Social Networks Are Making People Less Social
The Internet has brought the world together yet is creating a wider gap of social interaction like never before. That's right, social networking is making us less social in the sense of personable interactions. With the growing number of networks and way to stay 'connected' what is getting lost is the true purpose on communication with others.
The world is shifting to 140 character status updates. Quick insights at a moment in time about an individual, a quick picture, maybe a short video. That is not communication. The social network phenom is creating a self satisfying way to calm our minds of curiosity on what others are doing, if they are still alive, where they live in short, meaningless and emotionless statuses. People no longer write long letters or even emails to each other painting pictures of their lives and experiences, expressing emotions, letting their unique personalities come out in the correspondences. All the healthy benefits we get from interacting with others. We may be able to connects hundreds if not thousands of people we come in contact with but does all this technology and communication lines make our communications more meaningful? Seeing a post from a childhood friend "I am fine today, work is going good. Off to the park later", does that satisfy your need to alleviate some guilt for your friendship falling to the wayside? It does not.
NPR recently had a story about how High School Reunion attendance is dropping and tying it to social networking. There is a false sense of connection that creates an impression that you are already connected to old classmates so what is the point of going in person. But there is an aspect that is missed when you are back in front of people, that real tangible connection of hearing the speak as a real conversation is conducted over a status update reply.
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