Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Sharing is Caring



(I could only record 60 seconds)

The overuse of cell phones – or any phone for that matter – is another illustration of this faux-sharing concept. When talking or texting over a phone you may be conveying information but are you truly sharing? You cannot in fact see facial expressions or body movements over the phone – two mediums of expression that are essential with human interaction.

So, my question to you is, how much do we share these days? Does modern technology aid in the sharing process or are we just fooling ourselves?

26 comments:

Daniela said...

I think that technology helps us but it can also harm us when sharing ideas. When we are just sharing ideas it doesn’t really matter if they are true or not, they are your ideas and that’s it. I think that when it comes to someone’s idea that is like their imagination, it doesn’t have to be true or false. Ideas are what people believe in, they can think that the sky is green when it’s really blue, but that’s their perception of the sky. For sharing ideas with technology it doesn’t harm us I think it just helps people think differently when we see somebody else’s perspectives about topics and ideas on how to do things or how they think something is. But when it comes to sharing facts then technology those make it a bit harder to believe it. For example Wikipedia, this page is not always a page you want to relay on because any one can write whatever they feel like writing and a lot of times it can be false. But there are also pages that have true information in them. For example pages that are .edu are very relay able on. They are from schools and educational. You can trust their information and you will get it right for that project you have to do or whatever you need that info for. So I think that sharing ideas or information through technology is both helpful and also harmful towards us.

M McClenney said...

I completely agree with you in that we are missing a huge part of interaction, facial expressions and body movement. Often times I have been talking to someone and the entire meaning of what I say is lost due to the person not being able to hear the tone of my voice and see my facial expression. I have often times gotten into trouble due to people missing the meaning because by nature I am a sarcastic person and this cannot be conveyed in a text message.

In response to the question I think we share basic ideas but still in order to get to know someone or feel close to them you must be in close contact with them and see them face to face. Also I feel that modern technology is definitely fooling us into thinking that we are sharing information when in reality we aren't.

Josh said...

I believe that we are fooling ourselves. When texting or emailing or talking over the phone its not the same, you dont recieve the same interaction as you do in person. I truly believe that texting, facebook, and media only lead to less interactions and can give a false image as well as create a physical void. Texting and so called "sharing" have ruined the concept of true relationships. It just isnt the same to text someone. You cant see them and actually hear them speak and look into their eyes, shake their hand, or give them a hug. Its just a little transmit through the global jumble of technology.

Nicole S. said...

As much as I text, I would rather be face to face with the person I talk to. All of my friends pretty much know that if I would like to talk to them about a situation, getting the story through a text message would barely be any sort of information. What people " share” today without a doubt is the lazy way of presenting information. For example, fighting in text messages rather than walking up to the person and stating true feelings. Texting or messaging is the easy way out. It’s easy to just write out emotions and send them. This modern technology does aid in saving time, but lacks seeing " true" emotion towards the situation.

Daniel Vazquez said...

I think modern technology is a form of human interaction.When you talk oover the phone you are still sharing information, you might not be able to share facial expressions or body movements. But I don not believe that those are essential to sharing information, you do not need to be in somebody's physical presence to share information with them. You can share plenty of information over the phone and I believe it is a great form of sharing information.

Anakarolina5 said...

The innovation of phones in our world definitely messed up our way to communicate, express, and share our thoughts. It is true that we cannot see facial expressions or body movements over the phone, and those are some of the reasons I avoid talking on the phone. I personally prefer going over to where the person is, just to talk to them for 2 minutes, rather than sending them a text message or calling them.
In today's society I think we don't share as much as people from past generations did even though we have more media to communicate with others, such as blogging, messenger, phones, and much more. But why do we do this? Well the answer is really easy, we are scared or ashamed what other people might do if we share certain things in our lives.

Katie said...

Although we can convey our message through technology we are missing two key elements to signify the correct meaning of a message. Without visual and audio communication the person receiving the message might misinterpret the intent of the message. For example when I say "fine" the other person might believe that it was said in a sarcastic tone therefore they think i might be upset. Although communicating through the web might not be as efficient we are able to talk to people all over the world and share ideas!

Unknown said...

I agree with you. "Sharing" is not really accomplished using modern technology like phones. We tend to hear the person, and can somewhat make out the different tones used, but a lot of communication is not what a person said, but how he or she said it, and what the body language was saying. So, new technology sharing is not really "sharing". "Sharing" involves much more than spewing words over a phone or having finger diarrhea over the internet.

sainad said...

I think the debate on whether cell phones have had a positive or negative effect on humanity will always be up for argument.
Speaking negatively, I think cellphones and texting has had such a huge impact on us that we literally couldn't live without them. So many people are so focused on their cellphone connection, that they've lost connection with real life. I've heard of so many situations where two people will be "talking" through text, but as soon as they see each other in person, it's awkward! People can't constantly hide behind a screen.

On the other hand, it has become so handy and useful! In times of serious emergencies, such as car crashes, a fire, some falling down the stairs...anything! And also things less urgent, but still important, like telling a parent your whereabouts and your plans. Honestly, texting is a lifesaver and there are countless positive uses for it.

I just think that no matter what new technology comes out, there will always be the debate of whether it's good or bad. So, the world may never know. Ha ha.

sashagabriella said...

Ms. Stoklosa I'm going to be honest with you. I'm so lost, I hated that little doll thing, her head kept bobbing around and it distracted me. It also bothered me that it didn't look like you, I know that all sounds stupid but I can't ignore that fact. Other than the weird doll I really like your blogs, they bring up good points and usually leave me thinking.

sashagabriella said...

Ms. Stoklosa I'm going to be honest with you. I'm so lost, I hated that little doll thing, her head kept bobbing around and it distracted me. It also bothered me that it didn't look like you, I know that all sounds stupid but I can't ignore that fact. Other than the weird doll I really like your blogs, they bring up good points and usually leave me thinking.

sashagabriella said...

Ms. Stoklosa I'm going to be honest with you. I'm so lost, I hated that little doll thing, her head kept bobbing around and it distracted me. It also bothered me that it didn't look like you, I know that all sounds stupid but I can't ignore that fact. Other than the weird doll I really like your blogs, they bring up good points and usually leave me thinking.

Nicole said...

Technology has transformed our way of social interaction. Talking on a cell phone is a way to decipher what people are saying and how they mean it. You can here the tone of voice they are using making it possible to understand their emotion. On the other hand, using a cell phone to text is a complete different story. You can not psychically share your thoughts with other people and think that they are reading it in the specific tone you wrote it.
Yes we are sharing our thoughts and expanding our world of sharing but we are not sharing them correctly. People are taking what we wrote and completely changing the meaning of the original statement.

stephanie lynch said...

Technology is very beneficial for communication and sharing of ideas. But through texting or facebook its hard to grasp what the person is actually trying to get across because the text can be interpreted in so many ways. But through technoloy we can interact with people and share our ideas, which helps us form our views and opinions.
Also through technology we are missing a huge part of human interaction, body movements, tone of voice and facial expressions cannot be expressed through text. Some times the entire meaning of what someone is trying to say can be lost, or misunderstood.

MirandaLikesToEat said...

I don't think we share enough. Body language is so important, I mean it has two languages for crying out loud! Body and sign. We see things and that's a way we comprehend how to react to a situation. With technology we've created more misunderstandings and a lack of appreciation for conversation with our fellow beings. More people are now less physically social because they can be someone else through the internet and telephone without having to share a picture. Or even by taking a picture of themselves how they want to appear to the world but in reality, they don't think they have the confidence to be that person. Technology gives us confidence, but confidence behind a mask and that is a truly unfortunate thing because then we are only cowards.
In order to truly understand what someone is sharing with you, you have to witness it, touch it, and hear it. You have to see the passion in their face, eyes, and movements. You have to hear the point with all the emotion that person has put into it. And finally, you have to feel sympathy.

Luis said...

I have to say that I completely agree with Max. I cannot name the countless times that I have misunderstood or have been misunderstood by people with whom I am chatting or which have read my text messages. Text does not convey the necessary amount of emotional information which is transmitted through face-to-face communication. I believe that only when we are able to communicate with people in a manner that makes use of all 5 senses will we be able to achieve the same level of communication and sharing that we do in real life.
Thus, I believe that we are just fooling ourselves when we believe that we are truly communicating, through the use electronic devices at least. Emails, texting, chatting...these forms of communication might help convey purely factual information, but as far as emotional transmission goes, they are almost completely worthless.

Unknown said...

I believe we share through technology these days ten times more than what people used to share before. Yes, people had journals, diaries and papyrus letters but never as quick and easy as today. Plus, these journals were never really read by the public unless they were published. Society used to also be limited by the amount of knowledge given. Such as, religious text and letter's written by somebody. Now, we have blogs and such to express out ideas. Technology has clearly aid the sharing process.

Yanira said...

I think we are fooling ourselves. Although modern technology helps us share information faster and easier, it does not allow us to share our emotions. When we are able to share our emotions it makes the information we are talking about more meaningful. Such as if you are trying to inform others on the bad effects of smoking; you can publish many articles in magazines and newspapers, but you will have the most affect from people if you give a lecture to an audience on the harmful affects of smoking because you are able to express your emotions.
I also don't think we share as much these days as we did when all this new technology was created. Since it is now harder to express our emotions through modern technology, there is a chance that what we share could be taken the wrong way, such as in text messaging where someone who is very sarcastic can come off as mean or rude in a text. Along with misinterpreting emotions, there are many people who will act differently than who they usually are. They feel like they can open up more or exaggerate their feelings when sharing through new technology because they feel safer and that they won't be judged as much.

Brittany said...

I agree that phones have been over used and are limiting us in the way of getting our messages across. They are useful in long distance interaction, but phones limit direct communication between people locally. Web cameras and other technology where you can see the person helps us to share over long distances. We can see facial expressions and are able to see the point and moods the people are giving off. For example, when you text message or any other kind of written interaction you are not shown the persons feelings toward to argument. You do not hear the tone the author might have meant to give off. I think technology has benefitted long distance sharing, but has caused local interaction to decrease between people.

Caitlin said...

I believe that sharing ideas through things such as cell phones has its benefits because it's a fast way to share information. On the other hand, you don't exactly get to interact with the person face to face and expressions are lost. For example, while texting people can't show sarcasm, which may lead to a fight between the two people if the one takes what the other says as something serious. Even though people can't see facial expressions or body movements, if on the phone, people can hear tones of voices and know the emotions one is feeling. Although these tones help, I do believe that we are somewhat fooling ourselves because being face to face with someone is more personal and a better way to share ideas or thoughts.

Alex said...

Cell phones are a way to share information. They may not be as useful as a blog or express as much as we'd like to in person, but at certain times they can get quick messages across. For example, if you'd like to know directions to a friend's house, you can just text or call them for quick directions. Although phones cannot express emotions and get the point we'd like to get across as good as in person, they can still be a way to spread information.

Luisa said...

I completely agree with the fact that you can’t express your true feelings toward someone if you use technology such as texting. Often times people get mad at me or worried about me because they think I’m upset with them only because I don’t put an exclamation mark at the end of a text. It is not the same thing to cry and try to express it in a text than to cry in front of a person. They can know how you really feel. In some cases I do prefer to text because I can perform multiple tasks at once. For example, I can cook something or do my homework or any errand while at the same time talking to someone. Like Daniela said, technology can both harm us or create an advantage towards us but one has to know what technology is appropriate to use.

Nikki said...

I tend to find texting very impersonal. What you say in a text is nothing compared to how you can say something to a person's face. I mean what I say online or through text, but it makes more of an impact when I say something in person. I am a person who likes to talk, and by talk I mean that I like to be face to face. When I am confronted with a problem I find texting quite annoying. It is annoying because you always have your cell phone on you and it just gives another person instant contact with you. There are no longer the real feeling of anticipation to see a person becase you are in constant contact with them. Websites such as facebook do the same damage. Sadly, I feel like I get to know a person more through technology thand in person because technology make another person more accessible. Also technology leaves A LOT of room for misinterpretation. I am a victim of this because I have been in situations where texts are misread and put into the wrong connotation. So I find technology to be an easy way out of being personal. It gives a person extra time to think about a response, as opposed to in person where you have to think what is actually on your mind at that second. Don't get me wrong, I love technology, however is it ruining the real social aspects of life.

Anonymous said...

I believe that we are somehow fooling ourselves because we are not being completely true with our emotions through technology nowadays. However, we are still sharing ideas, mostly though texting, because we are writing what we feel and what we may not be able to tell a person face to face. I believe that we are sharing ideas but we are not expressing ourselves correctly by talking on the phone or texting because the other person cannot see our true expressions and emotions.

Morgan said...

I think technology has allowed us to experience and witness many great things, But when it comes to communication and interaction between people I prefer face to face. it gives you a chance to use your social skills and truly interact with a person on a personal basis. Although when it comes to sharing information I believe technology is amazing. without the internet or blogging i would not know half the stuff I do. i've learned so much thought shared information through technology so i can definitely see the pros and cons of technology when it comes to communication.

Guitarist Extraordinaire said...

I think with the technology we have in modern society,we take a more independent stance in our individual lives.The reason I believe this is because when we use computers in our homes it is not a family gathering of some kind,it is just you sitting there by yourself for the most part.With Television it is the same situation.In the past it was a family event to watch tv but now it is more of an individual thing.We cant share if were participating in activities alone.