We, human beings have inherent need to share and connect with other fellow human beings. "Man is by nature, social animal..." said Aristotle.
We are sharing and connecting with world like never before! The unique, convenient communication tool of various social networking sites is at our service helping us reach out to the world. It is amazing how we are able to find likeminded people and form deeper connections. There is a sense of belonging and it is easier to reach out to others at click of the mouse.
Our interpersonal relationship and need for communicating with the world has changed drastically. Our relationship with the world seems much more direct, open and engaging. After closely observing and participating in interactions and connecting with many people from diverse backgrounds on social networking sites for quite some years, I have noticed that we are sharing far too much in virtual world and it is certainly, much more beyond meeting our inherent need to share and connect. The question is why are we so verbose on social networking sites?
With so many avenues open for talk and express views, we have suddenly found a voice and we sometimes get a false notion of being listened to. There have been many instances when I have been utterly shocked by the content shared on Facebook, Google plus or twitter. A social networking site plays role of a sanctuary, where friends, loved ones and our extended circle can connect and create a cozy microcosm. But even within that little world there are things that are too personal in nature to be shared with anyone. Why are we unabashedly making our lives public, I wonder? What makes us keen to broadcast every minute detail of our life on a public platform is a matter of interesting study.
Behind our carefully crafted personae; there is a human being, seeking attention. Some of us are little more desperate than others. We want novelty from our mundane life. We wish for camaraderie, distraction, recognition, acceptance, feedback, validation and even love! Ever thought about what are we conveying through our status messages and comments?
We are talking about all kinds of subjects from God, politics, art, literature, movies, theater, music, children, love , marriage, universe etc. and it is indeed wonderful! Most of the comments people write are very appropriate, scholarly and extremely elegantly written. Perhaps, some of them can be considered even the best written comments on the subject! Each person behind that comment is extending his/her consciousness to the discussion as he/she needs that intellectual/emotional/sentimental stimulation to connect with people from his/her self-created microcosm. We want discussion, chatter, gossip and convey we are "alive ' and that our existence really matters in thousand different ways. There is this bittersweet narcissism about it.
When I sometimes read incessant status/comments on Facebook/Google plus/ twitter and see the photographs shared, I am tempted to tell people, "PLEASE get a life!" I am not setting myself above the fray. Most of us have experienced that state of going overboard on social networking sites but mercifully come back to our senses.
What we need to understand is that Social networking sites can sometimes deprive us of our solitude without offering us companionship. Sadly, that is too steep a price to pay and absolutely not worth it.
Sometimes, its great to honour silence methinks.
We are sharing and connecting with world like never before! The unique, convenient communication tool of various social networking sites is at our service helping us reach out to the world. It is amazing how we are able to find likeminded people and form deeper connections. There is a sense of belonging and it is easier to reach out to others at click of the mouse.
Our interpersonal relationship and need for communicating with the world has changed drastically. Our relationship with the world seems much more direct, open and engaging. After closely observing and participating in interactions and connecting with many people from diverse backgrounds on social networking sites for quite some years, I have noticed that we are sharing far too much in virtual world and it is certainly, much more beyond meeting our inherent need to share and connect. The question is why are we so verbose on social networking sites?
With so many avenues open for talk and express views, we have suddenly found a voice and we sometimes get a false notion of being listened to. There have been many instances when I have been utterly shocked by the content shared on Facebook, Google plus or twitter. A social networking site plays role of a sanctuary, where friends, loved ones and our extended circle can connect and create a cozy microcosm. But even within that little world there are things that are too personal in nature to be shared with anyone. Why are we unabashedly making our lives public, I wonder? What makes us keen to broadcast every minute detail of our life on a public platform is a matter of interesting study.
Behind our carefully crafted personae; there is a human being, seeking attention. Some of us are little more desperate than others. We want novelty from our mundane life. We wish for camaraderie, distraction, recognition, acceptance, feedback, validation and even love! Ever thought about what are we conveying through our status messages and comments?
We are talking about all kinds of subjects from God, politics, art, literature, movies, theater, music, children, love , marriage, universe etc. and it is indeed wonderful! Most of the comments people write are very appropriate, scholarly and extremely elegantly written. Perhaps, some of them can be considered even the best written comments on the subject! Each person behind that comment is extending his/her consciousness to the discussion as he/she needs that intellectual/emotional/sentimental stimulation to connect with people from his/her self-created microcosm. We want discussion, chatter, gossip and convey we are "alive ' and that our existence really matters in thousand different ways. There is this bittersweet narcissism about it.
When I sometimes read incessant status/comments on Facebook/Google plus/ twitter and see the photographs shared, I am tempted to tell people, "PLEASE get a life!" I am not setting myself above the fray. Most of us have experienced that state of going overboard on social networking sites but mercifully come back to our senses.
What we need to understand is that Social networking sites can sometimes deprive us of our solitude without offering us companionship. Sadly, that is too steep a price to pay and absolutely not worth it.
Sometimes, its great to honour silence methinks.
