Human Interaction

The Internet Can’t Replace Real Human Interaction

David Wolpe | September 16, 2015

Watching people assemble for services on Rosh Hashana, I was struck anew by a powerful reality of houses of worship: They remain that rare place in American society where people of different ages sit together in common cause. Yes, people gather at a sports arena or concert, but that is to watch, not to participate. Besides, the baby in the stroller and the 93-year-old are not usually found at the same concert. In a world where community is increasingly difficult, and atomization is becoming the norm, Prayer is a moment of togetherness.

Source: http://www.fastcodesign.com/3027921/facebook-google-and-sony-are-getting-ready-to-fight-a-cyberpunk-war

Sociologist Robert Putnam famously wrote about the shrinking of social capital more than a decade ago. Observing that bowling leagues declined as more and more people chose to bowl alone, he cast his eye about society and saw the fragmentation in almost every sphere of public life. 

<more at http://time.com/4036310/rosh-hashana-internet-sacred-spaces/; related links: http://theurbantechnologist.com/2015/04/12/3-human-qualities-digital-technology-cant-replace-in-the-future-economy-experience-values-and-judgement/ (3 human qualities digital technology can’t replace in the future economy: experience, values and judgement. April 12, 2015) and http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/02/the-good-and-the-bad-of-escaping-to-virtual-reality/385134/ (The Good and the Bad of Escaping to Virtual Reality. Researchers believe new immersive technology could lead to isolation, but maybe when social needs are met online, people won't need in-person interaction as much. February 18, 2015)>