I gave up social networking for lent. The only times I used it were to 1) tweet about donations for the MS walk in support of my sister, and 2) send an e-mail via facebook…
What I learned from my fast of social media is how unnecessarily essential it is to life today. What I mean by this is that we managed just fine without it up until this point, and I may even go so far to say that we communicated better with one another before it. Sure we “communicate” more frequently now, but I think there is something to the notion of quality verses quantity here. To be honest It was nice not feeling the need to tell complete strangers what I’m currently doing or thinking, what a strange concept; I would hardly feel the urge to stop someone on the street and inform them of my current predicament in 140 characters or less. All in all, I found life bearable, if not more relaxing, without the pressure of having to devise some sort of witty update looming over my head everyday.
At the same time it is mind boggling to me to see that this once entirely unnecessary and non-existant form of communication has absolutely taken over society and become an essential part of it. Major companies and corporations use facebook as their home web adress and news broadcasters have twitter accounts. The notion of quick and convenient has crept into every inch of us, from getting food in 30 minutes or less, to watching movies and TV on demand, to our very form of communication. Since when did talking to people become so egregious that we have come to the point of labelling it superfluous?
Don’t get me wrong, I recognize the need for convenience, but at times I feel like the sacrifices are hardly worth it: we no longer write letters to a single person or loved one, we send facebook messages or e-mails to dozens; we no longer have phone conversations, instead we send text messages; we no longer have conversations. period. Instead we sit and stare at moving pictures or walk around with music in our heads. I’m all for progress and invention, especially when it makes things easier (or cooler); like cars instead of horses, or computers instead of handwriting 15 page essays (and spell check), or the ability to communicate with people half way around the world. But at the same time when the very things that we believe bring us closer together are in actuality setting us further apart, I think there’s a problem; we are connected, but we’re loosing our personal connections.
if body language comprises 70% of our communication I think that 29.9% has been taken over by some form of digital, social media, electronic networking, meaning that 0.1% is left up to our verbal skills. With this in mind it’s no wonder why things like “alien sex” and “tonight I’m F***ing you” are considered popular and sung repeatedly by 10 year olds.
Call me old fashioned but give me a pint and a friend and I could go on talking for days. I feel like my generation is missing out. Sure we have an abundance of almost everything you can think of, and I think that’s where we are missing out most. We have lost our need for things and as a result only ever have wants. I want this, want that, gimmie, gimmie. Also, social networking can have an extremely arrogant tone to it, everything is about me, so even when it comes to communicating I find our ability to listen has been hindered. Maybe that’s why therapists get paid the big bucks to listen, because it’s hard to find anybody else who will when their biggest concern is themselves.
It’s interesting to think that a lot gets sent across the digital and electronic and cellular universe every millisecond, but is anything really being said?
and yes, I realize the irony of this blog and the fact that it will be forwarded to both my twitter and facebook account. I will continue to use these platforms for the very fact that they are quick, convenient, and easily accesible to a multitude of people. Who knows who will be impacted or challenged by what I have to say here. However, after fasting social networking I am truly challenged to be weary of how and what I communicate to others and to have quality relationships over quantity; the type of relationships in which I can be a constant Christ-like example instead of an infrequent and inconsistent flake. those are the types of relationships that count, and hold you accountable.
feel free to comment here, but if I see you on a regular basis I’d rather you ask me out to coffee.
