I did not have a smartphone until recently. I got a Samsung Nexus S shortly after they came out, and I use it exclusively as a handheld computer for amusement, enlightenment, and connectivity. It keeps me occupied while I am waiting for the bus, commuting to and from work, and whenever I have something I am waiting on. It keeps me up to date on my e-mail, my news, and my instant messages. Yet despite all this, I likely don't get any more value out of this little toy than I would out of my desktop or laptop computers. Yes, it is certainly convenient. Yes, it can be addicting, but at the end of the day, it is not an absolute necessity. This being the case, why is it so hard to put down?
I think that we, as a people, have become so attached to our technology; to those perceived connections that it brings us, that we are afraid that by putting it down we will miss something important. We have become a nation of "always on" "always available" people. We solicit advice from our 'friends' about what to make for dinner, where to go shopping, or what to do this weekend, not by calling them up, but by leaving them a message on their walls.
In the midst of all this, even though we may be communicating more than ever, some of us are forgetting how to carry on meaningful conversations. There is more to conversation than a witty status, a cute wall post, or a hasty e-mail. Let us take some time this week to truly talk to the people we care about. Let us put down the smartphones, turn off the computers, and take some time to find out how are friends are really doing.
What do you think?
Fine! I'll stop playing Jewels on your smartphone. Geesh, all you had to do was ask. :)
ReplyDelete