The Parallel Evolution of Technology,

Social Media, Connectivity & Isolation

Image by haglundc

By: Steven Hawthorne

In order to connect prior to the invention of

the internet, the telephone or the telegraph…

…we were required to interact through face-

to-face conversation or through letters. Image by loungerie

To be connected socially, we needed

verbal interaction in social settings. Image by thetaxhaven

With the invention of the telegraph, the

telephone and the radio…

…we were suddenly able to communicate with

others hundreds of kilometers away. Image by Alex Ragone Source: MIT, The Telephone

Once television came

along, people could

actually see what was

happening around

the globe.

Image by dailyinvention

Finally came today’s

technologies, connecting us even

more easily. Image by Yutaka Tsutano

Not only have

modern

technologies

made it easy to

connect…

…but social media

like Facebook &

Twitter allow

instant global

connection.

Image by SalFalko

This availability of communication via the

internet and social media has created a

dependence on technology for interaction.

Source: Andrew Lutfala, Technology imposes social isolation Image j&tplaman

It would appear that we are more

connected than ever before…

…since there has only been a small to modest

drop in adult discussion networks since 1985.

Image by Phil Hilfiker Source: Hampton et al., Social Isolation and New Technology

Specifically, the size of the

core discussion group has

decreased by 1 person since

1985. Image by CRASH:candy

Source: Hampton et al.,

Social Isolation and

New Technology

Importantly, only 6% of Americans

have no one to discuss

important matters…

….or who they

consider

“especially

significant”

Image by Mo Riza Source: Hampton et al., Social Isolation and New Technology

So it appears we’re as socially connected as

ever before, but are we physically connected

to others?

Image by Justin Marty

How often are

we

socializing

and it is

unacceptable

to use a

phone…

… but we

need to

check for

updates?

Image

by

“Nemo’s

great

uncle”

People then often create excuses to leave that social

setting and check their ever nagging technology.

Source: Dirk vom Lehn, Technology and Social Interaction Image by Dawn

And it would appear people do use

their technology to check nagging

social media…

…the total daily

minutes spent

on social media

increased from

88.48 minutes in

2011 to 121.18

minutes in 2012.

Source: Donald Remy,

Technology: a social

interaction or

distraction?

Image by William Warby

40% of students in a survey by Cisco Systems, Inc.

expressed internet being more important than

dating or going out with friends. Source: Veronica Vela, Study shows Internet is replacing real social interaction Image by Paul Walsh

How many important opportunities have you

accidentally missed out on…

…because you were plugged into some piece

of technology or social media? Image by Mike Love

Similarly, it has become far too easy to drown out

the outside world on purpose using technology.

Image by Jenny Poole

To avoid this, many families create “device free

zones”…

…but this does not solve the entire problem.

Source: Sherry Turkle, The Flight From Conversation Image by Paul Mayne

Though we may choose not to use our phones,

tablets, laptops and ignore our social media accounts…

…the notifications keep pouring in. Image by Ash Kyd

So it would appear that technology is helping to keep

us socially connected…

…but physically, we’ve developed habits that isolate us physically from those surrounding us.

Image by zilverbat.

All images are from Flickr and are licensed under the

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agreement

Photo Credits

• http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/graham_bell.html • http://trail.pugetsound.edu/2011/10/technology-imposes-social-isolation/ • http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/18--Social-Isolation-and-New-

Technology/Overview/Findings.aspx • http://vomlehn.wordpress.com/2013/04/10/technology-and-social-forms/ • http://www.thefamuanonline.com/technology-a-social-interaction-or-

distraction-1.2823126#.UY_0F8qrzpE • http://www.eaglenews.org/study-shows-internet-is-replacing-real-social-

interaction-1.2645627#.UY_06sqrzpE • http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/opinion/sunday/the-flight-from-

conversation.html?pagewanted=all • http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/opinion/sunday/the-flight-from-

conversation.html?pagewanted=all • http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jan/30/alone-together-sherry-turkle-

review • http://www.howtogeek.com/161468/connected-but-alone-how-technology-is-

changing-human-connections-and-communication/ • http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/technology-connect-isolate-reality • http://thecommunicationsstrategist.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/does-online-

communication-lead-to-offline-isolation/

Sources

Image by ‘Playingwithbrushes’