Cell phones.
Are they good? Bad? Addicting? Freeing? Time wasters? Connectors?
Cell phones sometimes have a really bad reputation especially when it comes to social contexts. There is the stigma that young people do not interact with each other in social settings because of their cell phones. Honestly, sometimes that’s true. But that
is on the individual and not the device. People still lose themselves and ignore others with newspapers, TV, or other things.
is on the individual and not the device. People still lose themselves and ignore others with newspapers, TV, or other things.
Why am I talking about this? Because as much as cell phones are seen as a social barrier it is actually a barrier breaker. Tonight I got to sit on my bed for over an hour having a conversation with a woman who I would otherwise have been unable to communicate
with. Due to our translation softwares we can talk about our pasts, our dislikes, and the differences in our cultures. I have talked about desires, travel, food, schooling, medication, family dynamics, government and so much more.
with. Due to our translation softwares we can talk about our pasts, our dislikes, and the differences in our cultures. I have talked about desires, travel, food, schooling, medication, family dynamics, government and so much more.
Yes, even when we aren’t using our phones we can laugh and figure things out but there is a deepness that would have been otherwise unreached.
I am grateful for the ability to connect with people back home, to post updates, check the weather and take pictures. But these last 3 days I have had a new level of appreciate for my phone. It has given me connection and relationship that I couldn’t obtain
with the language barrier.
with the language barrier.
Cell phones can’t be defined as good or bad. It’s all about the purpose it is being used for. Right now, it’s being used for building bridges that I am grateful for.
