Some days ago I was chatting with somebody on Google Talk. A while later this person had to leave as it was the end of a work day, and signed off with this - "I'm heading home so bye for now. Still haven't figured out how to chat on the phone." Which was fine by me as there was nothing else I wanted to talk about anyway, but I found it really funny because what else is the phone meant for if not to chat?
Now I know that the person was talking about instant messaging, but it still got me thinking about how people hardly use the phone to talk anymore. Even if someone needs to ask you something, or knows you're going through a rough time or even a fabulous time as the case may be, they will sit around and wait for you to appear on whatever instant messenger you use and then ask how are you? (I’m obviously talking about those who live in the same city/country, and don't have to make expensive long-distance calls.)
Sure instant messaging is useful; it's very convenient and not as intrusive as a phone call. You can ping someone and then wait for them to respond at their convenience. It's great for just saying hello or catching up, and I'm all for it. I just don’t get it when people use it even for important and, what should be timely, communication.
The more technologically advanced we get, the more emotionally disconnected we are becoming from each other. I remember a time when if we wanted to meet friends, we'd actually see them in person. That way, even if they were trying to hide something from us we'd be able to tell. If they were hurting or upset about something, we could reach out to them even if they were too proud or scared to admit it.
These days, everybody says how are you, what's up? And we all reply that we are fine. What else are you going to say to a cold, impersonal, digital screen? We are "connected" to so many people on these social networking sites but how much do we really know about each other? We browse through photo albums and respond to status updates but what about the ones who are silent? How clued in are we to their lives?
You go out, you meet someone for a few minutes and then follow it up by connecting with them online, but rarely do you venture beyond a few cursory exchanges. The initial euphoria soon fizzles out, till you meet the next new person. And so it goes on. One day he/she is simply the best, the next day it's someone else. It seems that in these waters the wider your nets are cast, the shallower it gets. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Also makes you grateful for those few wonderful friends who are always there for you in the real sense. I know I am.
I’m grateful for the friends who call me on the phone, wait patiently for me to answer and can tell from the tone of my voice how I am. The friends who actually mean it when they ask, "How are you?" even on instant messenger, and will not carry the conversation forward until I respond specifically. And the ones who take the time to meet me face to face. Even in the middle of a busy day, even if it's for a few minutes, even if it means braving the insane traffic in this crazy city just to share a smile.
Now I know that the person was talking about instant messaging, but it still got me thinking about how people hardly use the phone to talk anymore. Even if someone needs to ask you something, or knows you're going through a rough time or even a fabulous time as the case may be, they will sit around and wait for you to appear on whatever instant messenger you use and then ask how are you? (I’m obviously talking about those who live in the same city/country, and don't have to make expensive long-distance calls.)
Sure instant messaging is useful; it's very convenient and not as intrusive as a phone call. You can ping someone and then wait for them to respond at their convenience. It's great for just saying hello or catching up, and I'm all for it. I just don’t get it when people use it even for important and, what should be timely, communication.
The more technologically advanced we get, the more emotionally disconnected we are becoming from each other. I remember a time when if we wanted to meet friends, we'd actually see them in person. That way, even if they were trying to hide something from us we'd be able to tell. If they were hurting or upset about something, we could reach out to them even if they were too proud or scared to admit it.
These days, everybody says how are you, what's up? And we all reply that we are fine. What else are you going to say to a cold, impersonal, digital screen? We are "connected" to so many people on these social networking sites but how much do we really know about each other? We browse through photo albums and respond to status updates but what about the ones who are silent? How clued in are we to their lives?
You go out, you meet someone for a few minutes and then follow it up by connecting with them online, but rarely do you venture beyond a few cursory exchanges. The initial euphoria soon fizzles out, till you meet the next new person. And so it goes on. One day he/she is simply the best, the next day it's someone else. It seems that in these waters the wider your nets are cast, the shallower it gets. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Also makes you grateful for those few wonderful friends who are always there for you in the real sense. I know I am.
I’m grateful for the friends who call me on the phone, wait patiently for me to answer and can tell from the tone of my voice how I am. The friends who actually mean it when they ask, "How are you?" even on instant messenger, and will not carry the conversation forward until I respond specifically. And the ones who take the time to meet me face to face. Even in the middle of a busy day, even if it's for a few minutes, even if it means braving the insane traffic in this crazy city just to share a smile.
1 comment:
I'm very grateful that we have week-end free phone calls and find just lately that I am having comforting chats with old friends - in the UK that is.
I have family in America, Australia, France and Thailand and this is when I am grateful to the internet. Long distance phone calls I don't enjoy as the timing all goes to pot and we talk on top of each other.
Two days ago I had a surprise encounter with my step grand-daughter - in town on business, and although we only had a short time together it was lovely to listen to her problems whilst she listened to mine and we hugged each other. Real live face to face has to be best I think.
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