Everyone’s entitled to a little hypocrisy now and then, right? I’ve always been a stalwart supporter of the free progression of science and technology. Multi-function prosthetic limbs? Sign me up. Vat grown Human/Tiger chimera? Where do I donate my genes? Of late, however, I have hit a moral impasse I am not quite able to mentally navigate.
Social media has developed in the last decade into a very real and vibrant community, with virtual neighbours to chat with over cold cups of coffee. I am ok with this. In fact, I think it’s great. I am constantly publicly posting articles on my social pages, hoping for textually mediated discussion. The environment allows people to respond in their own time, which breeds confidence, which breeds great freaking ideas.
The problem I have come up against is that no one will talk to me anymore during the mid-class 5 minute break. I brought this up recently in class when I got tired of pretending to read the blank notebook in front of me, just a general observation put out into the world. What I received in reply were 20 quick, disinterested glances and an aural respite of about 4 seconds before the various degrees of clicking and tapping began anew. What I said was, “It is interesting that we can all be here together, alone.” Social media has invaded my social time.
I’m a disgracefully busy man; some of you share my burden I’m sure. When I have five minutes on a bus or in class I want to talk to human beings. What is so interesting on that Blackberry that you can’t maintain eye contact with me past that 4 second mark? According to Daria Kuss, a researcher at “the other Trent University” (Nottingham), indications are that social media is not really about active communication between parties. Instead, it is a tool which allows individuals to present themselves in a positive manner, leading to a pleasurable feeling. It turns out this pleasure is highly addictive. The technical term is social networking sites (SNS) addiction.
Holy crap. Addiction, I get it now. I smoked cigarettes for ten years, and when people told me it got in the way of our friendship, I abandoned those friends like the cold ash drifting from the tip of my overpriced Belmont. I’ve seen evidence of this hypothesis firsthand, such as individuals checking messages on little plastic boxes while walking right into the road or while driving. Both these examples are unfortunate recipes for destruction that can only be explained through addiction.
So, maybe that’s it - I don’t get it because I just haven’t taken my proverbial “first puff” of mobile SNS. As long as you choose your time of use wisely, cell phones are safe…right? Trent U’s very own Magda Havas (Associate Professor, Environmental and Resource Studies) suspects not. In her opinion, the effects of cell phone use share a commonality with cigarettes…brain tumours. To be fair, many vehemently disagree with her. San Diego physicist Bernard Leikind writes that it is physically impossible for cell phone use to damage tissue in any way, if anything it may provide a slight protection from cancer.
Blah, Blah, Blah. The fact of the matter is; I don’t care. I’m sure people will go on believing whatever they want no matter what any trained and experienced professional has to say, and death has been laughed at by scores of smokers for years now. Do the research, form whatever opinion you want to, BUT PLEASE, stop tapping during the 5 minute break. While cell phones may or may not kill you, my withering glare takes no prisoners.
