I am glad you found your way to the blog. In class, we read and discussed an essay by Barbara Bartlein, “Technology is Great — But People Still Need Human Contact.” I would like each student in class to post a reply to this blog entry. In your reply, provide a one-sentence summary where you give your opinion on the main point Bartlein makes. Then in the same reply, give examples taken from YOUR observation that supports your opinion. This should all be done in a 1-paragraph post.
But that’s not all. I want each of you to comment on classmates according to the list below:
Cassandra and Chiquita comment on Angel
Chiquita and Evelyn comment on Cassandra
Evelyn and Herold comment on Chiquita
Herold and Jennifer comment on Evelyn
Jennifer and Johanne comment on Herold
Johanne and Lila comment on Jennifer
Lila and Marlo comment on Johanne
Marlo and Randall comment on Lila
Randall and Regina comment on Marlo
Regina and Rowan comment on Randall
Rowan and Shameka comment on Regina
Shameka and Yonuva comment on Rowan
Yonuva and Angel comment on Shameka
Angel and Cassandra comment on Yonuva
When you comment on your classmates be specific. Give your opinion and support your opinion with examples. I want you to provide honest feedback to them about the content of their original post. You will use your classmates’ comments in your first essay.
These posts should be completed by Tuesday, August 24. Thanks
So glad you liked my article! I appreciate the interest in my writing.
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Technology has changed the way humans communicate; although, “it’s great” society’s opinion has altered towards the way communication functions. Not to mention, technology is a necessity now-a-days. For example, texting has truly become the “norm.” I for one am guilty for this action; I rather send a text message instead of calling the individual. Why? For starters, I firmly believe that texting is a quicker, more efficient, and straight to the point method. Although, texting limits the human communication, it has evolved to each and every single generation, from our children to our grandparents. Texting and emailing has become a daily routine for pretty much “anybody and everybody.”
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Shameka Laurin Reply:
August 23rd, 2010 at 5:04 pm
@Jennifer Paulino, Texting is a little hard for a lot of people that don’t check there inbox’s like me. I prefer calling. Calling some one makes it more easier to say what u have to say and get it over with . A lot of people don’t know how to text and find texing hard .so Jen what do u do when it take the person so long to text u back .
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Lila Garcia Reply:
August 24th, 2010 at 8:46 am
@Jennifer Paulino, I can totally relate to what you wrote and I agree with you in saying that “technology is a necessity now-a-days.” I find myself on a daily basis using the technology of texting. It’s less time consuming and you’re still able to convey the message across. Yes it does feel less personal but as they say “time is money” in today’s society.
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Regina Johnson Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
@Jennifer Paulino,
Technology does not diminish the human moment. Rather, it increases the possiblities of more human moments
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Belinda Mitchell Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
@Regina Johnson,
I agree with you totally, I like how you eloquently put it into words
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The advancement of technology inadvertently altered our psyche to feel more isolated and disconnected from one another.
Our society became so dependent on technology that we have forgotten how to communicate with each other face to face. Texting, emails although easier, they lack the personal connection the mind requires. A face to face conversation for me is always more rewarding than a quick text because I can gauge the other persons’ reaction to my comment or opinion and adapt better than if we were having a discussion through email or phone. A true connection cannot be achieved through an artificial device.
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Marlo Dixon Reply:
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:09 pm
@Johanne Larosiliere, Yes you are correct that there is advancement of technology that has taken over human communication. I prefer the face to face communication more than the phone, texting and emails.
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Lila Garcia Reply:
August 24th, 2010 at 9:56 am
@Johanne Larosiliere, I agree with what you stated “a true connection cannot be achieved through an artificial device”. Human communication is a quality of interaction that cannot be grasped solely by technology. During human engagement you’re able to gain a physical connection with that other person in interacting face- to- face, for which you’re limited in receiving while communicating via text or e-mail.
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Jennifer Paulino appropriately writes “texting has truly become the norm”. We are all guilty of using the tools that technology provided for our convenience but I don’t agree that it’s a necessity for our everyday lives. It’s more convenient for everyone to use the tolls given instead of making the extra effort to see or talk to one another. The easy access to all these outlets while they claim we are more connected than generations before us; we in fact are more isolated than we realize. A computer, an email or even a phone is still not a real person
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Bartlein correctly points out that we are increasingly-indeed to a disturbing degree- using modern technology, e.g. e-mail,text messages,twitter,etc. to communicate with each other,instead of choosing to talk face to face, or even pick up a good old fashioned telephone. Yes! Even a telephone often requires too much effort these days,despite the fact that the person we need to call may even be on “speed dial.” Bartlein warns of the dangers of avoiding the “human touch,” which can have serious, adverse side effects on our health and our very existence as gregarious human beings. We have been warned!
Just recently I became mad when I learned that a client of our office was calling to tell me he was about to send me an e-mail. How ridiculous,I thought. Why doesn’t he just send me the e-mail? His calling me will take up at least 10 minutes of my precious time! How could he dare attempt to call me knowing full well that I specifically asked him to e-mail me his questions! And then my phone rang;it was him calling from Bogota. A particularly pleasant conversation ensued and I was glad to have spoken with him personally…
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Shameka Laurin Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 10:51 pm
@Rowan Mac Donnell, I am not sure if the “other types of communication” in the qns is restricted to the examples given but I believe with the advanced technology now, we can use skype and do video conferencing which also brings me to another point – is the “face-to-face” in the qns referring to physically together or also includes digitally. Just some food for thought.
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Yonuva Rios Reply:
September 30th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
@Rowan Mac Donnell, Well, there are some people that when they e-mail a document or anything they always call before or after sending the e-mail. However, calling is still use of technology is not face-to-face conversation.
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In her essay “Technology is Great”, Barbara Bartlein implies that the person-to-person contact in everyday life is being replaced by technology. There is a level of communication that cannot be reached by communicating through a machine. These in-person contacts are needed to keep our brains stimulated. Technological advances are taking the ability to interact with other people away at a rapid pace. There are no emotions being shared between people anymore. I am just as at fault for these infractions as the next person. I just find it easier to text someone rather than call them. If we are using technology this much now, just imagine how future generations will be interacting with each other.
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Rowan Reply:
August 24th, 2010 at 6:25 am
Randall’s prediction of the future in terms of lack of person-to-person communication is completely on point. He asks how the interaction landscape will appear in years to come, if we are already somewhat out of control.
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Regina Johnson Reply:
August 24th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
@Randall Papa,
Randall,
In her essay Technology is great, Barbara Bartlien has made us think about the importance of communication. I’m not sure if I want to think that far into the future knowing the possibility that verbal communication will be minimal to none.
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Evelyn Hollingshead Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 8:43 pm
@Randall Papa,
I agree that close contact will stimulate our brains. However, when times change we must adapt to it rather than remain stoic in our thinking. Our children are much more advanced with technology and they welcome it. In essence, it has become their way of life. As a matter of fact, most children and teens have cell phones and iPods now. Technology is becoming the must have for youth and young adults through web pages such as MySpace, YouTube, facebook, and twitter. Future generations may not have as much physical face-to-face contact, but they will be able to see each other through web media.
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I agree that technology has change the way of human communication and that the person-to-person contact in everyday life is being replaced by technology.I have to say I am guilty of taking advantage of technology today, I’m one of the many who prefers to interact in a conversation through a text message rather then a verbal conversation.But I have to say that there are certain things that can not be expressed the technology.For example: When in a relationship if your partner sends you a text saying I love you it will not hold the same amount of value as when they say I Love you face-to-face.
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Angel Calzadilla Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
@Shameka Laurin,
Shameka, I agree with you, in the respect that any relationship requires more than just words on a screen or a voice on the phone. We often find ourselves sending so many trivial bits of information over devices that we drown out the important words like “I Love You”. People lie to our faces all the time, and in some cases use your own facial expression and body language to take advantage of that lie. When a person sends those words over text or e-mail, there’s no pretense on the way you look or act, they are simply words of affection. The quality of that content is another matter entirely.
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chiquita butler Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
@Shameka Laurin, Technology should be only used for work. Even with personal stuff it could be some kinda danger with cells phones and pc. So Just picking up the phone talking to a human being and making arrangememts works for me.
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Yonuva Rios Reply:
September 30th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
@Shameka Laurin, I also agree that we are losing human contact because of technology. Do not feel guilty because almost everyone uses technology in their everyday life. I use text messages and e-mails to communicate every day of my life; a day without technology for me would be like a minute without breathing.
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Let’s face it “Technology is great”, but it has taken away from the human contact we do need in our lives. In some ways technology makes us impersonal people. It allows us to say and sometimes do things all by communicating with electronic gadgets rather than face to face human contact. I occaisonally text but I rather pick up the phone and call a person, because sometimes you can get more from a person speaking to them opposed to texting. True feelings can not be determined by electronic communications. I work in an office setting an the principal is a big fan of e-mail and technology. It has made us in the office and the school somewhat anti-social towards each other. Because it becomes the norm to e-mail the person rather than tell them face to face what you need. Technolgy is the future but we as humans need to keep the open line of human contact open in our lives as well. It can stimulate your brain more talking to a human rather than a computer.
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Evelyn Hollingshead Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
@Cassandra Whitehead,
I agree that technology has made us more anti-social in the workplace. However, I disagree that a person’s true feelings cannot be known through electronic means. Someone may feel uncomfortable in telling you something face-to-face but have no problem sending you the same message in a text message or email.
Evelyn Hollingshead
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The human moment distinguishes a form of interaction that is unable to be obtained solely through technology. In her essay, “Technology is Great”, Barbara Bartlein suggests that the human contact is a quality of communication that you cannot receive through technology. Never the less, technology limits our minds potential in grasping emotional and intellectual behavior. Researchers claim that the lost of human engagement contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s. To conclude, exercising your mind away from technology and into human contact on a daily basis is key, to keeping your sanity!
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Randall Papa Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
@Lila Garcia,
Could not agree with you more. Who wants to talk happiness and sorrow by typing from one machine to another? It just seems to cold and unemotional. You can’t tell if that person is sincere or not. I, for one, would much rather have that person in front of me delivering the news so I can see the smile on their face, or the sorrow in their eyes so I can share in that emotion.
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Human contact is still important in our everyday lives. In her essay “Technology is great”, Barbara Bartlein claims that human contact suggests that technology has taking over verbal communication. Technology has helped some people overcome their fears of expressing themselves by emailing or texting. Some people has struggle communicating with
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Human contact is still important in our everyday lives. In her essay “Technology is great”, Barbara Bartlein claims that human contact suggests that technology has taking over verbal communication. Technology has helped some people overcome their fears of expressing themselves by emailing or texting. Some people has struggle communicating with others face to face.
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Randall Papa Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
@Marlo Dixon,
I agree that it has helped some people overcome those fears, but at the same time those same people, at some point in time, have to interact with other human beings, and they are not going to be able to do so without a computer screen in front of them.
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Barbara Bartlein’s essay, “Technology is great”, inaccurately associates the missing “human moment” with an increase in Alzheimer’s related sufferers. Technology cannot be blamed for the quantity or quality of human contact in a modern society, or more notably, this psychologically and mentally debilitating disease. Technology does, however, accentuate humanities most limiting attribute, laziness. The modern world is, for all intents and purposes, a hectic and stressful one where a constant battle between priorities and time is waged. Often, the lazy way of communicating wins out over a time consuming and focused, face to face conversation. The increase to Alzheimer’s rates is more likely attributed to advanced discovery methods researched and distributed by the same technologies that Bartlein attributes as a potential cause. If Bartlein’s essay is accurate, then there should have been a decrease of Alzheimer’s rather than an increase as communication technologies over the lifespan of an afflicted individual have increased, therefore leading to more mental interactivity between individuals.
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chiquita butler Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
@Angel Calzadilla, when you write about health declining from the lack of human communication I think its true I see more people who dont do any thing but sit at a desk weather its home or at work get more sick than a person whos active socialable with others.
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Evelyn Hollingshead Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 8:49 pm
@Angel Calzadilla,
Technology is partly to blame for people’s slothfulness as you pointed out because we live in a society that’s fast paced. Most people want to have things done swiftly and that’s why we have microwaves, computers, scanners, and machines to process items rapidly. When you have dual-earner households, dinner to prepare, children to spend time with and going to school many are using technology to their advantage. During this time it is not slothfulness but a necessity to those who utilize it. Therefore, I agree that one must not rely solely on technology, but it should be incorporated to fit an individual’s lifestyle.
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In my opinion, technology is helpful but in order for people to have long-term benefits of communicatio face-to-face contact is advised. The benefit include healthier brains and emotions. According to Bartlein, when e make physical contact with others our mind is at ease and we feel understood (2009). People crave for the closeness of a human contact because it’s our nature to be proimity of others. When we are able to be physically connected then we call, e-mail, or text to stay connected in our way. Researchers also noticed that people who communicated with others frequently we less likely to develop Alzheimer’s in their golden years (Bartlein, 2009).
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Jennifer Paulino Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
@EVELYN HOLLINGSHEAD, I totally agree with you in the sense that humans do need to “communicate face to face” in order to establish a healthier brain. Although, I agree to disagree, in the sense that, yes it may be healthier to communicate in person, but this generation has evolved tremendously. As the world continues to change, we learn to adapt to new evolution. I personally, rather text or send an email. It makes my life much easier, and I truly believe it is a quicker method. According to my life style, a full-time student, mother, and balancing a full time job is not an easy task. That is the reason why I prefer to send a quick message while continually managing my life. Instead of talking to someone face to face it interrupts my time, because I have to give that individual my undivided attention. While, I can multitask using technology, the whole texting/emailing method, with work, school, and being a new mommy.
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chiquita butler Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
@EVELYN HOLLINGSHEAD, What I got out of the article was even though technology is the way of the world today. Human contact is a much more healthier living. iI often hear people say that they are introverts and they rather not deal with people and the get their point across better via email and texting. In some way we need them both technolgy and human contact.
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In her essay, “Technology is Great,” Barbara Bartlein implies that we are losing human contact because of technology. According to Barbara Bartlein, human interaction is important for the brain functioning. As a result, loss of human contact has contributed to different disseases. People who likes to be alone or isolated tend to develop Alzheimer. Human contact is very important in our daily lives and should not be eplaced by technology.
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Shameka Laurin Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 10:48 pm
@yonuva, barbara bartlein did state a good point technology is great but face to face communication is better when people communicate to each other in person, they can get responses immediately without misunderstanding. During the conversation, people will not only hear the responses others, but they canalso see how they are feeling; people can guess what will take place next, how the conversation is goingon, which is very important to have a successful talk. For example, in criminal inspection, face to face communication can knowdetermine whether or not suspects is telling the truth through the way the suspects answer the questions, their facial, behaviors and eyes’ sight.using face to face communication helps people express their feelings and ideas much better instead of using words only. When people choose letters, emails or phone for communication, people can’t use eye contact, verbal language in order to show their opinions. Scientists show that more than seventy percent of people use body or verbal language in communicating. Thus, it very important for people to use actions to express views.To sum itup, I believe that no matter how developed technologies are, face to face is still the most important and effective way in communicating.
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Angel Calzadilla Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 1:15 pm
@yonuva, Human contact is important, but I would have to disagree with you regarding the isolation of individuals resulting in the development of Alzheimer’s. There are many people around the world who are isolated either by choice or environment but have long, disease free lives. Alzheimer’s is often associated with the elderly or rather someone over the age of 60. Considering that text messaging and email have predominately affected the generations of the past 20 years, it is unlikely that the missing “human moment” due to technology is in part the cause of this disease.
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I loved all your comments. Keep writing and pondering. It makes life so much more interesting.
Warmly,
Barb
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Was there ever a point in your life when you were discouraged? How did you handle the problems you were facing? Many have made wrong choices because they didn’t recognize which way to go and some just didn’t care. Yet, as people mature they learn to listen to the inner voice within them. That voice is mostly associated with God speaking to every human although some would argue that he only speaks to those people who are considered saved. Through the Bible God speaks to each of us daily. The Bible also known as the Holy Scriptures has been viewed as the one book known for giving people guidance, encouragement, and hope.
The Bible gives people guidance on what to do in various situations. Scriptures are in chapter form and most have a concordance in the back. This word list shows the reader what scriptures to read when facing that particular issue. Once the reader engages in the passage he or she will begin to seek understanding. At times people may be uncertain of the meaning of the scripture or may even view it differently from another. Fortunately, the individual’s interpretation will help him through that issue. In essence, he is receiving counseling through the Holy Scriptures.
As well, encouragement probably is the most important thing that people need from the Bible. If an individual is in a depressed state of mind then he or she cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Therefore, his or her view is narrowed and they can become engulfed with negative thinking. No one in their right mind wants to stay depressed all the time. Nevertheless, some people are struggling with depression and they don’t have a clinical diagnosis of it either. Unfortunately, they may have gone through some rough times and become overwhelmed by their burdens.
However, through the Holy Scriptures we obtain hope to carry on with life. The outlook is changed because it’s no longer viewed from a pessimistic mindset. People are then able to tackle their problems head on. They may even need to obtain strength to do it, but oftentimes it’s done effortlessly. As a result, people learn to trust, which is the main ingredient used to believe that change will happen for the individual just as it did for those in the Bible.
The best known book for giving people guidance, encouragement, and hope is the Bible. Throughout the ages it has survived as the defender against all ills and reigns as the link for miracles to happen in people’s lives. Its truths are light to those who read it and a blessing to the people who live by them. Nevertheless, it’s up to individuals to seek out these truths in order to live better lives. Thus, I support the individuals’ decision to gain understanding through interacting with the Bible.
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