Fall is finally here. My favorite season it is for sure I
have to admit. So I have just started a new class for Graduate School, learning
through technology. The class has
been presenting s fresh set of ideas to me allowing me to think differently. It also helps that there with a lot of unique personalities
that contribute to the discussions in and outside the class. The first class my
teacher emphasized about the importance online diversity in the online social
world. Why we should acquire it
and the many benefits it can bring in our pursuit of knowledge. Everybody gave great answers in person
and through our discussion boards. The thing I still wonder though is, as
advanced as technology is, are we as individuals able to acquire diversity not
only online but also in person. Our virtual worlds, the place where we share
our personalities connected through whatever social media, we can create either
a similar personality that resembles us from head to toe or a completely
different alter ego that can make us feel like a superhero. Maybe we create subconsciously we
simply wish were. Whoever this person may be in our virtual world, it gives us
more confidence to create an online and diverse community as opposed to us
being our natural self in person and creating a diverse community around us in
our everyday lives.
My worry is as technology continues
to further itself; we are sometimes losing out on social interaction outside
that virtual world. Unless we are
conscious of the importance of human social interaction, the lack of it could
be detrimental to the individual and those around them. There is much a person can offer a
community and vice versa, much the community can offer them. All this technology we have today can
hinders us from bringing diversity into a personal unconnected life. For example, often we see people
talking to others still with the headphones still in their ears. They more than likely aren’t fully
engaged while they converse with others.
Some people prefer to accomplish many tasks online. Tasks such as e-mailing, mass mailing,
shopping, online dating, or even simply ordering a pizza. They are disengaging
themselves from their own community.
Last, often times we may be so
focused on the communication with our portable devices, cell phones, tablets, or iPods we fail
to greet others walking near or right past us. Losing the opportunity to me et someone who can maybe change
your life or you theirs with a simple wave, head nod; it can be your choice
combined with A “Hi”. Are we
choosing to be less personable or friendly in person? Are we so secure in our virtual worlds that there is no need
or care to socialize in the real world? Are we losing the ability to social interact with
others? The ability to foster many
positive individuals and relationships in our own communities that can
eventually extend across the globe.
If we lose the ability or care to show common courtesy and be ourselves
with our fellow neighbors, should we expect the same common courtesy and social
interaction from anyone in any online environment?
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