Everyone is connected, or so it seems. After all, there are more
mobile devices (4.8 billion) than toothbrushes (4.2 billion) on the
planet, according to Mindjumpers.
Social media occupies a central place in today’s communication. Yet,
is it a tool that creates connectedness – or superficiality?
Tools of the Baby Boomers
A quick review of yesterday’s tools reveals many that seem outdated
today: greeting and handwritten cards, landline phones (even phone
booths), and a larger focus on in-person communications.
Some of these tools and previous focuses have been undeniably altered
by today’s tools. Items like handwritten cards have been abandoned, at
least in the mainstream. Technology has altered all of these items.
Even with the baby boomer generation, there has been a development
that has greatly affected communication and socialization in society.
The Emergence of the Cell Phone
While cellphones first appeared in the 1940s, it is safe to say the
devices gained widespread appeal in the ’80s and ’90s. Their development
in the following decades increased convenience and usability, along
with “today’s” technologies, the most notable being text messaging.
Even in their early stages, cellphones gave users a taste of the
convenience of enhanced connectedness. The emergence of the cellphone
was a precursor to more modern methods of communication.
While early cellphones can be classified as tools of yesterday,
clearly the devices have since been paired with more modern
communication methods such as text messaging and Internet connectivity.
They have been taken much further today, with the availability of free
cellphones and impressive, eye-opening features.
Today’s Tools
The tools of today – Smartphones and feature phones, tablets, laptops
and netbooks, blogs, and apps – are powerful, varied and suitable for
just about any platform you can imagine. From personal to business use,
the drastic increase in connectivity has altered today’s communication
methods greatly.
The International Telecommunications Union
reports that a mobile operator in Estonia created the world’s first
mobile identification service. Citizens were able to cast a vote in
parliamentary elections in 2011 on a mobile phone, illustrating yet
another use for today’s technology.
On a more basic level, many people rely heavily on these methods of
communication. Social media, text messaging, and e-mail, most notably,
have greatly changed society. It’s easier to stay in touch – but is that
a good thing?
Is Social Media Superior?
Social media drives today’s society. It’s difficult to find a website
or any mobile device without this type of integration. Businesses are
even using it internally, as one case study provides impressive results of its integration. Of course, the focus of social media is on “social” use in today’s culture.
It is possible – even easy – for social media to be a crutch. As with
any tool, though, social media must be used in the right away to avoid
superficiality and over reliance.
Social media has the ability to improve social skills and
connectedness. However, users must be careful not to forget the tools of
yesterday that still maintain certain advantages – aside from the phone
booths, of course.
Shaun Chatman
Post from: SiteProNews
