How Technology Changes How We Live

June 1, 2011

Interview with Jason Ohler, author of the book Digital Community, Digital Citizen

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Mike Carruthers:
Ever since cellphones became available people have complained they are a big distraction.

Jason Ohler:
Well I think most people have that visceral experience where they’re talking to somebody and a text comes in and they say, “I gotta take this.”
 

Jason Ohler, author of the book Digital Community, Digital Citizen

But the reality is that the distracting devices that encourage and facilitate this allow us to manage our many lives at the same time so it’s a real trade off. Technology always connects and disconnects and this is a great example of it.

But for many people it’s just plain annoying when someone you’re with ignores you to text or talk on the phone.

People feel like you’re rude if you stop and say, “I need to take this right now.” And yet, I’m sensing a shift in that actually it’s becoming rude if you don’t allow people to go ahead and take that call because it’s pretty much expected at this point. I think it’s real easy to hate being distracted until it’s the distraction that’s really important to you and then you’re glad someone distracted you.

So what are we giving up to have this cellphone technology in our lives?

Well I think you’re giving up that intimacy and commitment to the moment that we used to have. For whatever value you might attach to that. But we’re very much in a click here go there kind of society now and we’re constantly living with options.

To hear the complete unedited interview, click here