Wired telephones have disappeared from millions of American homes. Compact discs are dying as iPods and downloadable music make the purchase of a CD unnecessary. It is virtually impossible to find a VHS player even though most adults still own VHS tapes. Now, even the plain DVD is becoming old-fashioned . Many new movies are issued on HD Blu-Ray, with a DVD copy thrown in for free. 3D televisions will hit the mass market in time for the holidays.
Try to find a cell phone that is just that: a phone without Internet, streaming video and audio capabilities. You don't text? Really? Why not? To call one of these computers-in-your-hand a phone is not very accurate. 70% of kids prefer to communicate non-verbally, meaning text messaging or using social media like Facebook and Twitter. Almost 3 million texts are sent every single day in the United States. The average American teen sends and receives over 3,000 text messages a month. Another startling number for you to consider: 25% of teens admit to texting while sitting at the dinner table. My experience is 100% text during a movie.
So, what is the problem? Technology makes it easier, cheaper, and quicker to move vast amounts of information. The consumer has almost total control of how and when he accesses that information and entertainment. The problem is we are losing the ability to engage in a verbal conversation.
In such a world the ability to listen to someone else while watching for smiles or frowns or confused looks is gone. Emotion and physical reactions are impossible to perceive when reading words on a 2 inch screen. Building a true friendship in a 140 character tweet can't be done. All this leads to a breakdown of civil dialogue and exchanges. People are becoming used to expressing opinions and feelings in rapid shorthand. The ability to listen politely and respond with respect is disappearing.
I am not likely to do more than stick my finger in a dike with multiple holes. But, I would like to offer some reasons why conversation (the verbal kind) is important. A recent national study that caught my eye noted there are 5 things we can do each day to improve our mental well being:
1) Connect with others. Make human contact.
2) Be active. Get off your duff and do something.
3) Be curious about the world. Ask questions and try new stuff.
4) Keep learning to keep your mind functioning at peak efficiency.
5) Give some of yourself to others. Share.
Guess which one human activity covers all five...verbal conversation. Talking with someone causes you to connect with another person. You are face-to-face, making contact with another human being. In doing so you will be active. You will generate and show emotion. You will gesture with your hands. Your voice will rise and fall. Your ears will hear the sound of a human voice.
Unless you only have conversations with yourself, and those don't really count, you will encounter something that is new or different. Something in the conversation will cause you to become curious. Maybe you wonder how the other person could be so wrong. Maybe he or she will tell you about a trip they took that prompts you to ask about that place. Or, maybe it will be as mundane as what is a good place for sushi. It is impossible to talk to someone and not have your curiosity triggered.
To participate in a conversation your mind has to be functioning at a certain level. Processing the words, thinking about what was meant, and then forming a logical response takes brain cells. You will learn something about the other person based on what is said. You will learn something about yourself based on your reaction to what is being said.
By listening and responding, you are giving your time and attention to another. Unlike texting or voice mail, you can't pretend to not be there. You are there as part of the dialogue. By actively participating you are showing respect for the other person. You don't have to agree with what is being said. But, the simple act of listening and responding shows you care enough about the other person to be there.
The average person speaks around 8,000 words a day. Using those words to establish and build friendships, strengthen business relationships, and maintain a healthy marriage all while helping to improve your mental health makes exercising your verbal skills during conversation time well spent. The ability to listen to someone else's words intently and genuinely care what they are saying is paying that person the ultimate compliment.
Texting, cell phones, and social media have their place. Most of us would not choose to give them up. They can enhance communication. What they shouldn't do is replace face-to-face communication. Physically being with another person and communicating is a large part of being human.
I worry that the skills of reflective listening and forming appropriate verbal responses are skills not being passed on to younger generations. Texting is to good communication what McDonald's is to fine dining. They may be in the same family but the results are quite different.
Am I old-fashioned? Is it better to reduce chatter and communicate as efficiently as possible? I'm afraid you can't text me your answer, but you could leave a written comment below.
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10/17 Late Addition: Just appearing in a USA Today story about changes over the next 40 years: a man is trying to explain to his teenage daughter the importance of face-to-face communication. But, because of Facebook, "she could not grasp it." My point, exactly!
Very true and equally sad. To me someone texting while I am supposedly in a conversation with them sends the message that I am not as important as the recipient of the text. And you make a good point that without seeing the person you are "communicating" with, you will miss non verbal clues. How many times have we had to explain an email that because of a lack of personal interaction was misinterpreted? I am all for text messages from my kids to quickly update me during the week. But face to face is how we were made to interact.
ReplyDeleteTalking with someone who instantly responds to a bleep or ring on their phone is amazingly rude. Yet, as you note, people do it without thinking. The message they are sending is whoever is on the phone is potentially more interesting and important than you.
ReplyDeleteExplaining what was really meant by an e-mail is a real problem. Misinterpretation is always a fear. I probably spend more time proofing and rewording an e-mail than any other form of communication for exactly that reason.
Thanks, Dave. You have highlighted two very important arguments for face-to-face contact.
In general, I hate texting. That said, as someone who travels, has semi dependent kids that work at odd hours and so on, its an effective tool for brief one line communications (like, feed the dog tonite, or youre on your own for dinner, or, come pick me up) without interrupting work or other conversations. I have to say I adore my smart phone, expecially since it has a built in navigator, Ha!! PS-as someone who lived overseas and has family members all over the us and globe, I suspect the same is probably true of facebook. Its certainly easier for niece to post on friday nite to her facebook group that someone stole her bike at school, than to email or call everyone.
ReplyDeleteI can certainly see the advantage of texting in certain situations. So, I'm moving toward joining the rest of the world, I guess.
ReplyDeleteWhat worries me is texting replacing virtually all face-to-face communication. I have a niece who texts her mother in the next room about dinner plans! That is scary.
There is a place for all new technology. I wonder if they will be additive to other forms of communication, or end up replacing them.
that's so true
ReplyDeletethanks for the insight
Thanks for stopping by, Farouk. Maybe our goal can be to have one face-to-face conversation a day.
ReplyDeleteJust started my own retirement blogspot under Retired Photo Guy. I like you page setup and hope to use some of that tech stuff you talk about to be able to make my site look as good as your. By the way, I agree with what you said; even if I have to write it.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I found you on Retiree Blogs
Welcome, Al. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Yes, we do write about talking. There is a certain irony in that.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your new blog effort. I have found it a tremendous amount of fun and a way to meet all sorts of interesting people.
My wife and I are seriously considering starting a new blog to exhibit some of her photos. Maybe we'll get to share tips with you.
I had to give up and get text messaging on my phone because 3 of our 4 kids would rather communicate this way so it's easier to get in touch with them. One daughter in CA sends pictures of her 1 year old through text messaging nearly every day so it's a convenience that way.
ReplyDeleteWe still have a land line phone too but probably in our next house, our retirement home, we won't have one.
I still value the written word though and there's something really more personal about getting a letter in the mail, which is truly rare these days.
I have to admit however, I love my iPod! I listen to audio books when I walk every day and, even though I love reading, I've found I can appreciate good writing even more when I hear it spoken. Also, being as busy as I am, I don't have much time to sit down and read a book anymore.
I am now starting an active search for a smart phone. I'm coming around to the realization that texting and being able to access e-mail when I'm not at home is important.
ReplyDeleteBut, none of that can replace real interaction and conversations with others. Emotion and feeling cannot be adequately conveyed on a computer screen.
Dave, at LoveBeingRetired, had a recent post about his iPad. That may be next. But, I think I'll always prefer a physical book for the bulk of my reading for pleasure.