I was born in 1974, so I'm not a youngster, nor one of the old fogeys. And I agree with most of what I read in the article. (It is a bit maudlin and one-sided, yes. But the article voiced many concerns and observations I've made in the last few years myself.)
I am not a technology hater. But I'm definitely not part of the "We" in the article; people who constantly text & use the internet 24/7. I do spend too much time at my computer and I do sometimes listen to music when walking someplace. But when I'm around a friend, I want them, not the constantly available internet and the obviously less important app on a device. I've always valued being listened to. Really listened to. Maybe youngsters don't know what that is? I want to be interested in someone and get that in return, not the pathetic illusion that people "care" because they "like" you online. Long email "conversations" I'm okay with; it's an extension of people exchanging letters with distant loved ones. And IM can be like a conversation, sure. But when a person is there, in person, and wants to say something, you should pause what you are doing and listen. Is that not obvious any longer?
Recently when I was around friends who in the past were good conversationalists, I sadly found them to be glued to their devices and not really there and available to talk and listen. Face to face conversation is not something humans can afford to evolve out of.
So not a balanced article, sure. She's lamenting about something that bothers her, and she has legitimate reasons, even if nostalgia for the good ol' days is coloring her observations. How to make it better? Not sure. Make more throat clearing in the presence of zombies praying with their thumbs to the god(s) of Facebook & twitter...
I am not a technology hater. But I'm definitely not part of the "We" in the article; people who constantly text & use the internet 24/7. I do spend too much time at my computer and I do sometimes listen to music when walking someplace. But when I'm around a friend, I want them, not the constantly available internet and the obviously less important app on a device. I've always valued being listened to. Really listened to. Maybe youngsters don't know what that is? I want to be interested in someone and get that in return, not the pathetic illusion that people "care" because they "like" you online. Long email "conversations" I'm okay with; it's an extension of people exchanging letters with distant loved ones. And IM can be like a conversation, sure. But when a person is there, in person, and wants to say something, you should pause what you are doing and listen. Is that not obvious any longer?
Recently when I was around friends who in the past were good conversationalists, I sadly found them to be glued to their devices and not really there and available to talk and listen. Face to face conversation is not something humans can afford to evolve out of.
So not a balanced article, sure. She's lamenting about something that bothers her, and she has legitimate reasons, even if nostalgia for the good ol' days is coloring her observations. How to make it better? Not sure. Make more throat clearing in the presence of zombies praying with their thumbs to the god(s) of Facebook & twitter...