Has Our Personal “Poltergeist” Taken Us Over?
- Details
- Created on Monday, 18 July 2011 18:35
- Written by Jeff Huntington
- A discussion of electronic device etiquette.
Ever since the proliferation of laptop computers, cell phones, tablets, and other electronic distractions devices, it is almost like no one is fully paying attention during meetings these days. I’m talking about every kind of meeting including: Board meetings, council meetings, staff meetings, and even family dinners.
These devices are supposed to help us connect with people more. We use Facebook, Twitter, and other “social” media outlets, but what is truly happening? While we are connecting with other people via “i” thingies, are we loosing the real “social” face to face?
I have sat in many meetings where we are trying to accomplish, whatever it is we are trying to accomplish, and a text comes in to Joe on my left, a phone call comes in to Sally on my right, and there’s Frank looking up the price for the best hotel room for his trip in three weeks. I’m just about to say something to everyone and I get a Facebook invite alert on my cell phone and I’ve got to see who it is and decide whether I want to “friend” them or not. Why were we all at this meeting anyway? I can’t remember.
It’s like we all have our personal science fiction glowing light portals. My memories go to the movie “Poltergeist” where the little girl is transfixed on the glowing television set showing us nothing but static, only she could see what was really inside. Next time you’re out to dinner with a friend or your family, pay attention to how many people are transfixed and have glowing hands and faces sucking their attention into their own electronic mini televisions. Then, ask yourself how many times you’ve had your attention sucked into the little lights when there was someone across the table that should be your first priority.
Here is my suggestion, for what it’s worth: If the goal of family or business meetings is to connect with the people at the meetings, do that. We need to turn off or make our cell phones silent, close the lids of our laptops, and close the cover or put our iPads tablets face down. Make eye contact; connect with those you’re surrounded with. If you don’t want to do that, maybe you shouldn’t be there. If you need to reference something on your device for the meeting, great, but then put it away. If you have an emergency call, take it, but if you want to be effective and connect with others, make eye contact and at least pretend you are interested in what is going on. Everything you do will be much more effective.
P.S. – This is written from someone who really loves his little "i" thingies devices, but people are and should continue to be more important.