I not saying get rid of technology either (I love it and probably embrace to be honest), but just want to balance it with human interaction, a couple of live conversations (roommates, a waitress friend from Triffons, a phone call, another live conversation about Dollhouse and how it relates to God) and it's all good! Feelin' much better about technology now that there's a bit more balance back into my day.
Here's a video that just shows how hard it is for us to interact with one another, although embracing a stranger can be hard for sure.
I think this is a great post! I cannot agree with you more, I think, too, that technology should be a supplementary tool for communication - nothing can and should replace face-to-face interaction, no matter how real it can seem in today's virtual age. I can't resist relating this to politics: candidates will get some support by following candidates/politicians on Twitter, Facebook and social media websites, but nothing will replace meeting them in person, or receiving a signed letter. I think that we, as teachers, should continue to remind our students that we cannot lose the ability of connecting with someone else in real life; technology cannot be a replacement for social skills and face-to-face interacting. Would you agree?
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ReplyDeleteI would have to agree Brennen. We need to interact with one another on social levels, in the physical, non-virtual world just for our own health and sanity. Our students, and for those of us who will one day have children, will grow up in a world that involves interfacing with technology on levels that simply don't yet exist today, I'm sure that will be both a curse and a blessing. Perhaps we'll come to a place where the physical and virtual world can be very fluid where you can "give someone a real hug" from thousands of miles away.
ReplyDeleteBut still we are hard wired to be involved in communities not soloists in front of screens. Man I just went back to my parents farm and took a walk, so beautiful being outside. Our kids need to be taught the importance of the natural world, how vital that is for their very survival and be encouraged to balance it with time online. Best to you and thanks for the comments, they came at a great time. :)