Social Leprosy Flip Side

Okay now for the flip side to my previous post.

Email is a great invention. While it doesn't have the same sentimental value as receiving a hand written letter in the mail, it has the bonus of being almost instantaneous, as long as people actually check their mail regularly. And in many ways its easier to hold onto your old emails than perhaps it is to hold onto old letters.

Cellphones, while they can be annoying at times, are very convenient. There is little better than a cellphone when you are in an emergency and need to reach someone. Or even just the simple convenience of trying to find someone you're trying to meet up with. No longer do you have to designate a time and a place to meet. You can now just call and ask, where are you?

Texting is perfect when you only need to send a simple message, like "I'll be there in 5 min" or "Don't forget to get milk."

The internet has brought us the useful tools of video chat and skype. Now you can call someone anywhere in the world for free as long as you both have internet. You can chat face to face across long distances if you both have cameras. This technology really does bring people closer together.

Dating sites are becoming more popular and more useful as our society gets busier and more isolated. It gets harder to meet people as life moves on. Without social gatherings the only way to meet someone is through your friends, family, or job. And that's a limited grouping of people. So the internet provides a way to look for others with similar interests. And not just on dating sites. Now you can use it to find other people who like to hike or quilt, or whatever hobby you are interested in. New ways to make connections and potential friends. People that you can then choose to meet in real life if you want.

The technology is expanding our ability to connect. But I think we must remember that technology is only a tool and not a replacement for having an actual relationship with living people. Use these tools to connect, but don't limit your interactions to those done solely through these tools.