Just a few minutes before, a quirky thought passed my mind. I was wondering how many lines or words do we speak these days on an average. If one plots on a graph (having date/day on x axis and words spoken each date/day on y axis), I think today being the first working day of the year would find its place way above than the rest. Thanks to the customary “Happy New Year” salutations. In a world where oral communication is considered neither serious nor reliable, it's not surprising that people prefer to believe only when they get mails or see a facebook/twitter update. For example, back in office no task is considered worth starting till we receive a mail about it. Or, when you are speculating about a friend's relationship status, nothing confirms more than an update on his/her profile :-)
Till the above is done, it's all a matter of conjectures and assumptions. So a typical day of a person belonging to this generation would start with the exercise of checking mails and responding and then continue by working on a computer (which obviously requires no verbal commands). A few meetings and a couple of lines exchanged between colleagues make you realize that the installed system of hearing is still up and running in your body.
It's a matter of thought that if the so called social communication and networking tools are a boon or a bane to social life. I think it was John Locke who said “Man is a social animal”. If he was alive today, he would rephrase it to “Man is a social animal ONLY in internet” ;-).
I am no exception to the rule and I coyly abide by the new age social protocols. Sometimes, I realize it saves me from awkward exchanges with friends whom I hardly want to talk but I don't want to sever ties either. But I just wish to hear a few more words; words of happiness, despair, humor, adventure, love, care. I believe the entire ambiance around us can be animated and made more meaningful by just a few more words. So next time when you are coming up with any thought, don't be stingy in using words and let the human voice be given a chance.
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5 comments:
Point well taken. Let me quickly make your point as my status update! ;-) Joke apart: Personally am a fan of connecting with folks via networking sites minus awkward sentences but I think "twitter" is a big pile of royal bull shit. It's sad when people do stuff just for their tweets rather than other way around. Weird that Aston Kutcher has more followers than CNN- its a new way of obsession and sadly makes stalking cool.
I like getting real hugs from people who really care about me and for rest- just write down{{{Hugs}}} and stay away from awkward contact!
Man is a social animal ONLY in internet.. :) and I think I will be out of this genre as well very soon :) As always...nice thought and beautiful words put together..
So very true..but I believe the Internet can never beat the joy of talking...nothing can match the expressions,the sounds,the laughs and the smiles that u can share... :-)..socializing with real people is way better than the e-way..
amzingly articulate observation/s well penned ... I dont think you cn be more right :) ... what internet's done is helped get in touch with a person half way across the globe while at the same time robbing a tete-a-tete with the guy next door ... a boon and a bane ...
Bang on! People prefer to write irrelevant nonsense on facebook rather than drop you an email. Gone are the days when a Hi was meaningful. Now if you are eating or snoring, the world must know.
I think all of this - facebook, twitter, orkut etc is a load of horse excreta.
My vote goes for the quintessential email and the ever-bubbly chat messenger.
Who bow before the almighty telephone.
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