The advent of
technology has truly revolutionized human life. It has indeed made our living,
hassle-free, easy, and above all, comfortable. All these have happened at the
expense of the erosion of traditional human values practiced for years by our
ancestors in our life, like taking time to talk to each other, paying a visit
to homes of friends and relatives, and attending marriages or funerals in
person.
Today, we ask about
each other’s health, convey congratulatory messages, New Year greetings by SMS
or emails. It has been accepted norm to send SMS and emails to do these
activities.
In the past, we take
time to meet friends and relatives to inquire about their health, attend family
function and funerals in person. It was unacceptable for one at that time if a
person doesn’t attend social events in person.
But today, it is the
other way around. I remember a relative of mine said “Just SMS me for your
son’s wedding. That suffices, and no need for wedding invitation card.”
Basic human values and
requirements are slowly and assuredly are not being practiced nowadays with the
coming of technology. I remember reading a newspaper report (NST, 16 Oct
2011) stating the technology has led to parents and children spending less
quality time with each other. Studies
show parents spend about 8 minutes a day with their kids, mostly giving
instructions and directives to carry out duties and daily chores.
Today, many spend more
and more time or rather obsessed with technological gadgets like internet,
hand-phones and the like, instead of communicating with family members. Family
members are glued to television and spend hours together, but sadly not
communicating with each other.
It is even reported
that many spend hours on the internet, chatting, browsing, up-dating face-book
and twitting. Even parents send emails and SMS to their children although they
stay under the same roof. It is mockery, but a fact of life today. All these
happen as each and every one of us are busy in our own way.
At times, it is an
irony that we call up friend staying away from us and chat for a long time, but
our spouses and children who are just in our midst are not communicated. Our
family members will value and appreciate the togetherness when we talk to each
other and spend time with them.
The question that
arises: Where are we heading? Once a renowned anthropologist said man is a
social being. I wonder whether such a definition can be accepted today. Probably,
socializing is taking a different form, through these technological gadgets and
instruments. Maybe, it is for the better or worse, we are yet to know it.
