If You're Spending More Time with YouTube than with Humans, You'll be Stuck Text Messaging Yourself Forever!
by Jaci Rae
Instant messaging, text messaging, blogs, vlogs, podcasts and widgets. With technology moving faster than a broadband connection, every day brings another way to keep in touch without actually having to show up in person. "It seems that the more connected we are, the more disconnected we become to real people," says Jaci Rae, who appears regularly on radio and television and whose love advice is featured on a number of relationship websites.
"Increasingly, being wired is replacing true bonds between human beings. Men and women are actually losing their ability to communicate with each other on a meaningful level."
Jaci says that vast numbers of people are searching for real relationships, but trying to find one through a 'smart' phone is not smart. "Technology is great for helping people stay in touch, but for so many people it's the only way they know how to connect."
Jaci cites an example she observed recently at a coffeehouse. "Many people were either on their laptops, text messaging, talking on their cell phones or listening to their iPod's. Only two people in the entire cafe were having an actual face-to-face conversation. I'd wager many of what I term the "wired wounded" were lonely but didn't know what to do about it. I felt like telling them 'put down your defenses, stop hiding behind your "connection" and let me teach you how to have a conversation with a real person and not a computer!'"
Jaci says that while online dating sites, chat rooms and "communities" such as www.facebook.com and www.youtube.com can be a great way to start a conversation with a potential new friend; many people lack the interpersonal skills to take their Internet connection into a lasting, in the flesh, connection.
With the world becoming more and more dependent on their computers, wireless methods of communication, and their Internet addiction, it's no wonder there are computer games that allow users to build and have a "relationship" with their idea of a perfect family or mate.
"As the world becomes more connected, their social skills go out the door," says Jaci. "People need to be taught how to have an actual conversation with another person that does not involve hardware or software as an intervening third party. Technology is not the enemy; it's the uncontrolled use of technology that's ruining our society and our relationships."
Here are some of Jaci's tips for turning yourself into a more user-friendly human being:
- If most of your friends live on the Internet,try making a non-cell phone call to them instead of instant or text messaging.
- If e-mailing is your thing, try writing an actual letter instead and put it in a mailbox. (Stamps are available at that place called a Post Office.)
- Get out of your game room and into the game of life! Get a group of people together without computers and iPod's. Take the "I" out of iPod by yanking out those earbuds and starting a conversation, actually listening to what the other person has to say. Respond to them using verbal language instead of texting.
- If you're addicted to Blogging, try just once to keep your thoughts away from the masses. Buy an actual paper journal and write a few heartfelt paragraphs that no one but you will see.
SHORT BIO: Jaci Rae uses her lifetime of experience from the school of relationship hard knocks, as well as professional training in therapy and psychology, to help men and women connect deeply and find the love they deserve.
Jaci is on the dating team of www.savvymiss.com, the relationship expert for www.lovingyou.com, and a relationship advisor for www.loveisgreat.com and www.singlescafe.com. She has written hundreds of articles and several books on connecting, relationships and how to find and build lasting love. She is also an award-winning singer who has toured around the world. For more information, go to http://www.jacirae.com
