On the bus, five people sat beside me, all leaning forward, tapping the keys on their mobile devices, communicating with friends and loved ones, but not with each other. I peered over, watching text messages being sent, Facebook wall streams load, and Twitter refresh. Looking up from my email, I stopped to listen, and heard nothing. Uncomfortable, but rather familiar it sounded.
As the bus left its stop, a woman turned to her neighbor to initiate what appeared to be a conversation. Not interested, he stood up, walked away, and sat down elsewhere. She didn’t seem surprised or bothered by his departure. Silence returned.
First came the phone… I can hear you, but I can’t see your facial expressions.
Then email… I can send and receive messages, but no longer can I see or hear you.
And now text messages, status updates, and tweets… I can’t see, hear, nor is there time or space to explain.
Although it’s easier than ever to instantly communicate with people around the world, the same digital media communications that make this possible also pull us further from each other, from the genuine act of conversation, and contribute to our isolation.
In cubicles leaning over a computer screen, in home offices with shades closed, in coffee shops with laptops and headphones plugged in, and in busses with smart phones vibrating, many of us are spending less and less time in the presence of those that matter most to us, immersing ourselves in conversation, those that are not digitally mediated.
Mediated conversations are still conversations, but nothing can simulate being in the presence of others, being face-to-face.
And so, in the pocket my phone will remain next time there’s an opportunity for conversation.
4 Comments
Absolutely Jason. Although, it is nice to have two coffee communities- locally and online. And coffee does bring us together.
@Jennifer They certainly do complement each other (online/offline). And with WiFi, both communities can meet in the same place.
Great points, Jason. We might be connected by the net but how can we connect with each other unless we chat face to face? It’s sad we are so absorbed in our own little online world that we don’t have time to meet up with friends and the only way to see how they are doing is by checking tweets or status.
Come on people! Drink more coffee together and have a real conversation.
@Jennifer It’s great that people connect online, but it’s even better when online exchanges go offline, to the coffee shop of course.
I’ve made a few friends this way; an email, tweet, etc., and then meet in person. But of course meeting face to face isn’t always feasible.