Comments on: Conundrums of Connectivity

By: Phillip Gibb

Phillip Gibb — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:10:10 +0000

In some ways the internet can become detrimental to a relationship. We have laughed at all the jokes and cartoons, maybe even gulped thinking that that is so me.

My wife loves it when a pull out a real book and read it, he he he. Actually I love the tactile feel of a book over things like blogs and clicking the next button with the mouse.

But as much as the internet cannot replace ‘physical’ relationships it cannot be discarded completely because the online communities and connections are just as real.

By: Luke Cornwel

Luke Cornwel — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:05:18 +0000

Brad,

You are right on. It is ironic and sad at the same time, but I have started questioning the true validity of my relationships. Not just my acquaintances, but my real true friendships as they relate to Facebook, Twitter, blogs, text messages, etc. i.e.

When our small group gets together, we have almost nothing new to talk about! Why? Because all week we have communicated in all the impersonal ways mentioned above (and others). The result? I find it is hard to develop true, deep, relationships. The idea of sharing experiences with your closest friends, having “inside jokes”, secrets, and other relational strengthening experiences/knowledge is starting to disappear.

Long term, for me personally, and others (especially the Church), i don’t believe this is good.

By: Drew Goodmanson

Drew Goodmanson — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:19:15 +0000

Brad, Good post. I just went through my own evaluation of this stuff, Developing a Personal Social Media Strategy: Blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter…who am I?. Appreciated your thoughts.

By: Mike Giering

Mike Giering — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:56:43 +0000

When my employer made recent salary cuts we decided that the easiest and healthiest way for our family to make up much of the loss was to drop our Fios TV and Internet, and the data plan on my Treo. Benefits so far: not working from home all night long, better connection with my wife and baby, and my eyes aren’t crossed anymore from staring at the screen. In a word, it’s been GLORIOUS!

By: Joseph Fehlen

Joseph Fehlen — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:26:25 +0000

This is where my head has been the last month. Just wrote about my struggle last week on my site. I keep thinking what is the next hoop of connectivity we “need” to jump through. We are going to have so much going on keeping up that we might not have time to actually communicate. I am thinking about inventing a new product…a pen and paper.

By: Weston Williams

Weston Williams — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:23:31 +0000

I found this post on Twitter…so obviously I can relate. You’re on to something with the over connectivity. I wonder though if it’s not so much the reorganizing of the brain to believe that the world revolves around you, rather than struggling with the illusion of importance. We believe that the internet and virtual “friends” and contacts are as important as our real life relationships – I’m afraid that’s the main problem. We substitute “real work” for “virtual work” and shift everything one step out of reality. I think we can capture these tools as social utilities, but must not allow them to become social substitutes.

By: Kyle Chowning

Kyle Chowning — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:09:34 +0000

A great question to ask, but an even better perspective. Thanks for sharing. It’s something I need to think through too.