Albert Eistien once said, “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction, the world will have a generation of idiots.” I do not believe our society or generation to be a bunch of idiots- yet-, but his point on technology surpassing human interaction does concern and challenge me. I have recently become hyperaware by how often I touch my phone when I am with another person. I have not counted the number of times, but I am sure I check my phone entirely too much when I should be giving individuals who are right in front of me my full attention.
This mostly happens in social interactions. With my work, I never want the students or colleagues I work with to feel I am not giving them my full attention. Yet in a social situation, where work isn’t motivating me to focus, I fail at giving the person in front of me my full attention. In the classroom setting I am usually pretty good about putting my phone away, but there are times when I distract myself from the lesson because I am engaged in my technology.
I do not want technology to replace my interactions with humans. How pointless is it that I use technology to make plans with friends and then in turn, while I am hanging out with those friends I am engaged in technology talking to other people. I would like to break this habit, so I am posing a challenge to myself the week of Thanksgiving (and as I lead up to it). The week of Thanksgiving I will put my phone away whenever I am hanging out with friends or family. I will only touch my phone and use it actively if it is for a purpose or I am by myself. I want to fully enjoy this Thanksgiving break in the company of some of my favorite humans who I am most thankful for. Take of this challenge as well and let us know how it goes! I’ll be sure to give an update after Thanksgiving.