James Reilly, a 24-year-old copywriting student at the Chicago Portfolio school decided to go 90 days, or 3 months without any form of social media communication, such as Facebook, Twitter, Emails, and even Cell phones.
While doing so, James exclaimed, "I would sit in the park a lot, throw the football with my friends, go ice-skating, and all that kind of silly stuff that you take for granted. It's all around you. I think that was the best part and most people really overlook that." Without social media, James really got out and did active things that most people wouldn't even think of doing because they are inside and on the computer all day. This quote, for me, really sums up what Facebook and social media blinds people from seeing, "...silly stuff that you take for granted." Being outside, playing sports, running, are all things that we forget about doing because we spend so much time on our phones or computers.
Reilly, after being asked this question, "Do you think that those who rely so heavily on social media to interact with others are training themselves to communicate only at the most superficial level?" answered, "...it's superficiality on top of superficiality. You never get to see the real parts of people." I think that communicating through social media, although very convenient, does take away the "real parts of people" and is a place for people to be in some ways fake.
I have to say, even though I agree with Reilly and think that life would be so much different, quite possibly in a good way, without Facebook and other social media tools, I would have a difficult time living without my phone or computer. It kind of makes me sad to think that the society we live in is ALL social media based. Facebook is the newest place for artists, celebrities, products, and TV shows to attract and sell their products. People now don't ever need to leave the house to learn about the outside world. My life after school sort of revolves around Facebook and my phone and after reading this, maybe I'll try and change that! What do you think? Could you go 3 months without any contact with friends or family other then hand-written letters and face to face interactions. I haven't written a letter in maybe 10 years, and after reading this maybe I will. Receiving a letter would be cool!
8 comments:
Technology, social media in particular, may have its drawbacks, but it is vastly beneficial in other ways as well. The internet is inevitably going to be the medium for news in the future and it allows people to gather bundles of information nearly instantaneously. People use social media to spread news stories that they want to share with friends and the spread of information can lead to a more educated public. However, we seem to take these things for granted and instead use it to perpetuate laziness. Social media is convenient and I'm sure if our Founding Fathers had access to even a fraction of our media technology, the election process would be quite different(no electoral college,maybe?).
Media has taken over our lives and has its positives and negatives. It is easy to lose track of time and end up spending hours on Facebook and other internet sites when it would clearly be more beneficial to get out and do something productive like Reilly did. However, the plus is that we can communicate so quickly with other people whenever we want, even long-distance friends. I do agree that communicating through media does make it easier for people to be fake, and it is important to still interact with the outside world in person.
A few people I know have attempted to deactivate their facebook accounts and other website accounts, but these attempts eventually ended with the people giving in to social networking. Social networking and it's hold on the general population is undeniable, and for many people it has negative impacts on their quality of life. However, I agree with Vinh, Social Media's positive aspects outweigh the negative aspects.
I don't really understand what the attraction to Facebook is. Unlike what Taylor brought up, I have never lost track of time, mindlessly browsing Facebook. Personally, the only benefit I find Facebook and other forms of online networking is that it convenient when I need to get a hold of people whose phone numbers and emails I do not have. However, I would not want to go for extended periods of time without technology. I believe that we have coexisted with technology for so long that it has become parts of our lives and something that will never go away. Experimenting technology deprivation is entertaining but not everyone would be willing to go live with the Amish.
I feel that as with most things, technology has its positives and negatives. With the internet and various means of communication and sharing of information, whether through Facebook, email, Twitter, Youtube, phones, etc., staying in touch with more people has become easier and quicker. Sites such as Youtube also allow rising singers/actors/comedians to showcase their talents and utilize technology as a means to share their passions and hopefully be recognized for their interests.
However, benefits aside, technology in all its forms has disadvantages. As Thomas mentioned, technology is perhaps a more superficial way of communicating with others. As opposed to hanging out in person or having face-to-face talks, internet chats or text messages have become very popular means of communication that while convenient, may only portray limited sides of people.
Considering both positives and negatives, technology is undoubtedly playing a larger role in our lives. Social aspects aside, technology is becoming integral in practically all aspects of life, including academics. Teachers require papers to be typed and printed, not handwritten. Teachers communicate with students via email when not in school. Projects are assigned that require internet research.
Overall, I think technology can be great and can serve many purposes and benefits but needs to be used in moderation.
Technology is becoming a huge problem in the United States. Teens are taking it for granted when they can actually be out doing stuff with their family and friends instead of always being inside away from reality. Its good to go on the computer once in a while, but you shouldn't surround your life with it. Live life to the fullest and you should not take it for granted. Appreciate the little things you have in life. Its depressing that people don't even leave their house now a days since they can get updated with everything in life on their computer or Tv.
Although it is true that technology has taken over most young adult lives, if a teenager were to give up technology for a couple months, I doubt there would be someone who wasn't lazy enough to still be their friend. Teenagers have gotten lazy because of the technology that is out there. Instead of writing a letter, you send a text, and instead of going to tell someone exciting news, you post it all over Facebook. Technology has led people to be more detached from friends, maybe even leading to less intimate relationships. I give him credit for going 3 months without technology and showing who your true friends are, and even winning back a girlfriend.
In today's society, technology has integrated itself into people's lives, especially the younger generation. While social media networks allows communication to become easier and more convenient, most of the people we communicate with aren't really that far away from us. The only exception would be if the other person is in another state, or another country. Reilly is kind of right though; "social media, although very convenient, does take away the "real parts of people"". If you talk to someone in person, you can usually see their emotions, as opposed to typing a message, and just reading the text (emoticons don't help THAT much). However, saying that "most people stay inside on their computers all day" is slightly exaggerating. There are still people who do sports (after school). Reilly's "experiment" shows that it is possible to live with technology as a small part in our lives (or not at all). I agree with Jacqueline. Using technology is beneficial, but it should be used in moderation and not consume our lives.
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