I realized that one of the reasons I stopped is because my attention span is tiny thanks to other newer, faster technologies like Facebook, texting and Twitter. That's sad isn't it?
I believe that the internet is really messing with human relationships, and more quickly than we can handle. How so you ask?
Well before the fast communication of the internet, we used to call and write letters when we wanted to talk to someone. This naturally weeded out of a lot of people from our lives. The ones that really wanted to be your friend made the effort. It also allowed for the natural progression of friendships which typically intensify and fade over time.
Should I dare say that the internet is forcing us to be friends with people we wouldn't normally be friends with? Don't get me wrong, connecting with someone from the past can be great and fascinating. But when it happens over and over, you tend to get spread a little thin right? Then people get offended when you don't immediately reply to their e-mails or your feelings for reviving your long lost friendship isn't reciprocated.
I recently had a friend tell me about someone who was continuously texting her, and when she didn't reply, the girl assumed she was mad. The reality was my friend was busy. Now they have unnecessary tension. The culprit? Technology!
Although I love my iphone, computer, the internet etc., I do long for the simpler days when I just hung out and watched Family Ties on TV, read a book, talked on the phone for hours or (gasp) drew something on a piece of paper. At least then I could actually focus on one single thing for more than five minutes.
How has technology affected your friendships? Do you struggle to keep up?
7 comments:
It has both its pros and cons. On blog I got to know some people who live in other countries and totally different lifestyles. So that was interesting. I don’t have FB. On twitter I mostly follow people who interest me and initially I was skeptical but now am a fan of that. Friendships in general are weaker nowadays, but my closest 1 or 2 friends and I don’t interact on any of the internet media – we call or meet up. Overall, I think I have managed the social media situation well by keeping it peripheral.
It's sad I can't remember the last time I actually sat down and wrote someone a letter. My favorite (i'm totally being sarcastic here) are the Happy Birthday messages via facebook or texts ..... seriously people!! Pick up the bloody phone!
I agree with your conclusion about technology. I go through phases I think, with using technology to keep in touch, and then avoiding it. It's hard to keep pervasive tech at a distance, but I think most people's meaningful friendships come from effort on both sides. Good luck with your blogging decision.
Glad to see you back, and I totally get it. I'm making a conscious effort to write, call, and Skype more.
Cxx
I hardly message or comment at all on FB. I feel a certain kind of loyalty to blog friends because they seem to be interested in what I have to say...I think.
I find that technology has both helped and hindered my friendships.
I definitely don't call people very often any more. I don't really know why, either? It's so much more efficient than a series of texts!
However, I think without Facebook, my friends and I from high school would have lost each other. We depend a lot on our group wall to keep up.
I like the fact that I've met a lot of people via blogging who I never would have in a million years.
However, I waste way too much time on the 'net overall. I don't consider blogging a waste, but waiting for something to happen on Fbook is a big waste.
Glad you're back to blogging! :)
With my closest friends I make more of an effort - calling, getting together if I can and emailing. Facebook - I rarely comment and almost never update my status. There are people I want to keep in touch with on FB but overall, I prefer face-to-face contact.
Nothing beats meeting a good buddy for coffee and a good chat.
I hope you keep blogging, I miss you!
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