Disconnected In A Connecting World Research Paper

Disconnected in a Connected World
Technology is supposed to connect us, but just take a look around and see how disconnected we truly are. Everywhere we go people are on their cell phones: texting, tweeting, and snapchatting. The list could go on. Someone we know could walk walk right by us and we might not even notice because our eyes are to focused on the screen. While technology has enriched our lives and extended our reach of communication, it has disconnected us from those around us because although is it supposed to keep us in touch, because of it, we have lost touch with those around us, it has become such a big part of our lives that we forget how to live without it, and we are less social, outgoing, and interactive because of it. Technology is a big part of our lives and it has disjointed us, even though it is supposed to keep us in touch, it has actually made us lose touch with the ones right beside us. For most people, our phones are in our hands at all times and they distract us from what matters most. We end up missing out on
vital face to face conversations with those right by us. Immediately on hearing our phone ring or buzz because of a text message we pick it up and reply; devaluing our current situation and family and friends around us, for something going on somewhere else that does not really matter. Additionally, it has become such a big part of our lives that we forget how to live without it.
For example, when going out to a restaurant look around and see how many people have their cell phones out. Going without our phone for an hour long dinner is something we can just not bare to do because we are afraid we are going to miss out on something going on somewhere else. Life is not lived as freely anymore, we can no longer get lost. Cherishing the moment in the exact moment is something we no longer do because we are too busy worrying about capturing it and saving it for later. Click, click goes the camera so we get a picture that we can post on Instagram later. “Hold on just a minute I have to tweet this”, is a too common phrase nowadays. We have a need to let everyone know what we are doing even if it as insignificant as showing off our fancy meal we had for dinner or letting everyone know that we just went to the
gym. Finally, our dependences on technology has made us less social, interactive, and outgoing. Our relationships with people are going down the drain. We text at dinner with our families, we text and drive, we text while we are with a group of friends. In an uncomfortable situation or with people we do not know, we simply pull out our phones and start scrolling through twitter, we start texting a friend we are not with instead of trying to start a conversation with the people around us. Instead of actually hanging out with friends, we just call or text them. It may seem easier, but because of it, we end up seeing our friends in person a lot less. Texts sent back and forth cannot compare to an hour talking over lunch, and a laughing face emoji may let us know that our friend thinks what we just sent them is funny, but it cannot replace the sound of their bellyaching laugh right in front of us. It is true that technology has enhanced our lives and extended our reach of communication. At anytime, we can get a in contact with anyone in the world. Boredom is no longer a problem because all we have to do is turn on the television or start playing a game on our phone. The possibilities are endless, but because of this, we do not socialize like we used too. Getting together with friends or family may seem like a chore because we would rather just text them instead. Personal connections with people are a must and with technology, they are slowly fading away. It is time to take a break from the technology that constantly surrounds us and spend time with the people near us instead. Indeed, while technology has changed our lives and helped our reach of communication, it has still detached us from what matters the most. Our relationships with the ones closest to us have suffered, we have become lost without it, and because of it we have become less communicable, united, and friendly. I think we all need to take some time away and unplug from the digital world. Let us embrace face to face conversations and start living life in the moment instead of trying to capture it and save it for later. For life at its best is happening right in front of us, not a screen.