Functionality?  Connection? Or would you consider AVOIDANCE?

Cell phones have taken over conversation.  Humans no long speak to one another, no longer listen to one another. We are caught up in this persistent wave of technology. Enters your family for Thanksgiving dinner and what is held in each hand? Not an offered handshake, not flowers, not candy…no!  Hands are carrying the cell phones already on! Wireless computers are clutched in the other hand. Instead of greeting the person whose home has been entered, we immediately connect to the handheld device instead of greeting the relative or friend that we have traveled to see! The very object that should increase our human connection with others is decreasing it right before our eyes!  As the receiver of this action, we find ourselves attempting to pry their eyelids away from the electronic device long enough for them to spit out a hello!

Christmas rolls around and steeped in commercialism, we forget that we are here to celebrate LIFE and the Christ child. Once again…the day has been overrun by hurried meals and a rush to the High Definition Modem for the latest in sports, as we place all of our energy and strength into the team that we want to win! And once again, we can not bear to listen to Aunt Sue speak about her day…because her loneliness would expect a reply from us…and it is much easier to press the button for a new channel!  While in another room, the young adults are catching up on the episodes that they missed on the High Resolution Definition Cable TV! Technology has once again defeated us!

The small talk is no longer important. The idiosyncrasies of this cousin or aunt are no longer considered.  Our little bits of humanity that once identified us as unique organisms on this planet Earth have become oblivious and unimportant to the new brain wave. I venture to say we are becoming less human!  Our generation is becoming more disconnected than previously.  In addition to the physical distance pulling families apart– the mileage now has entered the room in the form of a small, electronic device!

Easter is trying hard to keep up with the consumers–now we have Hallmark chickens that, with a push of a button, lay an egg before our eyes!  In any case, how did it come about that Easter rabbits brought chicken eggs?  Dare I have the family gathering only to be struck down with the wireless taking over?  Can I bear that humiliation that a computer screen is more worth their time?

Family gatherings we now suspend, as to technology our minds and hearts bend!  We are trapped in “rabbitization of humanity,” masking our humanity with the false impression of connection, with the rapidity of our fingers texting across the keys, seeking someone out there in cyberland, while ignoring the person smack in front of us!”Hurry, hurry, [we] can’t be late!” …the rabbit from Alice’s Wonderland foresaw the world we did now create! “No time to say hello, goodbye, I’m late, I’m late for a very important date” could be transposed to “No time to say hello, goodbye, I’m texting, I’m texting, for my cyberfilled life!”

We do not appreciate the presence of one another but are drawn to the incredible illusion of “being with” someone on the cell phone as we text. How rude we have become as a people, as a nation — never happy with the present or the one present. That is exactly what this behavior is saying. The younger generation does not want to hear it but it is quite true!  After conducting several self-imposed surveys of young adults, the conclusion that I have come to is that texting alleviates the ability to respond.  We do not share our true feelings or colors. We can avoid the other person when we text.  Texting is impersonal and gets us off the hook. We can mask our response because our voice will not betray us.

Humanity is improved?  I think not! We have no time to stop and look into one another’s eyes…we have no time to hear the words of those with whom we speak…we do not meet….while our cell phones get the last tweak!

Despite the increase of a seeming connection, a rudeness abounds that lacks the affection!

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© 2012 Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com

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