Tech-no

Everyone knows that technology is taking over the world.

You see it every day.

5 year olds asking for a cell phone or laptop for Christmas...

People who are always 'ready to chat' on Facebook no matter the time of day or night...

Men and women sitting in their cars texting or reading their e-mail...

It's everywhere and it's gotten out of control.

Now, I like my cell phone and Netbook as much as the next gal, but it does not trump actual human interactions. I do not let the constant flow of information through technology interfere with my 'real life'.

I feel that there is a time and a place for everything. And most of what bothers me is directly related to others' lack of respect and courtesy.

We are SO connected to the net that people forget to give you 100% attention. It's all about multi-tasking for them and most of the time these people have no clue that they are neglecting the basics.

Person to person interaction.

For example: I was eating out with Mike and my mom the other night. We decided that our tummy's required Noodle Boat Thai cuisine. (And yes I am plugging the restaurant cause it's delish.) At the table next to us, four men sat waiting for their food to arrive. There were three teens/youngsters and one older man. They were all using their phones for either talking, texting, internet or games. All at the same time! I couldn't believe it. Instead of talking to each other (I don't think they were all from the same family), they were engrossed in whatever app. or online web page was most important to them.

This is just one example. I have MANY others!

One of my least favorite things is when someone you are talking to constantly texts or fiddles with their phone while you are trying to have a conversation. I can't tell you how many times I have had to repeat myself, because someone I was speaking to was on their phone distracted. It's aggravating.

I shouldn't have to tell someone at the movie theater to put their phone away after 20 minutes of texting (not that I would).

I shouldn't have to tell someone to pocket their cell phone in the middle of dinner or a trivia party.

And I should not have to take someone's phone away from them just to get their attention (Have I done this? Yes.)

It's about common courtesy people. It's about disconnecting yourself from the incessant stream of internet vomit to have a real conversation. It's about maintaining real relationships and connections.

I know that having internet on your phones is supposed to keep you more connected to people, but in reality it is only hurting us.

Just because you have e-mail and Facebook on your phone does not mean you should be checking it every 5 minutes.

I am not completely unreasonable about technology. I text a lot throughout the day, but it doesn't stop me from actually calling people.

And I find it perfectly okay if someone I am conversating with, asks me if they can take a call or return a text. As long as that person is being polite and keeping your feelings at the forefront, there is always room to make exceptions.

Texting during theater previews...fine.

Looking up information regarding what you are doing or where you are going...no problem.

There are always understandable situations, but don't take advantage.

I have not subscribed to the whole I-phone craze and I am not sure I ever will. Mike and I do not have internet on our phones and we don't need it. We both have computers at work and two at home so there is no real reason to spend more money to achieve 24/7 access.

I know that pretty soon it will be normal for everyone to be net-connected through their mobile devices, but I just don't think it's all that healthy.

Technology is making us more secluded and anti-social no matter how many 'friends' you have on Facebook. I know people will try to debate this point, but I have seen a trend in my own life and the lives of people around me.

I am not saying that it wouldn't be nice to be able to figure out who sings that darn song stuck in my head, while in line at the grocery store...

And it would be really helpful to have a GPS on my phone for when I am lost in Seattle.

But I give-up these things in order to avoid becoming "that girl".

No one should interrupt your conversation to talk to someone else. How crappy does that make you feel? To that person...you are now #2.

I am of course, not implying that I am above it all and have never become the rude person. I have been. It has become second nature to check text messages and respond, no matter the time or place. I have caught myself doing this many times. It's something you have to actively think about as you are doing it or better yet, before you do it.

And by the way, an apology or a "do you mind...?" goes a long way.

I am not telling you that you should sell your internet-ready phone or refrain from using it at all costs. I am just asking that, as a society, we make a more conscious effort to be polite when using our phones and put them away every once in a while.

You owe it to yourself and the people around you to stay an active participant in the physical world.

Has anyone seen The Net? - It's an old Sandra Bullock movie. It's makes you think.




P.S. If you are texting me please refrain from using abbreviations like U, R, 2 or 2-day, or any other half-ass word or phrase. I may forgive you for LOL, BRB, & BTW... but that's it! We are adults and should be using big-person language. If you write me with " R U going out 2 day?" I will call you a pubescent teen and refuse to reply. And if you are using those shortcuts in an e-mail to me, you may get a reply of "learn English you ass-hat!" Just for an example.