I Need Your Touch…..AND Time

I truly appreciate the positive aspects of technology.  I’m not one of those who yearn for the “good ol’ days.” Who wants to live in world without some of the things we enjoy today that enhance our lives and makes them safer and healthier? Not me.  But, I do enjoy reading and hearing about how folks lived “back in the day” – always have and always will. Appreciating history helps you understand the present and plan for the future, I believe.

However, I also believe that some of us are allowing technology to take the place of “face time” that is critical to the development of deep relational connections. Texting, tweeting and talking on the phone are all efficient ways to stay connected but they will never take the place of being able to touch and see the person with whom you have a relationship – whether it is a familial, friendly or romantic one. We all need to feel a physical connection with those we care about – and they with us – and the only way to do that is to put whatever device you are tethered to down and focus on that person.

I read an article in USA Today that talks about our obsession with technology. The quote that really jumped out at me in the article was this one:

“What stands out today as a gesture is the handwritten note or shutting off your phone to sit and talk with someone,” Rainie says. “We’re navigating new spaces with new norms of etiquette.”

How sad that simple good manners “stands out” as something abnormal.  Anyway, I thought that the article made some good points and I wanted to share it with you:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2011-08-21-obsession-with-technology_n.htm