Digital Media Class - Photo Essay Link - Victoria Zombie Walk 2017

Hello Blog Viewer,

First - Thanks for stopping by to see what's up - Second - Here is a link to my photo essay which was an assignment for my Digital Media Class for those of you who aren't also in the class. - I thought the subject matter was perfect given the time of year. - Enjoy!

C/P

P.S - Feel free to comment as you wish.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/aZLc1O6L0O7zxXKA3

Thoughts on Sherry Turkle's Connected, But Alone Talk

When I was suffering from a long term illness I was cut off from the world I knew. Social media allowed me to reconnect but it also gave me the opportunity to pick and choose who, how and when I would interact, without explanation. Gradually what was a tool used to stay connected became the preferred method of communication as it acted as a veritable shield between me and the world that ailed me.

I agree there has been a shift from technology enhancing our real world to replacing our real world. 

Rather than connecting with family and friends, social media has become a place to monitor their activities and pick and choose how involved we become. It has become a place to hash out real world issues, often with strangers, because we're too afraid to have these same conversations face to face in our communities, or we would rather have them while conveniently remaining in our pyjamas. 

Not only have we become less connected with each other, but I believe also less tolerant. Sadly we seem to view people who wish to have real conversations with us as rude for interrupting us, especially if we have to alter what we're doing to hear them out, or that they're invading our space and privacy, and we wonder how the person missed that we're on our phone, we're busy. We miss the important details in our environments because we're monitoring virtual ones. We miss the opportunities to help someone in real life because we're sending a life to a friend in Candy Crush. 

Ms. Turkle gave her Connected, But Alone talk in 2012 and the technological world has charged on since then. But If you listen closely you can hear the whispers of people wanting more out of their lives then being constantly connected. They miss real connections, and they are starting to take small steps to change things, simple steps like placing all cell phones in the center of the table when they get together for lunch. There is talk about mental health, and getting back to nature, talk about saving energy, and the importance of disconnecting. 

I believe the winds of change are coming.