With people all the more accessible, it is possible to lose oneself in messages and statuses that really mean nothing. In text messages, the language has evolved to include emoticons, new formatting, and new expressions; but the messages are still largely impersonal. A personal connection is stronger even in a phone call, because tone and emphasis can be better manipulated; physical presence is even better because body language and an understanding silence can be used. Body language and, further, physical touch is what makes separation so hard. And separation can be very hard, but with social media today, separation isn't necessarily true separation. So do text and social media messages really help to strengthen and deepen relationships? I have sometimes wondered if social media and text messages haven't rather spoiled relationships by depriving them of separation, of longing and appreciation.
Is this connectedness really bringing us closer? Is it helping us to understand one another, to love one another? It may, perhaps, actually be closing some of our doors. With so little effort necessary and so many people to chose from, I think we may have lost our empathy, our desire to try to really connect on a deeper personal level with the people we are with in the moment – which leaves us and everyone around us feeling very empty and alone. And silly, meaningless little messages can be sent off effortlessly to people we love, without much personal investment.
I'm not the least bit against social media but I do think it should be used almost as a supplement, rather than the norm for connecting with people, especially for connecting with people you could see every day but don't (like classmates or friends in town).
Food for thought, and something, I'm sure, we could all reflect on in the coming year.
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