subject: Technology and communication [print this page] Technology and communication Technology and communication
Technology has affected so much of our lives that it shouldn't come as a surprise that it has changed the way we communicate with each other, from everything to how we meet, socialise and conduct our private lives.
It all began with the mobile phone. When mobile phones became a part of everyday life it no longer became necessary to arrange to meet at a certain time we now say those immortal words: "I'll ring you when I get there."
Sometimes you could be forgiven for wondering how on earth we managed to ever meet anyone before the advent of mobile phones!
Thanks to mobile phones, we feel less nervous when travelling, knowing that if we are running late or if we break down we can contact a friend or loved one. But mobile phones aren't always used for good. Sometimes, we let people down at the last minute, because we can, and sometimes we text instead of calling, when a call is more appropriate.
Email was another change to communication. Suddenly, now we could keep in contact with friends and family around the world. We could send photos, share news and arrange things. All for free.
But the problem with email is that sometimes the finer aspects of communication would get missed. It is too easy to write an angry response and press enter' to things that should have been left unsaid; had it been a letter, it would have been torn up or burnt because you would have come to your senses before you had the chance to post it.
There is no cooling off period with emails.
The business of dating is changing because of technology we communicate via technology and, thanks to dating sites, we meet via technology too. Are dating sites the best thing to come to the world of human relationships or are dating websites passion and romance killers?
Who knows, and perhaps it is too early to tell what the effects of dating websites will be on the future of human relationships.
With the internet affecting so much of our lives, it would be foolish to imagine that it wouldn't affect our love lives too.
