My Technology Rant

Lately I am becoming more and more anti-technology. Cell phones, texting, IM, facebook, myspace all that stuff.

To begin with, texting. I find more and more that it frustrates me when someone tries to carry on a conversation with me purely through texting. I mean, texts are incredibly convenient when you have a quick question such as how is the weather or what time should we meet at or something, but to try and work out details for an activity or some such nonsense is just plain ridiculous. I thought that these things were supposed to make my life easier- so why is it so much more complicated? Bottom line here, if you are trying to iron out details or have a serious conversation with me through texts, I will pick up my phone and call you so that we can solve in a 10-15 minute conversation what would take over a dozen texts and still not be resolved..

IM, better but still not the same as a face to face conversation. Not a lot to say on that one, I use facebook chat frequently.

Cell phones, no one can need to talk to me so badly that it can't wait the 20 minutes until class or church are through. Cell phones are great, yes I have one and yes I use it frequently (to text as well!) but there is a time and place. I think cell phones are almost necessary if you travel a lot or long distances, don't be caught with a dead battery! But really, do I need to carry it everywhere I go? This is not meant to offend anyone, simply observations about myself and others that I've noticed.

Face to face conversations are the best--not every single time you need to tell someone something, sometimes a text or phone call is more appropriate. However, if you want to have a serious relationship (of any kind, not just romantic) you have be able to communicate through something more than just electronic devices. It is easier to communicate because you can read the other person's facial expressions and body language. Non verbal communication can change the whole mood or swing of a conversation. This is something that is lacking in IM, texts and even phone calls.

To try and wrap up this long post (if you're even still reading it, ha ha) I'm not entirely anti technology, just anti how dependent we as a society are becoming on electronic communications becoming the only way we relate to each other. Sometimes just sitting around on the porch or roof on a nice day shooting away at the breeze is one of the best ways to establish long lasting relationships and understanding with one another.