Tuesday, December 01, 2015

The modern communication

We have at our fingertips, a multitude of options. So much so, that when a phone beeps, its no longer as simple as reading a text or answering a call.

It's sms, call, viber, messenger, hangouts, skype, whatsapp, video chat, and so on...

We are more connected than ever. We have gotten so used to the immediacy of sending a short message, or a quick video call.

In a world where this opportunity is available, its apparent that we have gotten complacent. We are sold that vision and hearing is communication, that we have forgotten the importance of word.

We see and hear each other doing things together. Watching movies, eating, reading. A lot can be said for the mere presence of that being enough for companionship. And it is true, when the presence is real. But it appears that, with the modern times, it does not translate well to the virtual world.

In the virtual realm, it is important for words to portray the feeling that cannot be portrayed well any other way.

The connection is so prevalent, that we no longer cherish it. We exchange depth for real time.

In the world where minutes were expensive,  we savored each and every moment of it. The talk had to be condensed, wary when the minutes will run out, and you have to spend more, and wait to buy the minutes again.

In the world where letters took time to arrive, we spent countless moments ensuring that the words we write would convey the entirety of our love, worries, anxiety, concern, hope, regret, and whatever emotions we hold at that moment, knowing that should anything be missed, it will take a while to be included, if even remembered. And upon receiving such letters, we took time to read each word, each paragraph, over and over again. We share in whatever the writer felt at that moment, we feel with them. And we had a deep and strong connection.

Is this the way it will be?
Are we doomed to thousands of thin wisps, easily cut and blown by the wind?
Or perhaps there is still hope yet, for the thicker ropes what will actually tie us together?

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