All in ConTEXT

Though technology has had many positive impacts on our life-styles, it has also had negative implications.  Texting, specifically has become an issue.  Let's face it, we cannot live without our cell phones.  In fact, we can't even remember what we did without them.  It's hard to believe that something that was introduced within our lifetime has changed the world we live in so much.  Although cell phones help us to keep in touch, in some ways, they harm our face to face interactions.


First, it has surely changed how we interact socially with one another.  Before cell phones, we had no choice but to focus on the person, or people, we were with.  Now, people go to dinner with one friend only to text another the entire time.  In COMM 118, we discussed a phenomenon where two people are interacting and one person gets a text message.  They begin ignoring the person they are with and focusing on their phone.  The other person then checks their phone because they are being neglected by the other person.  This is something that I have noticed in life after discussing it in class.  As someone who is a little old fashioned compared to most of my peers, I find it particularly frustrating when I am trying to talk to someone and they are too busy texting someone else (or playing Angry Birds) to listen to what I am saying.  I have heard of a couple methods to combat this.  One, everyone places their phone face down in the middle of the table when at a restaurant.  The first one to cheat and look at their phone covers the check.  Another option is to collect everyone's phone at the beginning of a gathering and place them in a container as seen below.  

Though these ideas seem a little extreme, I do believe it is the only way to get someone's full attention in today's world.  When you really think about it, we're all so "connected," but at the same time, we really aren't at all.  

Another issue that has come with the increasing popularity of texting is the danger that arises when this type of communication is done while driving.  Pennsylvania recently passed a law making this act illegal, but it remains dangerous as this type of law is very difficult to enforce.  Many people think that they have somehow mastered this "skill."  I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times: "But I'm good at texting and driving, nothing will happen to me."  Check out this video where Oprah puts three avid texters to the test behind the wheel.  It just may change your outlook on this activity.  


Text responsibly.  It's important for both your well-being and your relationships. 

Change: For Better or Worse

Social media has without a doubt changed the way we make and maintain friendships.  The question is, is this change positive, negative, or perhaps a mix of both? 

In my opinion, it is a mix of both.  Lisa Reichelt, a user experience consultant, created the expression, “ambient intimacy.”  According to Reichelt, ambient intimacy describes how social media allows us “to keep in touch with people with a level of regularity and intimacy that you wouldn’t usually have access to, because time and space conspire to make it impossible.”  I’m sure you can think of an example of how social media has improved your connection with someone that you can’t see or speak with on a regular basis.  Personally, I know that social media has helped me to improve my relationship with long distance relatives as well as maintain contact with some of my friends from high school. 

Though social media undeniably has its benefits, it also has negative aspects.  In the clip below, the changing definition of “friend” is discussed.  Though circles of friends are growing, they are becoming segmented into separate groups, which can make it difficult to integrate all groups into “real-life.” The news clip also discusses how to tell true friends from fake friends in a world where the definition of “friend.”

    Modern day friendships: Social media's influence: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Social media has also changed the way we present ourselves to the world.  In the movie, “He’s Just Not That Into You,”  Mary (Drew Barrymore) discusses her frustration with how social media has changed the dating scene.  She says: “Things have changed. People don’t just meet organically anymore.  If I want to make myself more attractive to the opposite sex, I don’t go get a new haircut, I update my profile.  That’s just how it is.”  Though this is especially true for dating websites, it is also true in other forms of social media.

The bottom line is that social media has changed the world, for better or worse.