Does the Internet actually bring us further apart?

Question

Does the Internet bring us closer together, or does it actually separate us? I was thinking about the rise of the Internet as a tool for communication and bridging the gap between all of the people of the world. Then suddenly I realized that technology in general, not just the Internet, is presenting us with an illusion of connection, a facade if you will. While technology and the Internet may indeed be connecting us all more and more, it is increasingly being used as a substitute for real human connection. I am reminded of girls at my school who sit outside with their cell phones, and instead of talking with eachother, they just text eachother, even when they are sitting side-by-side! And this happens so often, you wouldn't believe it!

People today are using technology and the Internet under the facade of trying to stay connected and together, when the truth is that it is really being used to disconnect from their lives and reality.

So what do you think?

Answer 1

I would agree that the Internet has served to further disconnect people from engaging one another personally, but has created a sense of community much broader that ever before in human history.  Look at this Answers forum, for example - when else in history could I be answering your question, this fast, over such a distance, in such a graphical interface?

It severs human contact, but creates artificial contacts.  Very paradoxical.

Answer 2

Yes, I have found that my speech has been getting worse since I've been addicted to the internet. I knew how to spell many many words but not how to pronounce. It brings everybody together physically but not...spiritually.

Answer 3

Personally, I still think of it mainly as a connector.

I've always been shy, but I still manage to talk to people on a day-to-day basis out in the real world.  And with the internet I can talk with my family and friends that have long since moved away every night, share pictures and memories with them, and meet new people through them.

I'm going to college in an area I hadn't even heard of initially.  I made one friend online through a friend that moved away, and another through that new friend, and so on, and went to meet them all last year.  I have more friends that I would go hang out with in a place I stayed for a week than I do in the town I've lived in for the past two years.

For me, it's still a great connector. Some people (usually the ones I've already dismissed as "Silly") have lowered themselves to the point of missing human contact if it hasn't been initiated by a device (usually a cellphone,) but not too many, I hope, and at least not the ones I call friends.

Answer 4

Both, I suppose, depending on how each person uses it -- like most technology, depends on the user.

LOL, that image you give is priceless. It would be interesting to know WHY. I can imagine reasons -- they're playing with a new toy; unlike speech, their communications can't be overheard by others in the vicinity.

But you say "INSTEAD of talking..." -- they're communicating, which is what talking is all about. So it's unclear whether they're more apart than if they spoke.

Maybe texting is, paradoxically, more efficient. In speech, only one can talk at a time, whereas both can text simultaneously, doubling the amount of communication.

You could take a poll of such people, asking them why they txt when they're sitting right there, and see if they give you interesting answers -- a bit of sociological research.

BTW, talking to real people (by whatevr method),

is still reality. In fact, the Intrnet gives MORE conact with reality. Instead of relying on the news and views of people pre-chosen for me, I can get news and viws from much broader perspectives and areas of expertice on the web, than by reading paprs and watching TV.

Answer 5

In short, it brings us together.  In the longterm, however, it separates all of the individuals and gives them a false sense of comfort which later destroys them.  Without physical touch and eye contact, humans are doomed.  While technology is wonderful, I often worry where it will lead us.  

I saw a bartender robot on tv the other day.  i was alarmed and realized that soon all services like that one will soon be obsolete...but will humans eventually flock back to the human bartender who knows their name and can discuss with them how their relationship with their wife is going?  Or will we soon make a robot who can do that as well?  

I've seen girls texting each other from across the table...I don't get it.  Where have your words gone?  What worthless things could be said through a phone when it can be said so much quicker and more efficiently and expanded upon so easily by voice?  Are we to become mute?

I do wonder if ever there will be a stop to the expansion of this technological era or if we will destroy ourselves except for a few who will rebuild the earth again?

Answer 6

brings us further apart

Answer 7

i cant disagree with your reference to  illusion.   physical proximity doesnt bring closeness.  it is sympathy empathy love.