This world is getting too virtual for me
@1creekgirl (44560)
United States
October 31, 2019 2:42pm CST
I looked at the obituary on line of a cousin's husband who recently passed away. There was a place you could write a note (rather than be bothered to actually buy a card, sit down and write in it, put a stamp on it, and mail it). You could also buy virtual flowers that would show up, as it that were the same as taking the time to order real flowers and have them delivered.
I think we're becoming the laziest humans who have ever lived. No wonder grand kids can't work in the yard more than ten minutes before needing a break.
What's happened to actually doing things for others? I agree an email or text birthday wish is better than none at all. But isn't it strange that we used to think very little of a phone call on a birthday and now it seems so much better compared to a text? Lord help us all.
I'm guilty at times myself. Why can't I make the effort to go visit someone rather than just call? I heard someone say "I would have gone to see you in the hospital, but I thought I should just let you rest." Well, yes, there are times patients need to rest and they don't need visitors to stay for hours, but what a sorry excuse!
And like Felicia Kane said, we get virtual birthday wishes from people on FB who don't even speak to us.
I know technology has improved our lives in many ways, but I'm afraid it won't end well. We're like the frog in the pot of boiling water and we are clueless.
13 people like this
13 responses
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
31 Oct 19
Thanks, Bhem. How are you feeling today?
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
31 Oct 19
@JustBhem Our youngest grandson who is 10 is completely wrapped up in his electronics. We don't let him when he's here, but at home, they don't seem to see the harm in it.
1 person likes this
@JustBhem (70555)
• Davao, Philippines
31 Oct 19
@1creekgirl Before my Father bought my nephew his first tablet for games. I thought it will make him okay with that but time passes bu he was hooked up to the tablet and won’t eat or even take a bath. So I decided to take away the tab and play with his cousins instead, and it works.
So far we are okay. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112876)
• United States
4 Nov 19
I wrote an article several years ago about this very thing. And the odd thing is that it was not as bad when I wrote the article, but it has certainly gotten worse. The main theme of it was "the more we are connected, the less connected we become." Virtual connection is never the same as personal interaction, and that personal touch that comes with taking the time, like you said, to send a simple card. I can't tell you how many times I see younger people out at a restaurant in a group that aren't even talking to each other. They are all on their phones. Maybe they ARE talking to each other...just texting each other at the table? Either way. It's a bad trend.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
4 Nov 19
You've said what many of us believe. And I know there are little things we can do, but I doubt there's a way to reverse the trend.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112876)
• United States
7 Nov 19
@1creekgirl I wish there was a way to reverse the trend, but I agree I am not sure that will be happening anytime soon. I imagine a future where a lot of human interaction will be via virtual reality.
@yanzalong (19091)
• Indonesia
1 Nov 19
In general, technologies make things a lot easier, I think.
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
31 Oct 19
I've been saying for years that technological advances in communication have rendered more and more people unable to actually communicate in any meaningful way.
We've just hired a number of recent graduates at work. Almost without exception they can't look you in the eye when you speak to them.
Simple manners seem to be beyond them. One of them was behind me in the lunch queue the other day. I noticed she had picked up something from the salad bar and was in the queue for hot food. I said to her that if she wasn't waiting for hot food she could just bypass the queue and go straight to the till. She did exactly that without even acknowledging the fact I'd spoken to her.
I wonder how these people get through job interviews.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
31 Oct 19
I don't expect they get through interviews very well. It's a wonder they ever get hired. That generation isn't comfortable around other people. Sad.
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
31 Oct 19
@1creekgirl They all sit at the same table at lunch and barely speak to each other. Too busy on their phones!!
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
31 Oct 19
Thanks! I like to switch up some times. This was taken last year, I think.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
5 Nov 19
You summed up the whole problem in just a few words. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
31 Oct 19
Yes, that's another area we are negligent about. We don't visit nursing homes like we should.
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
31 Oct 19
ugh, i despise those sites that 've such. i wonder 't times if'n such's not jest a feeble 'ttempt fer others to think they care??
i'm with ya, dislike all this textin' 'n virtual schtuff. folks seem bad 'bout actual communication with one 'nother. 'r e'en takin' the time to drop by.
aint too fond 'f most all services bein' 'nline either. seems ya can't do much 'f nothin' if'n ya don't compute. 'n then, yer 't the mercy 'f hackers 's ya ne'er know which entity 'tis gonna be hit next. all yer info waved out'n the wind, sold to the highest bidder.
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
31 Oct 19
I agree that we sre now entering the era of virtual reality. Such changes we cannot resist.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
31 Oct 19
I am new and old school, I do both. It depends on the person.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
31 Oct 19
Tech will be the ruination of mankind.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222399)
• United States
1 Nov 19
I always send snail mail birthday, anniversary and Christmas cards; and I get offended when I receive a virtual greeting card. I agree that, as a whole, Americans have become lazy. It's sad.
1 person likes this
