Texting takes its toll on human relationships
Texting warps human interaction (Anibal Santos)
Chemistry is more than just a science class. The chemistry I refer to is the human connection, whether it’s emotional, physical or psychological. For example, one feels chemistry when they meet a potential best friend or soul mate for the first time. Texting doesn’t give us that kind of connection.
Communicating through texting changes our interpersonal relationships for the worst.
Some disagree.
“I think texting is a good thing, because we can communicate with anyone wherever, whenever we want,” said Jeranie Cabinbin, 20, kinesiology “I also think technology gets a bad rep, because people just think most people using technology are lazy, but that’s not always the case. It’s based on the person, whether or not they want to be out and active, not the gadget.”
Texting does have benefits. It helps when one needs to ask or answer a quick question instead of playing phone tag all day to get simple information.
As our evolving world picks up speed, we have no choice but to catch up. I can’t imagine having to call constantly or walk to someone’s house just to communicate. Texting is the future and the future is now.
Keeping up with the world involves more than just texting these days; it involves Facebook messaging, iChatting, Skyping and many other tools used to communicate quickly. But there is still something to be said about face-to-face communication.
Dr. Bob Matthews, clinical psychology professor at Saddleback College, agrees. “There is something lost in texting,” Matthews said. “Texting is good, and is useful in crazy situations like emergencies, such as the 9/11 attacks or in shootings, but it also isolates us.”
Matthews explained the phenomenon of the PEA hormone, a special chemical that kicks into high gear during in-person contact. This is essentially the “chemistry” hormone.
“Texting de-individualizes us and allows the texter anonymity, and we don’t get a sense of who they are through text. There is something to be said about having a real feeling,” Mathews said.
During Matthew’s many years living on the White River Indian Reservation, he picked up a Navajo Indian phrase, “whojooah” (woo-choo). According to Matthews, whojooah is the balance of mind, body and spirit, and involves a passion for life.
“As long as we have whojooah, we can ‘see the light,’ as Yoda would say-he knows all,” Matthews said.
There is no worse sight than an entire group of people seated at a restaurant all texting. There’s no whojooah at those tables, and there are certainly no number of exclamation marks or emojis you could send me that would come close to having a conversation in real life.