Are We Losing The Fine Art of Face-To-Face Communication

Paul - I was at a shopping mall a couple weekends ago.  There were rows of teenagers sitting on benches in the center of the mall, all texting or gaming.  No one was talking, or interacting with one another, they just sat next to one another and interacted with people in other realms.  I figure if the gods can outsource that communicative energy to robots, they won't need us anymore:-)

Ron - After reading your comment, let me tell of a case, where a guy flew from North Carolina to California to spend time with his aging parents.  But when he got here, he spent at least 50% of time, on his I-Phone, with friends back in North Carolina:-)

Karen - I think much of it is a "compulsive-obsessive" thing, as you point out!

Kathy S. - I make a prediction.  In the not so distant future, folks will begin to treasure stamped cards that arrive by the USPS, with handwritten notes in cursive.  They will be rare, and appreciated for the time taken to be created and written, other than punched out with 2 thumbs.

William - That "pre-anything" label, is just another way for me to say, I'm older than the gods:-)  I always find it so fascinating that you seem to be able to read me even though we haven't met.  Your vision of my smiling at your comments, is quite true.  And I hope your thoughts about no one aging on the internet is true. . .That would make it cheaper than other alternatives and embalming too:-)

Shane- I only hope that some masterful archaeologist has created a Rosetta stone for translation from our old cursive missives, to the LOLs of today:-)

Beth - I agree with you!  There are times when quick response to meet business needs is important, and technology has provided us a way to do that.  However, I think we far too often go way beyond that, when nothing really pressing is going on, and we excuse ourselves from an enriching conversation with one standing next to you, to answer a text that says, "I'm waiting for the gas pump to fill up my car."

Ken - You're absolutely right!  We need to keep up with technology, otherwise we go the way of the dinosaur.  It is important that we use technology, and not abuse it.

Ellie - You have captured the spirit of this blog.  You have outlined the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I remember when we needed to drive offers to other agents, because there were no fax machines.  Do you think I'm happy with technology?  You betcha!  But it breaks my heart to see those rows of teenagers on the couch using opposable thumbs to communicate, rather than interacting with those sitting next to them.

Terri - I admire your great skill at answering an incoming text, while still collecting 25 points for your 10 word comment. . .LOL  That's a classic:-)

Jeff D. - Your sentence, "One has to strike a balance with on-line and face-to-face, or on the phone," addresses the crux of the situation.  And you're right about the laptops and blackberries at holiday events.  I experienced that a little yesterday.  It was quiet enough that I composed this blog in my head. . .LOL

Robert - You have addressed the part of me that I am trying to not become. . .That ol' broad "pining for the good ol' days". . .No longer to exist on earth, but simply texting away:-)

Gary - I think so too.  And like you, I hope we keep in touch with old communication methods.  I can't help but wonder if the next generation will refine communication, and what things they will do to achieve it.

Cheryl - Exactly!  I see people ignoring folks they are with, to communicate with absent.  Yet, when they finally get with the people they had been texting with, they instead text those they just left:-)

Richard - I think Real Estate Professionals have had a front row center seat to the evolution of technology.  We have truly benefitted by its advent.  However, because of those benefits, I think we fear not being totally responsive to it, because we remember when it wasn't there.  It's a double edged sword!

Fred - You and I have seen amazing changes in our lifetimes.  I am glad there is someone who remembers Party Lines being something other than what they are today:-)  Even more impressive is that you recall Mrs. Johnson listening in on the calls of others:-)    The very first real estate office I worked in was down the road from Mather Air Force Base.  The bulk of our business came from selling to Airmen, using VA loans.  I fully remember the nightmarish days when points would fluctuate wildly before close of escrow. 

Joan - I have yet to attend a RainCamp.  I came close to signing up for the one in San Jose a couple months back, but had time conflicts.  I plan on attending one in the future.  Hopefully, somewhere else in the country, where I haven't been before, and possibly where I could meet Rainers I've come to know, but haven't met.

Fred - I think true survival to a power grid failure, will come from knowledge gained from the Amish:-)

Ellie P. - I enjoy conversation with seniors and retirees too.  They seem to have time and discuss the finer nuances of life.

Bob - I agree that cell phones have done more to liberate real estate professionals than just about any advancement in technology.  The fax machine ran a close second, but has already been replaced with other methods, which has advanced those tasks with even newer technology. 

Hella - For out of town clients, technology is a godsend.  I remember before it's present state, it was often like pulling teeth to work with out of towners.

Michael F. - I watched a TV segment that talked about libraries without books.  Everything is becoming "Kendalized."

Cameron - What if everything old became new again.  For example, many of us jumped into social networking, because we didn't want to be left behind.  We abandoned old ways of building client base, which now may be wide open for opportunity because of the absence of real estate professionals. . .Just something to think about.  There is a whole marketplace which has become abandoned and isn't being cultivated and farmed. 

Emily - I should host a dinner party at my house, with the caveat that no tech devices are welcome.  I would only worry that no one would show up:-)

Dorie - Exactly!  What IS up with that!  To me, that is the most confounding question of the day!

Irene - I'm convinced those teenagers will produce children by artificial insemination, with DNA which has been selected via Facebook. .. LOL