need to? Like you said, they are not engaging in any human connection. I think our society is taking for granted the social skills that people learn from face-to-face interactions. The way you can read a person's intention from their tone of voice or facial expressions. Its almost as if the concept of reading body language no longer exists.