In recent years, the way humans communicate has greatly improved thanks to the new heights of technology. Stores such as Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung have blessed the world with new, touch-screen devices that allow us to have the world at our finger tips. The unlimited data plans and wifi connections make it so people have access to any information they want. The ability to connect with a person using different sources of communication such as phone and text has only elevated the ways in which individuals can interact with others. Even the most reclusive, cowardly-lion bunch have become dazzling socialites waiting to pounce. If it were not for these outlets, humans would not have the means to effectively and efficiently outreach and network. Conversations have now become more frequent and with more people signifying increased social awareness. What could be more fun than debating in the comments section on a Facebook post whether or not Kim Kardashian is a good mother [fun example]. With people’s busy day-to-day lives, having the time to communicate and interact with people is hard to find. However, the ability to reach out to anyone while multitasking saves time. The world today is so efficient that sadly, there is hardly any time to sip on a nice cup of joe while conversing with a friend. Thanks to the high technical power of smart phones, now one can send multiple emails, text numerous friends, and even catch up on last night’s rerun of The Bachelor all in one sitting. Many people argue that all of these outlets of communication hinder our people skills, but actually, they are making it easier to talk. The following was a real dialogue between my mother and me.

*Ring Ring Ring? “Hey Mom. What’s up?”? “Hi Hun. Could you do me a favor? Ask you sister what flavor yogurt she liked please.”? “Sure! Let me text her!”? “Where are you?”? “I’m at home!”? “Where’s your sister?”? “Upstairs... Sorry she's taking forever to text back. Let me call her really quick. Stay on  the line.” “Good God! I will pick out a flavor myself!”? “Wait, its it’s ringing. Darn [comma] she didn't answer. Let me Facebook message her!  She’s always on.”? “Seriously?”? “Hold on [period] she's typing! I knew I could reach her! She says she wants strawberry.” 

“Thank you.”

As demonstrated above, being able to communicate through multiple sources has its perks. It ultimately saves time and energy. I mean think about it, face to face conversation is so difficult. Being able to have the freedom to talk behind a keyboard has made conversations fast and full of ease that bas never been there before. That conversation with my mother saved me from traveling upstairs while I was busy in my work and allowed me to reach my sister with  minimum effort. People who are not as tech savvy or who do not engage in the perks of networking outlets  do not appreciate the true value of these new ways. In this day and age, life is too short to wait around to catch up with your now middle-age old high school friend that you did not really talk to a lot but still keep around because she is one of the only people that will listen to your marital problems. Today, you can simply message her your problems and within two minutes to two days you will get a response on how to deal with it by becoming a wino.

But what is this weird social paradox that the less you see a person the more you are willing to open up? I mean, all of these ways to communicate give us a therapist practically 24/7, and it is free until you get your cell phone bill. Who needs to go to some shrink when you can get advice from “like 10 of your best friends ever”? What we need to do is We need to push the boundaries even further. Imagine what we could do if we had holograms. Instead of Face-timing a friend, you could actually hologram yourself and in some ways be in their presence. Just as in all of the Hollywood movies, you could be a small digitalized version of yourself. The convenience and ease of this paired with the potential social skills developed only makes me question why have we not done this yet?
As modernized humans,we are always trying to find new ways of complicating our already “complicated” lifestyle. But communicating is something that has been ingrained in our heads ever since we were created. When elders say that the new generation’s social and communication skills have become obsolete, I just think they have a screw loose. In all honesty, they are probably jealous of all the new technological advances they didn’t have at our age. Efficiency is key in our ever-expanding and modernizing world, and our generation is perfecting it.