Early in this century, the telecommunication industry was given a push with the advent of mobile phones, which stormed every one of our lives, giving us the leisurely pleasure to communicate with our loved ones while on the go. As it continued to grow up as a necessary commodity, with more and more up-gradations and add-on features, it has raised some concerns among people. Some are claiming that it has been pushing its boundaries more into our personal lives distancing the persons next to us rather than the opposite. However, mobile phones, as part of telecommunication industry itself, accept it distances the opposite, in their physical absence; more than it distances the ones next to us is what some are arguing. What could be the mutual point?
Back in 2001, during the graduation days, I had a privilege to see one of my friends carrying the rock solid 8-inch long Nokia mobile phone. At that time, we had only one handheld among eight of us. We would utilize it only in emergencies, especially when we were out of home and rest all the time we preferred developing more a personal conversation with the persons we are clubbed with. The time has changed, so the usability of mobile phones.
A decade after, the mobile phone metamorphosed into a smartphone. Everybody has it, 3g/2g equipped. It has become a luxury and prestigious issue to carry one. So many operating systems, and many more supporting mobile applications, which, all are targeted to engage us, as a user. Across dining table, while on a stroll downtown, while commuting, and even on the bed, to name a few mobile applications, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Whatsapp, have gained much more momentum over face-to-face conversation. They are so engaging that we have ignored the importance of the persons next to us; their feelings, their conversations etc. We have denied the basic essences of human beings; emotional presence, sentiments et al., rather we have kept ourselves entertaining by texting the opposite. As a basic communicative tool, it brought in more cheers but its luxury aspect of seeing the world on fingertips has killed the emotional presence of its users, us; distanced the persons next to us like never before. To the worst of it, the phenomenon is increasing day by day.
On the contrary, the very need of tele communications itself suggests us that we, humans, are distanced more from the opposite persons (who are on the other side of the line) than the ones next to us. Thus, the invention took place. From telephones to mobile phones to smartphones, we have welcomed it as the need of the day to migrate to other places without losing the touch with our families, not physically but emotionally. As a necessary commodity, it was our requirement at that time. Even now, mobile phones as a basic tool of communication, especially in opposite person’s physical absence, distance us like ever, but not at the cost of next person’s emotions and needs. Only when it turns out to be luxurious commodity, as we tend to use it more often, at the personal level, it would be capable enough to hurt the persons next to us and thus distances them more than the opposite.
In conclusion, what we feel is that mobile phone in either ways, as a luxury and as a necessity, distances the human beings from one another, but it always depends on how we use it. The distance from the persons next to us is evitable, and the distance from the opposite is inevitable.
The opinion on mobile phones, a necessity or luxury and distance the persons next to us rather than opposite, might differ with you. If at all, kindly let me learn your opinion.
How it all happened: I was given this topic as a content writer interview topic. Later I found it to be in similar lines with GRE issue essay. Though it was all new experience, I am glad I could at least try it.