In my opinion, there is no substitute for human, face to face, interaction. I think it’s essential for the development of one’s interpersonal skills. For one to get to know oneself better -the deeper, more expansive self. To develop empathy, compassion - a real sense of being interconnected. And this can be accomplished on such an ordinary day to day level of living one’s life. Going to the grocery store, work, out to dinner, the gym, bookstore - a walk in the park. Just a simple smile as you pass someone acknowledges that you “see” the other person. Taking it further with conversation, for me, is the magic. I love hearing someone’s story or a simple exchange in the produce isle, at the checkout line or with the server at a restaurant. I thrive within the context of human contact. I love people, love a sense of connection. I certainly don’t find it “inconvenient”. Quite the opposite.
This quote about community rings true: “Real social engagement requires vulnerability and courage, which you don’t always need when you interact through an app.”
I’m sad for people who don’t get a chance to have rich human connections on a daily basis. It gives life meaning.
When I was a kid, I remember coordinating the most absurd skits for when pizza deliveries arrived, with siblings, friends and babysitters. We would watch the pizza person approach the door, then when (s)he got close we would swing it open and sing and dance in crazy costumes and elaborately turn over exact change and tip. Silly. Fun. Human.
Last year, in New York, I tried to make some small talk with an Instacart delivery person and it was like talking at a wall. He seemed confused, even scared, about my attempt at a tiny bit of friendliness. It bummed me out.
The solution is to put your phone down, walk around a place where you’ll bump into strangers, and say hello to everyone you make eye contact with. It works. I do it every day.
In my opinion, there is no substitute for human, face to face, interaction. I think it’s essential for the development of one’s interpersonal skills. For one to get to know oneself better -the deeper, more expansive self. To develop empathy, compassion - a real sense of being interconnected. And this can be accomplished on such an ordinary day to day level of living one’s life. Going to the grocery store, work, out to dinner, the gym, bookstore - a walk in the park. Just a simple smile as you pass someone acknowledges that you “see” the other person. Taking it further with conversation, for me, is the magic. I love hearing someone’s story or a simple exchange in the produce isle, at the checkout line or with the server at a restaurant. I thrive within the context of human contact. I love people, love a sense of connection. I certainly don’t find it “inconvenient”. Quite the opposite.
Excellent.
This quote about community rings true: “Real social engagement requires vulnerability and courage, which you don’t always need when you interact through an app.”
I’m sad for people who don’t get a chance to have rich human connections on a daily basis. It gives life meaning.
When I was a kid, I remember coordinating the most absurd skits for when pizza deliveries arrived, with siblings, friends and babysitters. We would watch the pizza person approach the door, then when (s)he got close we would swing it open and sing and dance in crazy costumes and elaborately turn over exact change and tip. Silly. Fun. Human.
Last year, in New York, I tried to make some small talk with an Instacart delivery person and it was like talking at a wall. He seemed confused, even scared, about my attempt at a tiny bit of friendliness. It bummed me out.
The solution is to put your phone down, walk around a place where you’ll bump into strangers, and say hello to everyone you make eye contact with. It works. I do it every day.