I agree that weddings are not going away. How is texting and not interacting .. being 'social in a way the older generations will never understand'?
If we don't understand, then help us try to.
I'm in the same boat as @DJ J Mac where I'm sort of on the cusp of being a millennial (depending on who's numbers you use) being born in '84. I prefer texts over talking on the phone though that's mostly due to my speech impediment. To me texting is a whole lot more efficient than a phone call. A phone call requires my full attention where as I can text (just to catch up or disseminate information) with 5-6 people at the same time and basically at my leisure. It's a lot less "work" than a phone call.I agree that weddings are not going away. How is texting and not interacting .. being 'social in a way the older generations will never understand'?
If we don't understand, then help us try to.
For me it's very difficult to explain because I'm still not a digital native, I sit between generations. Being social and interacting have taken on new definitions. Millennials have grown up with technology and they're really the first generation where technology has been integrated into everyday life and they've never known any other way.
Let me phrase it this way. Right now, everyone on ODJT is being social, interacting with each other. For many of us this is something we've had to learn how to do and grow comfortable doing. Some of us still think this isn't really being social because we're not having a verbal conversation. For Millennials, they don't know life before this type of technology, so something like forums, facebook and texting are simply other forms of social interaction that have always been there.
Here's another way to look at it. There always have been and always will be generational differences. For every generation before the Millennials, social interaction was always limited to physical proximity, be it in person or having to be next to a landline phone or even sitting at a computer to type an email. For Millennials, technology has removed the physical barriers of interaction that existed for previous generations. This is something that we're not used to, to us it isn't interacting or being social, but to a generation who has known nothing different, it is being social, it is interacting.
Is this new method of social interaction right or wrong? I'd say that all depends on your viewpoint because you can find examples to support both sides of the debate.
I hope that helps some.
As far as marriage goes it's not very important to me. When my older aunts "Ask when you gonna meet a nice girl and settle down"? "Someday" is the best answer I can give. I'd most definitely "test drive" marriage by living with the girl for a year or two to see how we're going to get along together long term before asking for her parent's blessing and plunking down money on an engagement ring.
I totally understand what you are saying. From a familial aspect, how does this 'digital interaction' translate to finding and keeping a life partner?
For me it's very difficult to explain because I'm still not a digital native, I sit between generations. Being social and interacting have taken on new definitions. Millennials have grown up with technology and they're really the first generation where technology has been integrated into everyday life and they've never known any other way.
Let me phrase it this way. Right now, everyone on ODJT is being social, interacting with each other. For many of us this is something we've had to learn how to do and grow comfortable doing. Some of us still think this isn't really being social because we're not having a verbal conversation. For Millennials, they don't know life before this type of technology, so something like forums, facebook and texting are simply other forms of social interaction that have always been there.
Here's another way to look at it. There always have been and always will be generational differences. For every generation before the Millennials, social interaction was always limited to physical proximity, be it in person or having to be next to a landline phone or even sitting at a computer to type an email. For Millennials, technology has removed the physical barriers of interaction that existed for previous generations. This is something that we're not used to, to us it isn't interacting or being social, but to a generation who has known nothing different, it is being social, it is interacting.
Is this new method of social interaction right or wrong? I'd say that all depends on your viewpoint because you can find examples to support both sides of the debate.
Real social interaction,
Do I consider a lot of the forum members here my good friends? You betcha I do. Even though we may not have met in person I have faith that I can count on you guys when needed and I hope you'd feel the same about me.
Hi guys. I won't bother quoting entire posts in my response, but I would like to comment on digital communication.
I agree with Bob's definition of social interaction in regards to followers/voyeurs. However, I disagree that "Communication by text or internet is not enough to constitute "social" connection.". Social interaction is the process by which we act and react to each other. This has nothing to do with physically being present with someone. As Rick just alluded to, a great many of the exchanges in this forum alone have led to or influenced mutual bonds, emotional support, heated debates, services rendered, personal decision making, etc.. Whether it be via carrier pigeon or video conferencing, communication is social interaction.
Sometimes digital exchanges are preludes to real world ones. I have physically met quite a few people in the real world from online socializing. The meetings enhanced our relationships, but certainly did not define them. We were friends long before anyone walked through a door. I also have many more "non-delusional" real connections with real people that I may never meet in person. If both parties perceive it as such, then it's valid.
Is there "a contrived sense of social connection" out there today? Absolutely. But you get out of it what you put in. Just like in the "real world". In my opinion, being open and honest is the key to being social. I can successfully socialize online because I don't squander a lot of my time and thoughts on anonymous users and content.
The answer is not to dismiss the way we now connect, but to demand more from it.