Is this communication?

Technology has an tremendous impact on human interaction. Yesterday, I was driving out in the ‘burbs, running some errands. For some reason, I keyed in on the number of people talking on their cell phones. At every intersection, there was at least one person, many times, just about everyone that passed me by, talking on their phone.

It’s a little unnerving when someone is in the lane next to you, or in front of you, driving erratically I might add, in a hypnotic phone trance. The glassy-eyed stare is always a dead give-away. These entranced people seem to be oblivious to everything that surrounds them. This includes speed limit signs and traffic lights as well as other vehicles. Is it possible that what is being discussed while motoring through an intersection is more urgent than giving your full attention to the task at hand?

Today, I was on the train platform, waiting for the Red Line to roll into the station. There may have been fifty or so others doing the same thing. What struck me as odd for some reason, was that there was no one talking. It was almost complete silence. Looking around, I was amazed at how many people were on their phones, but they weren’t even talking. They were either texting or surfing the web. Blazing thumbs, LOLs, BTWs, OMGs and others. Is this communication?

Was the same question asked when the telegraph, telephone, teletype, and fax machine became common place? I seem to recall using complete sentences, once upon a time. I’m sure there are people who can’t write a complete sentence anymore. When was the last time you sat down and wrote a letter? I’m guilty, it has been awhile. In this day, we want immediacy. Electronic communication gives it to us. The luxury of that immediacy is fragmented pieces of sentences, acronyms and smiley faces. Is this communication?