What Einstein had to say about Social Media
“I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.”
– Albert Einstein
Waking up to the beep beep sound of my chats.
I immediately picked my phone,
Bae’s message popped up,
With smiles, I said to myself, Folarin!!! can you do without social media?
Interestingly, I know someone out there can relate to this scenario.
Social media refers to any phone- or Internet-based application that can be used to engage in communication with other people across space and time. The most popular ones include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp; blogging applications or websites that allow users interact with each other.
The defining feature of social media is that it enables a large number of people, potentially strangers, to communicate with each other in a streamlined way.
This luxury was initially accessed strictly through computers, but with great technological advancements over the last ten years, the option of affordable feature phones have increased access to a mind blowing array of social communications.
To an extent, social media evolved to enhance interpersonal relationships but over the years we have noticed significant negative effects.
Social media has brought about fewer human interaction since it is easier to access. It has increased the tendency to interact with people online rather than in person. Although it has numerous benefits, people have become more antisocial than ever before.
Not only has social media affected the number of face-to-face interactions, people are now having lesser intimate conversations and personal interactions. It has become easier for us to turn to the Internet as an alternative to trying to start a relationship with another person.
As a psychologist has said:
“Although social media relationships can have a positive effect on us emotionally, numerous studies have been conducted linking social networking to depression, social isolation, eliciting feelings of envy, insecurity, and poor self-esteem” –Dr Paula Durlofsky
Experts believe people are beginning to have less etiquette and manners when interacting over mediums like texting that limit characters. This affects what we say and sometimes eliminates the tone that the speaker may be trying to convey.
As people become used to these methods of communication, the lack of politeness and manners that is often times noticed over instant messaging services have encroached into our daily conversations.
Experts in these fields have come to a nearly unanimous decision that those who use social media in excess are beginning to lose their manners in areas that are essential to everyday life, such as a workplace environment.
The question is, are we indeed becoming a generation of idiots just like the great Einstein predicted?
Very nice write-up Tosin! And i believe Einstein might have been right about having a generation of “Idiots” but i also believes this still boils right down to the individuals themselves.
Its very obvious how social media has connected the world as a whole but people tend to either abuse or take things for granted.
This has over the years affected people but particular sets of people. The people who don’t have discipline, etiquette and proper upbringing.
In the terms of Human interaction, this is either as a result of False sense of connection, cyber-bullying, etc which are some negative impacts of social media but this factors play a role also.
I on the other hand would be elated to meet and interact with someone i met on a social media platform right in person. It just makes it easier for me instead of the traditional walking up to someone and saying “Hello!” But as i said earlier, it all boils right down to the individuals themselves!
Nice article!
Is true
Social Media: the identity of the current age; beyond having a generation of fools, Eisten didn’t express the advancement envisioned in all aspect of human endeavour in a way that it ultimately enhances human interaction. Although when taking to the extreme, human interaction in its direct and physical sense is much affected but the fault should be on humans not prioritising one on one physical interaction as much as it should other than in formally relevant situation. Social media in its influenced has brought about a timeless world; a generation of timeless interaction.
Pingback: EMOJI: THE DIGITAL VOICELESS VOICE - Zumalo.com