Is Technology Making Everyone Shy?

from the tell-that-to-the-anonymous-cowards-and-the-trolls dept

Wed, Sep 5th 2007 6:04am — Mike Masnick

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.

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Filed Under: gadgets, shyness

25 Comments

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Lisa Westveld (profile), 5 Sep 2007 @ 6:40am

I think it's the other way around...
I think people are less shy nowadays because they can share their feelings more easily without looking someone else in the face. As I understood it, topics like sex were barely part of your daily discussions about 30 years ago. Nowadays people talk about nothing else, apparently, on the Internet. :-)
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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LoneWolf367, 5 Sep 2007 @ 7:03am

The internet is a mask to hide behind
I know I use it as one. I am shy and have trouble conversing with people I don't know. And even subjects I'm not comfortable with I won't and havn't shared with my closest friends. However, all is fair game online. It's an outlet without the need to actually face anyone or potentially face consequences. I think that the internet does make people a little bit "socially retarded" when used to a large extent and the need to actually connect to real people fades away.
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RandomThoughts, 5 Sep 2007 @ 7:11am

Technology doesn't make people shy, but makes it easier for someone not to overcome being shy.
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matt, 5 Sep 2007 @ 7:13am

Re: I think it's the other way around...
I agree 100% that tech has created better communication and less shyness. If it weren't for cellphones, telephones, cars, highways, airplanes, where would we be? Probably a heck of a lot less social as a society than we are now.
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Mike, 5 Sep 2007 @ 7:35am

Technology can make you speechless
Wrong! All this Technology is making people very isolated when in public. People rather text somebody while queuing in line then talk to the person next to them. They become oblivious to any change in their surroundings because all they are caring about is their own private conversation.
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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MrShy, 5 Sep 2007 @ 7:35am

Define Shy
First of all, one has to define shyness.

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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Stute, 5 Sep 2007 @ 8:28am

I don't think this is true...
I was a very shy person, but after getting involved in various tech related things (going to big LAN parties, organizing LAN parties, being officer in tech club...) I would have to say I'm a lot more comfortable in large groups because of technology!

I Less than three computers
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Killer_Tofu (profile), 5 Sep 2007 @ 8:54am

Shyness
I would have to assume that it is more referring to people being shy when talking to others / new people face to face.
Seems way more likely.
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This guy, 5 Sep 2007 @ 8:56am

Does anyone remember that you used to have to write letters to communicate with people not in your immediate area not too long ago. People then were still shy, over weight, criminal, violent and many other things that people blame on technology.
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Chronno S. Trigger, 5 Sep 2007 @ 8:59am

I'm Shy
I'd like to say that I'm shy around new people. not because of technology or the predisposed anonymity, but because of all the crap I hear about. Someone gets sued for sexual harassment for walking up to a person and said "You look pretty" or someone tells a joke that turns out to be offensive to someone, despite the intent. Person A pokes fun at Person B and Person B drives 1000 miles to burn down person A's home.

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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The Man, 5 Sep 2007 @ 9:48am

Geeks
There is truth in stereotypes. The shyness is not a result of technology, it is just that shy geeky people prefer to communicate that way. Have you noticed that good looking, well adjusted people you know don't use myspace or chat? I have never chatted, think it is dumb. Myspace is a waste of time. Get out of the basement, get some excersise to lose a little weight and live a real life. Technology is for work. If you use technology for recreation (video games, downloading movies / music, dating, chating) you are a loser.
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Buzz, 5 Sep 2007 @ 10:25am

Re: Geeks
On the contrary... I participate in video game competitions. As a result, I have done far more traveling around America and meeting new people than the rest of my family. How am I a loser? There is nothing wrong with using technology for entertainment (and I find it is the best kind because it allows me to venture into other worlds).

Though, I do agree that chatting and MySpace are huge wastes of time.
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This Guy, 5 Sep 2007 @ 10:32am

And hanging out at the mall, bar or other place doing nothing but socializing is not a waste of time? Games, online networking and other tech things are good in moderation just like anything else.
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The Man, 5 Sep 2007 @ 10:44am

Re: Re: Geeks
Competing in contests indicates some sort of prize, usually monitary. This makes your video game play, however unusual, work. Anytype of activity performed where money can be obtained is not a waste of time and does not qualify your for loser status. Bull riders, golfers, etc all perform activities in the same way to make their money. Sitting in a basement playing xxx (Pac Man is all that came to mind, I do not know any game names) without any chance at reciving money from doing so makes one a loser.
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Math Challenged, 5 Sep 2007 @ 10:44am

I'd have to agree with that brief article though. Only last year I noticed that less that 40% of the people were above average in shyness.
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Anthony K, 5 Sep 2007 @ 10:59am

Re: Technology can make you speechless
I agree, technology has indeed made us some very crappy humans.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Sep 2007 @ 11:02am

I am only shy when I am naked in public.
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Chronno S. Trigger, 5 Sep 2007 @ 11:54am

Re: Re: Re: Geeks
So playing football with a few friends makes one a loser since there is no chance to make any money?
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Kostas J. (zatorg), 5 Sep 2007 @ 12:25pm

Re: Define Shy
Well said, agree fully.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Sep 2007 @ 3:06pm

Re: Re: Re: Geeks
So who here are losers cause this posting is for sure not work.
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DB, 5 Sep 2007 @ 7:52pm

Re: Geeks
"Anytype of activity performed where money can be obtained is not a waste of time"

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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marktribbia, 6 Sep 2007 @ 7:42am

The New Shyness
The Internet is enabling people who would be intimidated from ever interacting with others in the past, a means to do so, albeit in a less than conventional manner.
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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name, 6 Sep 2007 @ 12:50pm

Re: Geeks
i know a lot of people who use myspace to get laid (with people they know offline). so ur claim is meaningless and ur basically just an egotistical idiot.

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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gloria tribbia, 13 Jan 2009 @ 8:07am

Re: The New Shyness
Oh how nice to see your true abilities in full force. Keep it up!
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bbbbbbbb, 4 Feb 2009 @ 9:51am

eh
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