We’ve all done it. You see someone you talk to from time to time, but have never ACTUALLY spoken words with. You look through all of their pictures, statuses, wall posts, etc. You become to KNOW them. Yet, once you actually see them in real, 3-D life, you pass by without so much as a glance or a word. Why is this?
Well, maybe it’s cause we’re awkward teenagers that have a new outlet to avoid conversation. Maybe it’s cause our curiosity is just too starved to ignore.
Or maybe it’s because we have some SERIOUS issues on the way.
Face-to-face communication is starting to suffer, greatly because of social networking sites and texting. Don’t get me wrong; I’m an avid texter/Facebook stalker, but I feel that interpersonal relationships have suffered because we all rely so much on communication via-electronics.
And this is just the beginning. Soon, we’ll all be able to just THINK a thought and it’s automatically sent to Twitter for the world’s viewing pleasures. This idea may seem ridiculous, but it is more likely than not being cooked up by some Apple scientist, somewhere (yes, Apple, not Microsoft).
Are we ready for this?
I’m sure as hell not.
So next time you see someone you love, give them a hug. Tell them you love them. Ask them about their day, as opposed to reading it later on your news feed. While our economy may be suffering with a side effect of inflation, personal relationships are suffering from deflation. A friendly hug is now worth MUCH more than it used to be. Take advantage.
-alishasmoo
I really like this article. Why? Because it’s so true. It’s insane how you can read so much information about one person on Facebook, especially those who you don’t know, and then you feel like you know them. But then when you walk up to them, they may have no idea who you are. It’s awkward encounters like these that are only going to increase as we rely on technology more and more.
More often will you have someone walk up to you and go, “Hi, how’d the such-and-such go?” or “How was your day with so-and-so?” It’s just going to become more common.
this is true i agree!
you’re getting a hug next time I see you
This article brings up some good points, but it’s not always true. For me, Facebook and Myspace have actually helped me make more friends, because I’ll talk to someone online and then we’ll start hanging out in real life and become good friends. It really depends on the kind of person you are and how you go about “stalking”.
good article. Very true. This is why i like to meet people first and not find them on the internet.
And why not Microsoft scientist? Maybe because only a Apple scientist would make something so ridiculous and simple. Life is already to complicated using our fingers to type.
Think, this wasn’t meant to be an Apple debate.
I know. I was just trying to make conversation interesting
I think it was already interesting enough
Indeed it is quite interesting. I feel the need for a debate.
I believe the Mac vs. PC article is still open for comments
I’m pretty sure that article has filled its purpose. Everything that can be argued about has been said already.
Maybe it’s not all about arguing?
I’ll post another article in a second.. hold on..
Well not arguing. More like comparing I guess.
I completely agree with you, save the facebook stalking part. I have no problem with texting to easily communicate informal pieces of information (like trying to get a hangout group easily organized) however having important conversation over texting or facebook usually leads to problems because the other person may misread tone, motives, and other body languages that can only be truly analyzed in a heart-to-heart convo.
Yes, Facebook and texting have proven to have countless advantages. What I’m specifically referring to is creating relationships and our inability to do so.
I, honestly, have never met anyone in real life AFTER meeting them online and not having that awkward aura of “we know each other more than we naturally should”.
I don’t think texting/Facebook/Twitter should just vanish; I’m trying to express the value of face-to-face conversation and meetings.
And, as a clarification, when I say “Facebook stalking”, I don’t mean the creeps you see on “To Catch a Predator”. I mean looking through people’s photos, comments, info, statuses, orientation, etc. without even knowing them, and basing their judgments on who they are.
I think this is definitely true.. It seems nowadays teens (and maybe even adults) feel more comfortable emailing, texting, or visiting a person’s facebook page rather than calling or talking face to face. I guess it’s easier to look composed through text rather than sounds.
I wish social awkwardness didn’t kill offline relationships, but it does. The fact is that we let it all get to us. We’re so afraid to become vulnerable to someone we either like/admire that we ignore them outside of the internet completely.
Another one of those awkward moments: When someone holds out their hand and you don’t know whether to shake it or slide & bump it.
It’s worse when they slide and you shake.
And it’s even worse when they shake and you pull away to slide.
“Another one of those awkward moments: When someone holds out their hand and you don’t know whether to shake it or slide & bump it.”
I absolutely hate this, and vigorously hate it when someone tries making me bump it after giving a high five.
I would like to call for a ban on sliding and bumping because of their absolute lameness. Only gargantuan, amazing, powerful, energy packed high fives should be allowed in such a grand world!
AGREED. When I become King of All Earth, this will be the First Amendment on my Bill of Rights To Change Retarded Laws, Such As The One That Outlaws Cruel And Unusual Punishment.
And that will be the full title of the document.
Just take out the word “retarded” and replace it with a word that’s not derogatory. :]
No, that’s okay. My motto is, “If you spend your whole life trying never to offend anyone, you’ll never get anything said.”
Us silly republicans.