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High touch, not high tech and face-to-face, not interface (Wired, but not connected)
By Willie J.
Young
Director of Off-Campus Student Services
The Ohio State University
Every invention has a cost or consequence. The car gave us greater mobility and less time at home. The television helps us to see, while at the same taking away the power of seeing or imagination of the radio. The air conditioner gave the breeze, but helped to eliminate people siting on the front porch shooting the breeze.
The computer and e-mail gave us the power and ability to reach out to the world electronically, and yet, not touch.
Progress! Success? If success is measured one person at a time, how are we succeeding? E-mail is the enemy of this high touch person today. "People who need People" are the luckiest people in the world. Barbara so beautifully sang about it and I still swear by it. The song said people need people, not computers. I know the world is not that dualistic, but I am pushing for a sense of balance in the way we communicate and relate. I hear so much about the "Digital Divide" but I want to emphasize the growing "Caring Divide" that affects most people in the world, even those in remote places that have never seen or heard a telephone much less a computer. If we are careful with our words, we can reach them, if we enunciate "heart drive" and not hard drive, we still have a chance. Jokingly, I think when I die; I would like Pallbearers and not Pallbytes present.
Please, if you will, think of the most meaningful conversation you have had during the last three years. Was it on e-mail? Think of the most critical decision you have made during the last three years. Was it on e-mail? And, think when you had to send something in a short amount of time. Was it on e-mail? Ecclesiastes talks of a time and place for everything "under the sun". AND THE SUN SEEMS TO BE SETTING ON THE FACE TO FACE, interpersonal relationships that have helped to nourish, maintain and, in a few cases, aggravate.
Ah, e-mail, so convenient, maybe not comforting; so fast, maybe not friendly; so worldly and not local. E-mail has enabled us to communicate with the world and yet not walk next door or across the hall and ask a question, share a thought or say hello.
Some have built their lives and friendships around e-mail- how wonderful and inexpensive. Jan Yager, the author of the book "Friendshifts", shared a story recently about a lady who had lots of e-mail friends and never thought much of it until one day her car quit on her and she had no one to call on the phone for help.
A study conducted at UCLA found that effective communication was 55% non- verbal, 37% sound, and 8% words. How important is or should e-mail be in your work world or personal world?
Final thought or plea:
Go visit, if you can
Call, if you must
If all else fails, USE e-mail.
The views reflected here are those of someone who dislikes computers, but understands and appreciates the many benefits. I even "typed " this on a computer out of necessity.
About the Author
Willie J. Young obtained his bachelors and masters degrees from Bowling Green State University. He currently works at the Ohio State University in the position of Director of Off-Campus Student Services. Willie participates on the program committee for ACUHO-I, has served as President of the Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers, and is a member of the Phi-Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity. Willie's interests include spending time with his wife of 25 years and his son Willie, Jr., sports, poetry, and trivia. Willie is the author of the Monthly Mind Clutter located in the fun stuff area of the Reslife.Net website.