In Pico Iyer's "The Joy of Quiet," he discusses the effects technology has on our communication.
"We have more and more ways to communicate, as Thoreau noted, but less and less to say. Partly because we’re so busy communicating. And — as he might also have said — we’re rushing to meet so many deadlines that we hardly register that what we need most are lifelines."
Feel free to comment on these lines in any way--from how you use technology while you are abroad to communicate with those back home to how you like to get away from technology to how you agree or disagree with Iyer's lines.
Although I am not abroad yet, I've been planning on how to communicate with people back home, since I won't be able to simply send a text message or make a quick phone call. The internet is really going to be my sole connection to my friends and family back in the US. At first, I wondered how life would be without my smart phone, which always had me plugged in to email, twitter, Facebook, and messages. I'm now looking forward to 4 and a half months without my phone. I feel that it will open my eyes to new experiences that I otherwise would not have if I was so connected to my phone.
ReplyDeleteWhile abroad I use technology multiple times a day for many different reasons. I feel I am very lucky with my living situation. We have great wifi throughout the whole building so you never lose service. This is a very important feature for my living arrangement to have. My teachers are always sending emails revising the syllabus and explaining assignments. Also most of our readings are posted on blackboard. If I did not have internet it would be much harder for my to be successful in school. I also use my computer to keep in contact with my friends either through facebook or skype.
ReplyDeleteI brought my iphone abroad with me, i can only use it when I get wifi. This is a much different feeling from home. I am used to constantly texting my boyfriend and friends,check my email while I am out, or getting directions to a place. This has made me a lot more independent. Not having turn by turn directions has forced me to ask people on the street how to get some where and learn how to read bus signs to figure out the best route to take to get to a certain place.
I'm glad to hear you feel more independent without constant wifi. Finding our own directions (without technology) is becoming a lost art, for sure. So glad the visual/manual way is working for you. Directions are very challenging.
DeleteThoreau is right in this statement as it may seem old fashion but one of my favorite ways to communicate with someone is through snail mail. I believe that a letter many times says more and even means more then an email. Actually receiving a letter or package in my mailbox here in Belgium or even at home at Loyola truly makes my entire day! This is the reason that my friends and family still make an effort to send it across the ocean even though they could email, facebook or even text me the same exact thing.
ReplyDeleteHere in Belgium, I rarely use my Belgian phone. I could not even tell you my own phone number without looking it up and I love that! However I also can't imagine not being able to email or skype my siblings, parents and friends when I truly need them. Technology makes being across the ocean from them for an entire year so much easier.
When I came to Belgium I made the decision to not get a phone here and it has been one of my favorite parts of being abroad. At home I feel like I need to be constantly connected with my phone or I am going to miss something. I find that if I need to talk to someone here I will usually just go find them and have a conversation, rather than sending a bunch of text messages back and forth.
ReplyDeleteWhile I have stopped using a cell phone, I think that I use Skype more abroad then I ever have at home. I usually just use it to call my parents, but being able to video chat and see my whole family on Christmas made staying in Europe for the Holidays much easier.
I agree with Caroline that getting something in the mail is the best feeling. I know that when I get cards from my mom or grandma it can turn my entire day around, and I like that I can save them. I am not going to save an email, or a text message, but I will save cards and letters and have them to look back on, which for me is what makes them so special.
I wanted to reply to both Nora and Caroline--when my phone breaks (which is just did), when my laptop crashes (which it did last fall), I could go on and on, I get worried at first, then I enjoy it. I went all semester without a laptop, not a great method the first few weeks, but when I got used to it, I learned how to manage life offline, maybe grading was slower, but I enjoyed it more, I got more out of people's writing reading hard copies rather than online.
DeleteI do want to try to Skype in the next few weeks with those of you who can do this. But only if you want to.
I think that what Iyer described about instantaneous communications and it's straining effect on relationships is just as true of what we take away from our personal experiences abroad. When we spend an hour or two after each experience uploading photos and posting the exciting details of our journeys are taking something away from the experience itself? In an age where cell phones can broadcast our thoughts, experiences, and photos with the touch of a button, as they are happening, to millions of people (similarly torn away form their current endeavors)doesn't that have to take away from the experience itself. Why do we need the validation and recognition of our friends and peers the moment that we do anything? What ever happened to saving stories for parties and bars years down the road? Don't get me wrong I'm on Facebook and I'm just as guilty of uploading my life before I even get a chance to consider it just as much as the next guy. But isn't this wrong? Shouldn't we be here while we're here? I want to share my adventures with friends and family and It's normal for anyone to want that, but I think like fine wine and cheeses stories get better with time.
ReplyDeleteYes, Iyer can say we should be old school, but I agree, I want to share my experiences and I want to have those photos to look at for a long time, especially now that they can be saved digitally, never have to perish. The moment is great, and so are the moments years later when looking at those postings and photos again.
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