What We've Got Here Is A Failure To Communicate

You wouldn't think, in an age of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, email, texts, and any number of other social media that we could possibly have a communication problem. I mean, really--there has never been a greater ability to communicate with anyone, anywhere, than there is today. We have instant access to myriad forms of information exchange, so there should be no problem, right?

Wrong.

Sadly, that is very, very wrong. I contend that one of the greatest downfalls of our society, and societies around the developed world, is our inability to effectively communicate with each other. Oh, we communicate, all right; but the key is effective communication. There is a big difference.

We have all heard the stats; non-verbal communication constitutes at least 2/3 of what we convey to each other. When we only communicate via electronic devices, we lose that. What we are left with is 1/3 of what we are trying to say. Try living off 1/3 of your paycheck and see how effective that is!

Also, when that 1/3 is reduced to 180 characters or less, we further remove vital pieces of emotion, nuance, and personality, cutting the very heart out of our intended message. Adding an emoticon at the end of a text just doesn't cut it, folks:(

What we are left with is a sterile, voiceless, nearly meaningless jumble of abbreviations, half sentences, and auto-correct nightmares. The result is a total failure to communicate, and the effect on society is . . . devastating.

That is not even broaching the subject of what staring at electrified pixels is doing to our brains and the brains of our children, and our ability to have a true face-to-face conversation. Take a look around the next time you are in a restaurant and see how many are talking, and how many are staring at their smart phones. Sadly, the cliche, "My phone is smarter than me," isn't far from the truth anymore.

I do not miss the irony of posting this diatribe on a blog, which I will then link to Facebook. But as Paul said, "When in Rome . . ." 

I'm not sure what the answer to this problem is, but I am sure that it is not to continue down the road we are on. Take time to look someone in the eye, think about what you want to say, and express it fully. You just might be surprised at the result.