The more people rely on computers the more people become alienated from one another. There is no plausible premise for this statement. If isolation between individuals occurs, the cause would be misuse, and that’s on the operator. Computers open doors to communication, and today they’re the forefront for discourse augmentation. Does this ‘reliance’ of such electronic devices impede social interaction? To answer this question we must firstly, take a look at what role computers have in human interaction.
In terms of communication, computers are essentially a convenient platform for its users to interact without physically being in contact with one another. However what’s greater is that fact that computers also have portable versions, namely smart phones, laptops, tablets an so forth. Resultantly, we are almost never too far out of reach from another. We’re just a phone call or an sms away. Thus, it would be greatly counter-intuitive to account human alienation, to computers.
Then why, why raise such a preposterous idea, that a device that aids communication, would be condemned for causing isolation in society? It’s because humans are oblivious to their own faults. One might find themselves being alone, despite talking to many other people online, via their computers. It is disconcerting to think that the majority of us end up trying to satisfy the chemical drive for social interaction only by having an ‘online presence’; we Facebook message each other or have a Skype chat. Instead what we should be doing is seeking physical contact.
To be fair, mingling with others can be uncomfortable, especially to the novice. Being able to talk to others face to face is a skill, and therefore needs to be developed. However it is up to good parenting, education, societal influence to promote offline communication, and highlight its importance. Without that, the users of computers would be their own cause of alienation, where virtual reality becomes an excuse for procrastination of face-to-face interaction.
One the other end of the spectrum, those that have a sufficiently developed skill in verbal discourse will find that computers will bolster their interaction with others, by becoming an extension of themselves. Such individuals will find they are able to meet new people easier, but also hold on to them. This is what computers can do, and what they are designed to do. Only misuse of such a technology could possibly cause alienation. Just like guns, guns don’t kill humans, humans do.
Kevin-K
The Scholar's Tabloid 