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200 words, addiction, alone, community, connecting, depression, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, family, health, herd mentality, human nature, humanity, interaction, interdependent, isolation, living in the moment, love, Relationships, social, teamwork, technology
It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.
I’m sure that when we first got mail service, a mother who missed her adult son said, “Now he doesn’t have to visit, he just writes a letter,” and it broke her heart.
And I’ll bet when we first got telephones that some jilted lover missed seeing her man face-to-face when he called.
And TV sure did it’s part to break up the family conversation around the dinner table.
But we got used to these things. With the passing of time, we became accustomed to each new way of communicating and being, and only bemoaned technology when a new one popped up.
These days with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, texting, it’s almost like technology is enabling us to connect again.
But is it really?
When you don’t see facial expressions or reactions, are you really connecting?
With record numbers of people struggling with depression, addiction and loneliness and countless others thinking suicide is their best option, isn’t it time we reexamine the value of connecting one-to-one and creating a sense of belonging through community?
Isn’t it time for us to get face-to-face?
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
Minuscule Moments said:
Diana give me face to face any time over any other communication. But I do love that I can connect with beautiful souls across the planet using this technology. Balance is the key.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes. Me too Kath! ♡
Diana xo
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sedge808 said:
‘When you don’t see facial expressions or reactions, are you really connecting?’
yep. i so agree.
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dianasschwenk said:
I knew you would understand Gavin! ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
Sherry Turkle, psychologist and academic, a few years ago, spoke about this in a TED: https://cyclewriteblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/05/social-media-humanizing-or-lack-of-deep-relationship-accountability/ The clip is embedded. It’s on target what you are talking.
I and my partner especially find it strange to see couples absorbed on their iphones for long periods of time in a restaurant.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks for sharing this link here Jean!
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
You are right Diana. All today hear but seldom listen.
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
I have to work on the listening part too Alan! ♡
Diana xo
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Sheryl said:
I can see this both ways – There’s something really special about seeing someone face-to-face; but technology also enables us to connect with individuals we won’t otherwise we able to communicate with.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes, we never would have met otherwise Sheryl! ❤
Diana xo
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Trin Carl said:
Your totally right, technology has gone way too far. I can’t even go to a friend’s house and expect that the TV won’t be on or that their kid won’t be on an Ipad. I don’t want my own son to grow up with an ipad connected to his hands.
http://theglobaldig.blogspot.com/2017/04/v-is-for-voices-atozchallenge-via.html
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dianasschwenk said:
I know, right? I hope you have better luck with your son, Carl. I caved and got my daughter a cell phone in grade 7! ❤
Diana xo
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Clarence said:
The saddest thing in this situation is that children no longer imagine how they can communicate without social networks and messengers. It comes to absurdity, two can sit in one room and communicate through messenger without saying a word and expressing emotion.
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dianasschwenk said:
It is very sad Clarence, thanks for weighing in! ❤
Diana xo
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Val Boyko said:
You can’t beat a real in-person smile and a hug ❣
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dianasschwenk said:
True Dat! ♡
Diana xo
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Graham in Hats said:
Somebody said ” We have become technically superhuman, morally we are still imbeciles”. Time to play catch-up. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
good one! ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
Well you better get here to Australia Diana, so I can give you a real hug! 😘😘
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dianasschwenk said:
Wouldn’t that be grand! ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
Yes. It is definitely time Diana.
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) Thanks Colleen! ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
So true, Diana. Even introverts like me crave personal face-to-face connections. ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Introverts especially value 1 to 1 connections Jennifer! Ahh I look forward to a possible face to face with you one day! ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
That would be soooo nice! xx
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russtowne said:
I believe you’re correct, Diana. The irony is this powerful post asked these important questions via a social medium.
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dianasschwenk said:
Ha! Believe me, the irony did not escape my attention Russ! ♡
Diana xo
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