Exercise: Write a Commentary or Editorial. Consider submitting what your write to your local newspaper. The article below is a commentary I am working on about how communication is changing due to technology.
The two teens sat side by side at the luncheon. Heads bent, they each held a cell phone. I watched their bizarre social interaction with initial amusement, which soon turned to concern for all humanity. The youth never looked at one another. Their fingers flew over keys, each texting the other. Every now and then the girl would nudge the boy with her elbow or the boy would say, “Good one,” and laugh in the girl’s direction. They were together, but not. It reminded me of the 2008 Pixar movie WALL-E, where humans zoomed around on automated lounge chairs affixed with virtual screens, each completely focused on a digital image of the person they were speaking to, yet never having a real face-to-face encounter. In fact, they did not know how to handle real life situations, having only lived in virtual ones.
Are we trading human relationships for cyber ones? And if so, what’s the cost?
This article is not yet finished.
I can't even imagine what life is like for kids since the internet, facebook, twitter, blogging, texting -it's a completely new world. But the danger of losing contact with real people is a serious one and I look forward to reading more of your take on the subject.
ReplyDeleteI was also thinking about the ear pieces for cell phones now that are practically invisible. When people are out shopping and talking on their phones I sometimes think they are talking to me and when I say something back, they look at me like I'm the crazy one! There's a guy I've seen a couple times on my runs and he's walking and talking - I think to himself, but I can't be sure. How am I supposed to recognize the crazies now?
ReplyDeleteI'm still working on finishing this piece, but wanted to leave a comment to Brianna's last one. Once in a bathroom stall I answered a woman who I thought was talking to me (however weird that is). She was on the phone.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, I have to draw the line somewhere. No cellphones in the bathroom. New rule...pass it on!