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How many of us here would rather email or text someone, than speak to them on the phone?
How many people on here, are sometimes nervous when dealing with people, especially people "higher up" than them (managers, teachers etc)?
I found at work recently, that I would much rather email a stranger, than phone them up. Admittedly I was dealing with sales people, when we just wanted an evaluation of a product, phoning a sales person is a bad move! So it was easier to email.
How many people have been nervous about asking a girl out (or something like that), and text them instead of asking face to face?
Quite a few I'd guess.
So, to the question in the title: Is technology making us more impersonal? Are we losing that vital "face to face" communication, as there are now so many other ways of doing it?
I think so.
I know some people in business, who would much prefer to fly to another country to deal with customers, than use video conferencing (which would also money).
Why? The much valued face to face effect.
Technology is making it easier to distance ourselves from each other.
Online shopping, online communication, online dating. Video conferencing, online mettings, remote networks - so you can just work at home, and upload your work to the office at 5.30pm.
In all areas, technology is reducing the amount of socialising (for wont of a better word) people do.
In all areas, except gaming, of course.
Gaming seems to be the exception. Before the internet really took off, and before gaming was "mass market", the only multiplayer you could do was "you and three mates round a telly playing bomberman" type scenario.
Well, think about it now. Online games, FPS and MMORPG's being the ones that spring to mind first. Complete strangers, from different countries sometimes, working together. As a team.
With broadband becoming more and more available, VoiceOverNET is becoming more popular. Talking to people while playing. Issuing commands, agreeing tactics, swearing at each other when it goes wrong.
But don't forget places like Yahoo! Where thousands of people meet to play other games; card games, battleships etc. Technology bringing people together. Think of us on here. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for technology.
It's not just online. Don't forget all the LAN parties that happen all over the country. People, complete strangers really, getting together, playing games. Having fun.
The same technology that's making people less sociable, is having the reverse affect on the gaming world.
Strange eh?
How many people on here, are sometimes nervous when dealing with people, especially people "higher up" than them (managers, teachers etc)?
I found at work recently, that I would much rather email a stranger, than phone them up. Admittedly I was dealing with sales people, when we just wanted an evaluation of a product, phoning a sales person is a bad move! So it was easier to email.
How many people have been nervous about asking a girl out (or something like that), and text them instead of asking face to face?
Quite a few I'd guess.
So, to the question in the title: Is technology making us more impersonal? Are we losing that vital "face to face" communication, as there are now so many other ways of doing it?
I think so.
I know some people in business, who would much prefer to fly to another country to deal with customers, than use video conferencing (which would also money).
Why? The much valued face to face effect.
Technology is making it easier to distance ourselves from each other.
Online shopping, online communication, online dating. Video conferencing, online mettings, remote networks - so you can just work at home, and upload your work to the office at 5.30pm.
In all areas, technology is reducing the amount of socialising (for wont of a better word) people do.
In all areas, except gaming, of course.
Gaming seems to be the exception. Before the internet really took off, and before gaming was "mass market", the only multiplayer you could do was "you and three mates round a telly playing bomberman" type scenario.
Well, think about it now. Online games, FPS and MMORPG's being the ones that spring to mind first. Complete strangers, from different countries sometimes, working together. As a team.
With broadband becoming more and more available, VoiceOverNET is becoming more popular. Talking to people while playing. Issuing commands, agreeing tactics, swearing at each other when it goes wrong.
But don't forget places like Yahoo! Where thousands of people meet to play other games; card games, battleships etc. Technology bringing people together. Think of us on here. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for technology.
It's not just online. Don't forget all the LAN parties that happen all over the country. People, complete strangers really, getting together, playing games. Having fun.
The same technology that's making people less sociable, is having the reverse affect on the gaming world.
Strange eh?
Interesting you should mention this.
Last night myself and a few friends were ordering pizza. After about a quater of an hour longer than it normally takes to be delivered, we were begining to wonder what was going on. One friend in particular came over to my room, mentioned how long it was taking, and suggested i call them. At the time, i was absorbed in ISS 2000, so i asked him if he'd do it. He replied that he didn't have the number, i pointed him to the company's fier on my desk. He mumbled something about not being bothered and shuffled out. I decided to leave it until half time.
It got me thinking though. I wouldn't call this person shy, but he has a habit of avoiding things like that - (sober) direct contact with people he doesn't know at all.
But to be honset i do the same sometimes, and even when i don't actually *do* the same, i'd often prefer not to have to make the call, or find the person. Even though it isn't a big effort, it feels like a lot of work.
I've since been trying to rationalise it. Thinking of YH's reference to asking out women, you can probably just put that down to fear of rejection, i think. But to me, fear of rejection by the pizza delivery guy isn't a big problem.
Also, shyness? I don't think that covers it - not exactly anyway. My friend, the example earlier, generally doesn't have a problem with people, at least after a litle (very little) initial contact.
So what is it that makes people so difficult at first? That drives people to the easy way out of avoiding face to face (or voice to voice) contact?
The typical american tv show stereotypical english figure occoured to me. Well spoken, stiff upper-lipped, and usually seemingly never able to relax and drop their guard, almost rendered socially impotent by polite refrain. Maybe there's just a little truth in that. Maybe we do see the 'proper way to act' as preventing openness with strangers.
And i guess if it keeps us from phoning the pizza guy, we really do have problems.
Last night myself and a few friends were ordering pizza. After about a quater of an hour longer than it normally takes to be delivered, we were begining to wonder what was going on. One friend in particular came over to my room, mentioned how long it was taking, and suggested i call them. At the time, i was absorbed in ISS 2000, so i asked him if he'd do it. He replied that he didn't have the number, i pointed him to the company's fier on my desk. He mumbled something about not being bothered and shuffled out. I decided to leave it until half time.
It got me thinking though. I wouldn't call this person shy, but he has a habit of avoiding things like that - (sober) direct contact with people he doesn't know at all.
But to be honset i do the same sometimes, and even when i don't actually *do* the same, i'd often prefer not to have to make the call, or find the person. Even though it isn't a big effort, it feels like a lot of work.
I've since been trying to rationalise it. Thinking of YH's reference to asking out women, you can probably just put that down to fear of rejection, i think. But to me, fear of rejection by the pizza delivery guy isn't a big problem.
Also, shyness? I don't think that covers it - not exactly anyway. My friend, the example earlier, generally doesn't have a problem with people, at least after a litle (very little) initial contact.
So what is it that makes people so difficult at first? That drives people to the easy way out of avoiding face to face (or voice to voice) contact?
The typical american tv show stereotypical english figure occoured to me. Well spoken, stiff upper-lipped, and usually seemingly never able to relax and drop their guard, almost rendered socially impotent by polite refrain. Maybe there's just a little truth in that. Maybe we do see the 'proper way to act' as preventing openness with strangers.
And i guess if it keeps us from phoning the pizza guy, we really do have problems.
I still think text messaging is a piece of crap though, and don't use it.
I hate being in a pub, or something, when someone sits looking at their phone all night, giggling, and sending messages. Words are better with friends, in my opinion.
Online gaming is still pretty anonymous though. You can play with people anywhere, but you don't necessarily know them. I guess that's why it doesn't appeal to me, playing with strangers only to stop and find myself alone would leave me cold. I'd rather stick to 2 players (or four sometimes) in the comfort of my home, with someone I feel comfortable with.
(Plus online gaming is for geeks anyway :-p )
I hate being in a pub, or something, when someone sits looking at their phone all night, giggling, and sending messages. Words are better with friends, in my opinion.
Online gaming is still pretty anonymous though. You can play with people anywhere, but you don't necessarily know them. I guess that's why it doesn't appeal to me, playing with strangers only to stop and find myself alone would leave me cold. I'd rather stick to 2 players (or four sometimes) in the comfort of my home, with someone I feel comfortable with.
(Plus online gaming is for geeks anyway :-p )
I don't think people use technology to communicate because they're shy, or scared, its simply because its a lot more practical. A lot of people work at computers these days - so its much easier just to type an email and click send, than pick up the phone.
However, you mentioned texting. I think in adults, it is still a lot more common to speak on your mobile than type on it - it is mainly teenagers who cant be bothered to do so. I think thats why so many people coming onto this site use shorthand typing - not 'net speak', these days its moire likely to be 'SMS speak'
However, you mentioned texting. I think in adults, it is still a lot more common to speak on your mobile than type on it - it is mainly teenagers who cant be bothered to do so. I think thats why so many people coming onto this site use shorthand typing - not 'net speak', these days its moire likely to be 'SMS speak'
Er, I don't think *twin* is the right word. You're nearly drawing your pension, and I'm just about reaching my prime!
:-p
:-p
YH - your first 4 paragraphs are errily familiar.
Are you *sure* you're not my long-lost evil twin?
Are you *sure* you're not my long-lost evil twin?
I used to hate speaking to teachers when I was at school. Don't know why, maybe you have to be scary to be a teacher?
*shrugs*
*shrugs*
Interestingly, and slightly on topic, I used to find that talking to managers was akin to going to the school staff room with a message for a teacher. Those things were like arcane places of weirdness when I was a kid, and thinking back to it, I was probably right to steer clear of them.
Funny thing was that after years of work and strange, high-up, bosses I went back and did teaching, then found myself in the same staff rooms, this time on the other side.
Once you understand that bosses are only people (however stuck-up they seem to be sometimes) you can pretty much wave goodbye to any fear of talking to them. Of course, there's still the stigma attached to talking to a giant area boss, something I don't hold with any more. I will decide if they are worthy of respect, but I won't just bow down to them.
Funny thing was that after years of work and strange, high-up, bosses I went back and did teaching, then found myself in the same staff rooms, this time on the other side.
Once you understand that bosses are only people (however stuck-up they seem to be sometimes) you can pretty much wave goodbye to any fear of talking to them. Of course, there's still the stigma attached to talking to a giant area boss, something I don't hold with any more. I will decide if they are worthy of respect, but I won't just bow down to them.
How many of us here would rather email or text someone, than speak to them on the phone?
How many people on here, are sometimes nervous when dealing with people, especially people "higher up" than them (managers, teachers etc)?
I found at work recently, that I would much rather email a stranger, than phone them up. Admittedly I was dealing with sales people, when we just wanted an evaluation of a product, phoning a sales person is a bad move! So it was easier to email.
How many people have been nervous about asking a girl out (or something like that), and text them instead of asking face to face?
Quite a few I'd guess.
So, to the question in the title: Is technology making us more impersonal? Are we losing that vital "face to face" communication, as there are now so many other ways of doing it?
I think so.
I know some people in business, who would much prefer to fly to another country to deal with customers, than use video conferencing (which would also money).
Why? The much valued face to face effect.
Technology is making it easier to distance ourselves from each other.
Online shopping, online communication, online dating. Video conferencing, online mettings, remote networks - so you can just work at home, and upload your work to the office at 5.30pm.
In all areas, technology is reducing the amount of socialising (for wont of a better word) people do.
In all areas, except gaming, of course.
Gaming seems to be the exception. Before the internet really took off, and before gaming was "mass market", the only multiplayer you could do was "you and three mates round a telly playing bomberman" type scenario.
Well, think about it now. Online games, FPS and MMORPG's being the ones that spring to mind first. Complete strangers, from different countries sometimes, working together. As a team.
With broadband becoming more and more available, VoiceOverNET is becoming more popular. Talking to people while playing. Issuing commands, agreeing tactics, swearing at each other when it goes wrong.
But don't forget places like Yahoo! Where thousands of people meet to play other games; card games, battleships etc. Technology bringing people together. Think of us on here. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for technology.
It's not just online. Don't forget all the LAN parties that happen all over the country. People, complete strangers really, getting together, playing games. Having fun.
The same technology that's making people less sociable, is having the reverse affect on the gaming world.
Strange eh?
How many people on here, are sometimes nervous when dealing with people, especially people "higher up" than them (managers, teachers etc)?
I found at work recently, that I would much rather email a stranger, than phone them up. Admittedly I was dealing with sales people, when we just wanted an evaluation of a product, phoning a sales person is a bad move! So it was easier to email.
How many people have been nervous about asking a girl out (or something like that), and text them instead of asking face to face?
Quite a few I'd guess.
So, to the question in the title: Is technology making us more impersonal? Are we losing that vital "face to face" communication, as there are now so many other ways of doing it?
I think so.
I know some people in business, who would much prefer to fly to another country to deal with customers, than use video conferencing (which would also money).
Why? The much valued face to face effect.
Technology is making it easier to distance ourselves from each other.
Online shopping, online communication, online dating. Video conferencing, online mettings, remote networks - so you can just work at home, and upload your work to the office at 5.30pm.
In all areas, technology is reducing the amount of socialising (for wont of a better word) people do.
In all areas, except gaming, of course.
Gaming seems to be the exception. Before the internet really took off, and before gaming was "mass market", the only multiplayer you could do was "you and three mates round a telly playing bomberman" type scenario.
Well, think about it now. Online games, FPS and MMORPG's being the ones that spring to mind first. Complete strangers, from different countries sometimes, working together. As a team.
With broadband becoming more and more available, VoiceOverNET is becoming more popular. Talking to people while playing. Issuing commands, agreeing tactics, swearing at each other when it goes wrong.
But don't forget places like Yahoo! Where thousands of people meet to play other games; card games, battleships etc. Technology bringing people together. Think of us on here. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for technology.
It's not just online. Don't forget all the LAN parties that happen all over the country. People, complete strangers really, getting together, playing games. Having fun.
The same technology that's making people less sociable, is having the reverse affect on the gaming world.
Strange eh?