I thought that both the “Stop Googling. Lets Talk.” and the
“Talk to Each Other, Not Your Phone” articles were very insightful, and I have
been able to form an opinion on the subject. I grew up in a strict “no phones
at the dinner table” household, and I believe that it is the right thing to do.
However, I think that people should understand the clear difference between
using the phone to enhance the conversation, as opposed to mindless browsing. I
think that the phone can be used as a very valuable tool during a conversation,
even though Sherry Turkle would most likely disagree. Using a phone sparingly
to look something up regarding a conversation, or to watch a video together,
can stimulate a conversation more than if the phone had not been used. However,
mindless browsing during a conversation, regardless of how many people you are
with, is narcissistic and rude.
While I agree in many ways
with Sherry Turkle, I am definitely a victim (or culprit) of the things she
outlines. I find that it is not an issue during conversations I have with
adults, or anyone who I feel requires my attention. This may be because, due to
my upbringing, I have a clear understanding of when to not use my phone.
However, I am a culprit of excessive phone use while alone, which was discussed
at length in one of the articles. There are times that I am in bed and I have
found that I would rather mindlessly browse social media than read a book,
something I am trying to change.
Overall, I don’t think this
problem will ever go away, and will most likely get worse. I also don’t believe
that more technology will be able to lead to less phone use, as said in this
quote from the article “Engineers are ready with more ideas: What if our phones
were not designed to keep us attached, but to do a task and then release us?”
(Turkle). However, the best possible solution for this problem is to teach
people when to use and not to use their phones, in a social setting. Sometimes
I see my peers use their phones at moments that make me cringe. From my
personal experience, I think the best way to attain this knowledge is as a
child, with parents that can teach the importance of no phone at the dinner
table.
The section of these articles
that had the biggest impact on me was how often we use our phones in solitude.
I had never thought of that before and I will make a greater effort to improve
in this area.
I don’t know if I agree with you in that there are good times that stimulate a conversation to use your phone at the dinner table. Yes, you can look up information, but I think that may take away from the conversation itself. It’s interesting because I grew up in a household that never had evening dinners or dinner at the dinner table. My parents were working all the time and so we all ate in front of the television or in our rooms so I never really thought about it. That is, I hadn’t really thought about it until I became a mentor for this little girl last year. Her father took me, her and her brother out to dinner and the little girl wouldn’t take the headphones out of her ears or quit texting long enough for a conversation. At that time, the girl was 12 years old and was never taught any different. It was appalling to me because it was so disrespectful, but her father didn’t seem to mind. When I talked to her about this, she said she was talking to her friend so it was okay; but she only had one friend and said she had trouble making others. This was actually mentioned in I know that it is a little bit different than what the articles were talking about, but it’s very similar and still very sad.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read Turkle’s article, it actually reminded me of this little girl because, although she is not a college student, she did always tell me about how she text in class but was never caught because she was good at hiding it. I must admit, even I texted during high school classes without getting caught; I memorized what buttons were which letters back in the old days of texting and I still feel myself turning to my phone when conversations get dull; I am a culprit as well. Unfortunately, I don’t think the problem will go away either, mainly because technology is growing and children (like the 12 year old I mentored) are learning bad habits so it will only get worse. I agree that we should teach people when it is polite to use and not use their phones, but I do not think that should be the extent of solving this problem.
In a related article that I found on Washington Post, “Texting generation doesn't share boomers' taste for talk” written by Ian Shapira, he mentions how the growth in usage of cell phones for texting has grown exponentially was their usage of calling has dropped exponentially; the phone calls that are made are even shorter! In fact, he even mentions how, “They [millennial generation] even complain that phone calls are by their nature impolite, more of an interruption than the blip of an arriving text.” (Shapira) Just from the responses of why they prefer texting that he got from people in interviews are surprising.
For me, the section of all of these articles that had the biggest impact was just how often we use our phones at all. I think this is really important for everyone, not just the people in our MIS class, to understand what an impact it is having on our lives and be able to take a step back.
My additional article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/07/AR2010080702848.html
Great article. Here is the linkable ref: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/07/AR2010080702848.html
DeleteI'm actually glad you did post about this. I wasn't sure if people would do so, as I think it IS important. I have a 14-year old niece (but she started younger) who really doesn't know how to have a conversation face-to-face, but does really well on her phone, snap chat, insta, twitter (she doesn't have FB account because her dad won't let her -- Really?) Most kids her age don't use FB that much unless other people tag them. Her dad let's her stay in her room with the door closed, so she doesn't actually have to interact that much with others, and at school they let them use cell phones in the class (not supposed to be, but not enforced). She's a freshman in HS. I think the real lesson that Turkle makes is the ability to be empathic. To listen to what others have to say and to form an opinion to respond appropriately. My niece can't do that. When she talks, not much comes out, but how "amazing" she is. (Did you see my eyeballs roll?) It's THAT ability to listen that is missing. Not that you can't put your phone down on occasion, but the ability to listen, to be bored, silent, without staring down at your phone. Her book is full of examples where people just can't sit still without doing "more productive" things on your phone. Can any of you put your phone down to listen? I know there are many of you who don't use your computer in class, and it allows you to listen. To sit still. To pay attention, even if what is being said is not very interesting, or even boring. Not sure this is the majority, but I notice those who establish eye contact. It shows you are at least tracking.
ReplyDelete