Last Friday night, Bryan and I were driving home and I found myself looking into the open windows of houses along our street (creepy, right?) as we passed house after house, I noticed a common theme. In almost every single home, there was a person or persons glued to some from of electronic device. Be it smart phone, television or computer. Remember, it was a Friday night. There were no parties that I could see. No gatherings of friends, neighbors and family. No kids having slumber parties and pillow fights. Just a whole lot of screens. Now it could be that I just happen to live on a boring street, but in all honesty, I think society has been overtaken by our own advances.
Have you seen this commercial for the Windows Phone?
How sad but true is that?
Now I have to admit, I can't get too high and mighty in pointing my finger. I have a smart phone... and don't get me wrong, I love it. But how do we maintain our connection with real life in a world of virtual realities? How do we shut off the social networking sites and do some honest-to-goodness SOCIAL NETWORKING... as in... going out for coffee or popping into a friends house to chat? Honestly, if you haven't read the article by Ashton Kutcher that I linked to, I really would encourage you to head over there and give it a good read. Because the words that are on the tip of my tongue have already been said by him.
I realize that going backwards simply isn't going to happen. Technology has become an integral part of everyone's every day, and that's just the way it is. BUT... can we make an effort to stay connected while disconnecting periodically? Does that make sense? I guess what I'm saying is, lets just make an effort not to be surfing the web on our smart phone while in the checkout line at the grocery store. Lets get back to basic human kindness... to small talk about the weather and good old eye contact.
Are you with me?
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6 comments:
That is so true, and I am so guilty of that as well. It's sad that a lot of the time I can watch TV, look at my computer, and text on my phone. We really do need to get back to interacting with other people.
I'm with you! Too often I find myself glued to a screen instead of conversing with people, and it's something i'd like to get better at.
I'm with you Claire! I definitely need some un-plugged time here very soon :)
I am with you, physically relating is so important and often I have to intentionally put my phone where I cant see it or shut the computer--but---let's not be so hard on technology, God is using it for his glory! =)
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. The importance of staying connected with friends...and not just through the computer or a phone. Getting together, going out to dinner, making a phone call. Important things to keep a healthy relationship going if you ask me. I loved Ashton's article you shared awhile back...I think he's right on. I actually was talking with my brother about that article last week. Good stuff friend!
My question is, how are you looking in peoples windows and seeing them on a PHONE? creeeppppssstterrr. ( :
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