Techno Speaking

Think before you speak.  Technology has changed the way society communicates. Cell phones have made it easier to communicate. Not only can we talk to someone on the phone but we can also text and send e-mails. Cell phones have had a negative impact on the cultural tradition of how we interact with others.

A person could be having an intimate conversation with a loved one, and all of a sudden a loud, obnoxious ring tone starts to blare. The cell phone has interrupted the conversation and now they have to decide to answer the phone, mute it or let it continue to ring. That jingle of a tone has interrupted meetings, classes, church services and even funerals.

Face-to-face communication, nonverbal communication, like facial expressions and body language has been lost because of the use of cell phones. “When you’re on the cell phone, you can’t ever have a full conversation. Usually the reception is terrible, and somehow it’s only bad on your side. The person talking to you has no idea that you have bad reception. They’re rambling on and on and you’ve got your finger jammed in your ear” (DeGeneres 640). When we are not having face to face conversations we lose that personal interaction between each other. People have become introverted and do not know how to communicate one on one.

People answer their phone in public areas, for instance when riding a bus, and due to the loud back ground noise they have to speak even louder and unfortunately everyone else is forced to listen to their conversation.  Many people feel uncomfortable about eaves dropping and do not want to hear about other people’s problems. “THE WOLRD IS A NOISY PLACE. YOU AREN’T HELPING THINGS” (641).

           

Texting creates laziness for some people. They are lazy about spelling. Sometimes people text each other while they are in the same room watching television. The quality of conversation has become less important. People have become less patient and seem to rely on an immediate response.

The cell phone has become a constant distraction. People text while walking, running, driving and talking they are less likely to be aware of their surroundings and what is going on. Due to this multi- tasking, many motor vehicle accidents have occurred. Laws have been created to protect the innocent. “Now we have the hands-free phone so you can concentrate on the thing you’re really supposed to be doing. My thought is this: Chances are, if you need both of your hands to do something, your brain should be in on it too” (DeGeneres 642).

Remember that famous ding? You’ve got mail.  E-mails can also be sent and received on a cell phone. The constant ding from incoming e-mails is quite annoying and distracting.  People will stop whatever they are doing to check their incoming messages. “Just in: boyfriend’s gay. Merry Christmas” (Hargett 661).

Photos and videos can be sent via e-mail. Some of these photos or videos can be inappropriate. They can be humiliating and harmful to others. A person’s privacy can easily be violated. Some messages can accidently get sent to the wrong people by pressing reply to all instead of reply.

Cell phones are handy when reporting emergencies or calling for help when the car breaks down. A person used to have to walk to the nearest pay phone or residence to call for help. Another positive thing about cell phones is that children can communicate with their parents and let them know where they are or where they are going and let their parents know that they have arrived safely at their destination.

Cell phones have had a negative impact on how we interact with others. The constant interruption of a phone ringing distracts us from watching our favorite reality television show. Information communicated has lost substance and quality with meaningless, mindless conversations on the cell phone. We have lost the personal interaction we get from face-to-face conversations, seeing the twinkle in their eye or the smile on a loved one’s face.