So Are We Guilty?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I like this fellow's career advice columns although I am surely not looking for a career. This week he talks about something that really bothers me in others and yet to some degree I too suffer from technology obsession. Is DK included I wonder? Anyway here is a link to an article to ponder.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/jobs/career-coach/commentary-part-3-ob...

His Commentary II was on communication skills in young folks, another bugaboo for me.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/jobs/career-coach/commentary-part-2-ho...d

The first commentary was on Gen V, as in virtual:

http://www.reviewjournal.com/jobs/career-coach/commentary-part-1-ge...

All in all I wonder what people are becoming. Are they losing the ability to connect without devices? Losing the ability to speak in sentences? Where is all this leading us? Yet, this follows Cheryl's blog about our DK community and the friendships we've made and all we have learned from being here. Something to think about anyway. And yes, like the author I risk coming off as an old curmudgeon. My sister sent me this cartoon a while back after I had a spat with a  cousin, one generation after me, who was checking out not one, but two phones, as we waited for dinner. It made me laugh and is apropos for this blog and for dog owners I think.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes Doris, people skills are falling by the wayside.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

As the mother of a 21-year old daughter, I have always struggled with her need to always be "connected."  She checks FB, IM and Twitter constantly and takes pride that she doesn't miss a thing...or so she thinks. Quite a bit of life happens when she's looking at her phone.  I don't think she is unusual for her those in her age group.  What I don't like is the impatient quality that she now possesses.  She needs to know things NOW -- she needs info NOW, verification NOW, replies NOW.  I am thankful that my son never felt the need to be as connected to his friends and outside world as she does.  Regarding the workplace, my DH has a hard time finding young salesmen who can actually TALK on the phone.  Salesmen who want to text their customers rather than call and ASK for the customer's business usually don't last long. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Everything does travel like wildfire and in a sense anyone can get published. It does seem easier to inadvertently or purposely fool people. And Jane, you know I loooove google. Truly I wonder how I lived without it..

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

What I worry about regarding technology, specifically the internet, is that people are too quick to believe EVERYTHING they read.  Of course, this is not technology's fault - it's the fact that too many people are unable (or unwilling) to think critically. In the past month, two of my "friends" on Facebook have posted satirical "news" items as if the information were true.  The posters were outraged at the "facts" presented, shared the post on their Facebook page, undoubtedly causing outrage in others reading the shared post.  What's tragic is that people form opinions and make decisions based on misinformation.  Yes, there was misinformation prior to the internet.  It was just not disseminated as quickly or as widely as it is now! 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I feel (as Joanne says) that it's just the opposite.  For me, technology is truly an enabler....it keeps me constantly curious and with a way to actually GET answers (or at least opinions from which I can formulate my own answer). I think back to many women in my Mom's generation....her world was the "over the clothesline" conversation with the neighbor, an occasional book and daytime soaps.  Like anything else....I think it's all about balance.  I LOVE technology.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good point Sheri.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I love the cartoon.  Haven't read the article yet, but I just wanted to say that I think our time here on DK doesn't make us guilty because one of the things that we all enjoy the most is when we or someone else actually gets to meet in real life and have a real life conversation!  DK is just what brought us together rather than what separates us.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Joanne you have said it all in that last comment.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

But I LOVE THE CARTOON.  Maybe we should carry an emergency inflatable cone in our purses for circumstances just like this!

One more note to add...... Etiquette.  I don't think technology is ruining our communications skills, I think many have just forgotten their manners!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Before I read any of it, I will say, that a few years ago I had to research this very topic. I thought for sure technology was ruining communication, vocabulary, spelling, and the entire next generation.

Most of the research articles I found said the opposite!   Many are complaining and a lot of non-research articles are saying everything was ruined.  But the educational articles and research done so far, is not finding  this to be true at all.