What is it costing our communities?

TECHNOLOGY

Based on Jessica Bashaw’s first critical reflection paper

The world is getting smaller…

• With the advent of the internet and the increased accessibility of information, instead of LIVING their culture, people are now merely learning about it. (Page & Hill, 2008)

• But the internet is not where this disconnect began…

But at what cost?

• The unintended consequence of technology, reducing a sense of community, can be traced back to the advent of the telephone.

• Neighbors no longer relied on each other for a sense of affiliation and connection, now that those discussions could be held across greater distances.

(Herrmann, Fox, & Boyd ,2000)

The first culprit!

• Most people who took part in this discussion felt that they were able to maintain a balance between their LIVE community and their ONLINE community.

• The internet can strengthen those relationships that may now have to cross distances, but it is also important to make a point to meet people locally as well (Abad, 2012)

Finding a balance…

Having lived in Hawaii, Washington DC, New York City, and Upstate New York I have connection with people across the country. It is embarrassing to admit, but despite living in Cambridge, NY for over six years, I do not know many people here. My strongest connections (outside of my family who I live with) are still with friends from high school and college and my family, all of whom are spread across the country from Long Island back to Hawaii. Thank you Skype and Facebook.

My Experience…

I have never been to the BSC campus!

Can we have the best of both worlds?

So many of us go from this to

that

But can we have this and that?