Communication, Technology and Evolution
November 25th, 2007People are forever challenged by understanding the thoughts, words, actions, or other medium employed by another.
Today’s communication, while seemingly enabling an infinitely easier time to make one’s point, is far from clear. Even with all the technologies at hand: personal email, company email, social network email/messaging, instant messaging, text messaging, VoIP, direct connect, tele-conferencing, landlines, cell phones, fax, static communications like a personal webpage or profile, and on and on; there’s just no shortage of tools to communicate with.
But what all this technology fails to provide is the motivation and commitment between people to maintain open, clear and concise communication with one another. Regardless of the tools at hand, people still operate from within their respective bubbles of solitude. They forget that there is almost always someone on the other end, directly or indirectly involved and invested in what you have to say.
These are strange days we’re living in, married to a never-ending parade of gadgetry, all in the name of progress (supposedly). I think the best is yet to come, however. I think all these tools and devices are simply stepping stones enabling us all to regenerate and tap into our latent, higher powers of communication that are far superior than anything high-technology will ever deliver.
Just look at the simple act of making a cellphone call: your fingers articulate some pre-defined number scheme, you hold your hand up with said device to your head, more specifically your ear, then perhaps wait a few moments, in which case often times you’ll urgently call out in your mind (out loud if you’re really in need) for the recipient to answer your call, saying “come on, come on…pick up, pick up” or some such thing. Then finally someone answers, perhaps not the person you intended in some cases, but apparently someone was within range to “pick up” and answer your ‘call’.
I think this example clearly illustrates what’s happening and more importantly, where things are going. Next time you see someone making a call, just take a minute to watch them. And I mean, really watch them. Try to sense what’s happening as they go through the motions of this seemingly inanimate action. If you have to, squint your eyes or something to alter your pre-conceived notion of what’s happening; try to expand your consciousness outward with the call and maybe you’ll just ’see’ what’s really happening. 