One of the most beautiful aspects of technology is the access it gives you to anyone, anywhere in the world. This summer I went on Facebook and read an article my cousin shared from Thailand, and then messaged her instantaneously.
Regardless of the situation, technology continually allows us to connect with our network of friends and acquaintances in more ways than ever.
People are on their phones more frequently and across more platforms than ever before. Social media and messaging services have become more powerful in their ability to connect us to our friends as well as more pervasive in our lives. This is when Twitter is like your fridge at home: you know there’s nothing new there, but you keep checking anyway.
With this trend, however, it has become significantly easier for people to become isolated from those around them. Every day I walk past people in my hall while texting or scrolling through a social media app. I have never met some of the people I pass by even though we cross paths a few times per week.
Monday night, however, the power in my dorm was knocked out. This resulted in initial shock and confusion, but culminated with my floor mates all hanging out in our hallway. Some were sitting crisscross-applesauce, others playing cards or Twister, but everyone was out socializing with one another. I ended up meeting a number of people whom I had seen around but never spoken to.
It wasn’t until the power went out, no Wi-Fi, no way to do homework or connect to people outside of those around us that I really bonded with more people on my floor.
The power remained out for a few hours and when it turned back on, the dorms erupted in cheers for a brief moment. Then, in a poetic gesture, everyone and their new friends shuffled back to their own rooms soon after as if nothing had changed.
I love social media platforms as much as the next person. The ability to share knowledge and experiences through these like never before is amazing. Texting and messaging my friends is by far more convenient than getting a hold of them in person.
I realized, though, that as great as all of these technological tools are for keeping in contact with your already established network, they could inhibit your ability to grow it. As we become more connected to the friends we already have, it becomes easier to ignore everyone else.
Related Links:
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Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
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