Is Technology Making Everyone Shy?
from the tell-that-to-the-anonymous-cowards-and-the-trolls dept
We've seen technology blamed for all sorts of things over the years, but this may be the first time we've seen the rise of gadgets blamed for a "shyness epidemic" (via The Raw Feed). Apparently, the number of "shy" people out there is increasing -- though, the article is quite short on details. It only says that 40% of people used to report being shy, and these days 50% do. However, it doesn't say when that change happened or look into whether or not there's any sort of self-reporting bias for this data. Instead, it appears that folks just want to blame technology, saying that the lack of face-to-face or voice communication means that people are somehow losing the ability to be comfortable in those types of interactions. It would be nice to see this backed up with a little more than just the fact that more people self-report being shy -- though, it's certainly possible that these gadgets do put up a shield that prevents people from getting over shyness. It would just be nice to see some additional research that looks at the actual impact, rather than just jumping to the conclusion.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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I think it's the other way around...
I think we're just more interested in having anonymous talks with strangers. We meet many more people today than ever before. And the fun thing is that when you do meet in real life, your friend will have had a chance to know everything about you before they meet with you. They know all about your fantasies and you know all about theirs.
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Re: I think it's the other way around...
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The internet is a mask to hide behind
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Technology can make you speechless
As to the previous comment about being more open online, yes I agree but when it comes to face to face cowardice is apparent. If you have a problem with somebody tell them to their face, don't go home and blog about it, that was a definition of a Nerd.
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Re: Technology can make you speechless
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Define Shy
Shyness in regards to online activity is not the same as shyness in regards to offline activity.
Of course most people are less shy when participating in online activities. This is due to the predisposed myth that what is done online, behind a computer screen-name, is done anonymously (wrongfully predisposed, I might add). People think they are anonymous online...which just isn't true. But that equates to more openness when communicating online.
People are not becoming more shy offline, they are becoming less capable of communicating without a machine and a predisposed hidden identity.
Where people are being open online, they are now being closed offline.
People are forgetting, or never learning, how to communicate, or how to communicate effectively, without the use of a machine.
It's a sad existence, actually.
Take text messaging, for example, what a phenonemum...people texting when they could be talking face to face or on the phone.
MrShy ;)
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Re: Define Shy
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I don't think this is true...
I Less than three computers
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Shyness
Seems way more likely.
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I'm Shy
So I'd think that it's not because people are losing communication skills, it's just that this country is just too damn PC. Or at least I'd like to think that.
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Geeks
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Re: Geeks
Though, I do agree that chatting and MySpace are huge wastes of time.
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Re: Geeks
i think technology doesnt help or impede shyness. we have been social beings for a lot longer than modern technology has been around so i doubt that its going to completely rewrite our genetic predispositions.
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Re: Geeks
I would guess you are a prostitute, but since you claim you are "The Man", you must be a gigolo.
Either way, you are clearly a waste of time. Even more than MySpace or chatting.
From what I've seen, there are many tech venues that have drawn out people who would otherwise have not come out of their shells. There are benefits and drawbacks to just about everything; it usually comes down to the aspects on which people choose focus.
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The New Shyness
Conversely, the Internet is allowing other, more outgoing types, the ability and option to 'cocoon' and stay a bit more private than in the past, as far as conveniences available in all consumer areas.
And finally on the topic of privacy, the Internet and technology in general continues to erode at personal privacy. It's hard to call anyone using Myspace, Facebook or any other networking site shy, when many members so willingly post their personal details. If anything, the Internet is dynamically redefining shyness in ways not fully comprehended.
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Re: The New Shyness
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