A Controversial Post: Read with Caution

I have thought for many years now that it will be computers that result in the downfall of societies and the end of civilization.  The bible doesn’t say anything about computers.  But maybe God will use computers to bring about His end.

Maybe the Terminator movies weren’t all that wrong. 

You know, satellites linking up in outer space and all, sharing information about you.  Big brother watching.  Conspiracy theories.

But lately I have changed my mind.  I still think computers and technology will be the downfall of society, but in a different way than previously thought.

As I walk across campus, I can count on one hand the number of students who are NOT connected to something electronic.  I see kids on cell phones talking and texting.  I see kids hooked up to earpieces and headphones.  If I stop in the student center for a snack, those who aren’t wearing headphones or on a cell phone in some capacity are hooked up to a laptop or some such device.  These human students sit inches from another, yet might as well not exist to each other.  Individuals pass each other on the sidewalk and don’t make eye contact.  They don’t even hear each other’s cell phone conversation because they are so intent on their own electronic device.  Before class, I see students pull out a phone and look at pictures, surf the web or whatever to avoid speaking to the person sitting right next to them. 

We used to be told to yell “fire” (instead of help) if we needed help.  Now, we should probably tell people to text “help”-  or whatever that would look like in text language.  Hlp?  911?  Emer?  Who knows.

As a society, we are losing human connection.  We are losing the ability, the know-how, and – worst of all – the desire to connect with others on a personal and intimate level.  In fact, I write to you on a laptop right now.  I am hoping that at least a few of my friends still read this blog.  But I don’t know.  I know that I really only talk to two or so on the  phone on a regular basis.  And I know the friends that I have had the longest and were friends with me when I was even more of a hot headed and crazier than I am now I only keep in touch with through electronic devices.  So is technology really all that bad?

Yes.

Technology is bad when it keeps us from connecting human to human in real life.  We would rather have hundreds of “friends” that we can “connect” with without seeing and only on the superficial subjects such as what kind of coffee I just finished drinking or where I was just standing in line.  We would rather skype or video conference than sit down with someone face to face and have a heart to heart conversation over business, weather or whatever.  And this one will probably offend anyone from my Sunday school class who reads this, but we would rather call and order food for someone that just had a baby than take a homemade or store bought dish to their house and fellowship with them.  It isn’t the food we want; it is the fellowship, the visit, the companionship we crave. 

Am I alone here? 

I have joked for years that I am in my 30’s but act like I am in my 70’s.  I used to say that I was one of those people who got my paycheck mailed to me and would take it to the bank, park, walk in and talk to the tellers at the same branch.  Unfortunately, my place of employment is forcing everyone to use direct deposit.  However, I will still drive to the bank, park, get both kids out, walk in, talk to Beverly and Caren and the other tellers and withdraw cash.  My kids will get stickers and suckers (if they have been good).  The bank will stop doing business for the 5 – 10 minutes we are in there visiting.  Everyone will comment on my kids and how much they have grown.  Heck, I have been going to this same branch since before I was pregnant with Ruth.  They will ask me how I have been.  I will do the same to them.  We will all smile and say “have a nice day”.  It will be superficial.  But, because this face to face connection has been going on for almost five years, we have a history.  We share bits and pieces of ourselves each time and sometimes on a deeper level.  I know that one of the tellers has had a divorce and loves kids but will probably never have them now.  I can tell there is one teller that the others don’t care for as much.  And another that they are glad she is gone.  And another that they all miss very much.  Little connections.  Yet they mean so much to me. 

I try to get my students to understand the importance of human connection.  I asked them to experiment walking across campus not electronically connected.  Some actually gasped.  I have them introduce themselves to their neighbors every class.  Yet, some still can’t name the person they are sitting next to.   

What will happen to us if we continue down this path?  Does anyone value human connection anymore?

Am I alone?

Are you there, human world?  It’s me, Natalie.