Living in the 21st century has its perks, the potential for social connectivity being one of the biggest. In just a few seconds I can connect with anyone from my neighbor down the street to my college roomate in California to my best friend living in Spain. Not only that, but we can connect with their friends and their friends, knowing people on Facebook whom we've never met, but have some infinitesimal connection with through an acquaintance we talked to once.
An amazing feat-yes. But it has its drawbacks. I'm thinking of all those times I've met a friend for tea and found myself talking to his forehead because whoever posted on facebook or sent him that text about the movie later just couldn't wait.
It's true that our cellphones and Ipads make it easier for colleagues, friends, and family to contact us. And with availability comes dependability. It's become harder and harder to make the excuse "So sorry, I missed your call," when practically everyone is glued to their phone. When a person doesn't pick up, it's not only a point of frustration, but also of abandonment. Why didn't he pick up, we wonder. He has his phone, what could be more important? Those complaints are justifiable with certain people-a best friend, perhaps, a boss, or a parent.
It worries me, though, what this does to our social lives. When half of my time spent with a friend is spent on my cellphone, am I really showing that I care for him, or am I showing that there are more interesting people out there I'd rather talk to? I'd say it's the latter. The continuous vibrations from the phone sitting on the dinner table breaks up the flow of conversation. Instead of focusing on the flesh and blood person before us, our attentions are turned to the five hundred virtual people posting online.
With the understanding that this might appear outdated to many modern gurus of the day, I'd suggest we turn off our cellphones when we go grab lunch. Let's share a meal with the people sitting next to us, not the people in our pocket.
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