I’ve always felt like a bit of an outsider; someone that just doesn’t quite fit in with the crowd. I think that a lot of teens can probably relate to me in feeling this way, and if you are at all like me, I'm sure you have tried to figure out why. Personally, I think it's because I’m mature for my age, so much so that I’ve been told I’m an old soul (there’s a reason I’ve been misidentified as a teacher by more than one substitute). I think this “old soul” label perfectly describes me, including the fact that my best friend is probably my Nana, and sometimes it scares both her and I that we are so much alike. I believe that for me, this also has to do with my values. While I think that technology is a great thing and that the future generations are going to do incredible things with it, I also think that there is a lot of room for improvement, specifically, things that we can take from generations past. There are some things in life that just aren’t being learned anymore, many of which are things that can’t be taught in school. If you read the title of this blog post, you might know where I’m going with this, and I’m sorry for the long winded intro. Anyways, I think one of these long lost arts, not being taught, or even really valued, is people skills and the ability to have and hold a conversation. Sure, yes, we can all talk, but that’s not quite what I mean. What I’m getting at here is the ability to hold a conversation with anyone - strangers, bosses, colleagues, friends, grandparents, and how these conversations can affect both yourself and others. Have you ever met someone whom you instantly just clicked with? The day you meet and first talk to each other, you can both instantly have things to talk about and go on and on about? You understand them, and they understand you, sometimes almost as if they are in your head. I love when I meet someone like this, and in particular, my relationship with one of my best friends is like this; the same day we met we talked for numerous hours with no shortage of things to talk about. These kinds of experiences bring us happiness and joy, make us feel valued, important and like we’re not alone. Being an outgoing extrovert, conversations with others give me joy! I especially like when those conversations are meaningful and personal, such as when someone goes above and beyond in answering how their day is going, and shares something more personal, or the brutally honest stuff. Even a simple question or comment from a stranger brings me joy. Sometimes, if I’m feeling frustrated or upset, having a face to face conversation can make my mood totally turn around and help me see the good and positivity in my day. Often those random conversations are the highlight of my day and my daily gratitude takeaway. Being brutally honest, I struggle to have these conversations with many other teenagers. Often I feel like too many of those conversations, if I have them at all, are bland and surface level. When it comes to technology, sometimes the very thing that was created to bring each other closer together (technology, social media, and other communication apps) only creates a bigger wall that we have to break down to truly have these deep conversations. As much as I love that technology is bringing us together, it only makes it easier to see, hear, or communicate with one another. It doesn’t build these personal relationships for us. Personally, talking over the phone or messaging someone through Instagram or Snapchat just doesn’t feel the same. Because of our current situation of quarantining and social distancing due to Covid-19, we’ve had to learn how to use technology as our only connection to keep personal relationships going and to stay connected with one another. The first time I learned to use Zoom, I felt like I only missed that person more after seeing their face and talking to them through a computer. It just wasn’t the same. We’ve all had to learn and adapt during this time, but communication using technology would never be my first choice. If I did have a choice, I would way rather go up and talk to you. I don’t know about you, but I really miss these in-person conversations. I hope that this time during Covid-19 has helped society (and each individual person) see what the world is like communicating from behind a screen and that we should never again take face-to-face conversations and personal connections for granted. Olivia K
16 Comments
amelie
5/11/2020 12:23:00 am
love this blog, i can relate to it so much, and i know how you feel on being an outsider. in my opinion communication is key, holding a conversation makes things so much easier and quite more fun. through this whole pandemic situation technology is our best friend, and i can for sure tell you talking through a screen isn't the same as talking in person face to face. just a little change can makes a huge difference.
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nevada
5/11/2020 08:42:51 am
Hi Olivia! I definitely feel the same way as you. I’ve seen the way technology has affected my younger brother. But I also see how it’s affected myself. I do find that I have trouble talking to strangers and having general conversations sometimes. I can talk about anything and everything with my best friends but not really with other people so I see what you are trying to say there. I also liked how you brought up the importance of conversation and communication in the workplace and you gave examples of other areas where this is a necessary skill.
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Madi
5/11/2020 09:18:23 am
Wow. This is a very powerful blog. This shows a lot about a conversation and that’s pretty sick
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shirley huang
5/11/2020 09:26:43 am
I like your blog. Conversation is a very important element for people's relationship. People need contact each other to share the different and opinions. In addition, if the relationship is lack of communication, it will bring misunderstanding.
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Emilie Penzl
5/11/2020 09:29:00 am
Really great blog. I understand your point and I also prefer more to have face to face conversation than screen conversation. I think our generation lost skills about conversations but also gained new important skills for the future.
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Maya Arnold
5/11/2020 10:00:50 am
This was a really well written blog and I really enjoyed reading it. I think it's true that our generation has become so wrapped up in technology that we have all somewhat forgotten how to have a proper conversation with other people. But in saying so during these times technology is almost our best friends because that is our only way of communication with other people.
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matthew
5/11/2020 10:04:31 am
wow this is great. i totallyrelate with you in thta people purage arnt as fun to tlak with. I can connect and chat with midle age people much easier cuz they can actually comunicate (for the most part). a family parties all i do is talk with the adults cuz i cant bring myself to have apainfu and pointless conversation with the kids. but therre are select few our age who i finf alright. I definatly also miss al the in-person conversations that wedont have right now because of COVID.
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Riley Matthews
5/11/2020 10:05:11 am
I know its hard not seeing family in person and when you do its not the same because we all have to stay so far apart. I try and connect with my friends by going on bike rides with them as we keep our distance. Maybe you could do that! Very good blog.
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Georgia
5/11/2020 10:12:18 am
I agree with you and most people that are commenting, tech is great but sometimes it hinder ability’s to speak to people not through a phone. But at the same time if we didn’t have technology then we couldn’t talk to people we don’t get to see face to face. I have a lot of family in England and we can FaceTime all day and talk to keep in touch so that’s nice. Especially during Covid we need to stay in touch with our friends
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Janeva
5/11/2020 10:55:11 am
I agree - teens nowadays don't have the same "street smarts" and conversational skills because of the modified communication of the day. I've also found that the current global health situation is helping people learn about real conversation and practice it - because we are deprived of the ability to do so right now.
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kaelen
5/11/2020 11:25:33 am
Despite the advanced technology, we can even talk to anyone on the planet and a local person, or even video chat. But do n’t you feel that something is missing, face to face conversation is essential. face to face conversation allows us to better observe a person's expression, such a conversation will bring people closer, you can clearly feel the mood of the person you are chatting
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Jenny
5/11/2020 12:28:11 pm
I appreciate your thoughts on conversation. I actually find I open up more through written word, and I like being able to organize my thoughts in writing. I do find it can bring me closer to people.
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Eric Hortness
5/11/2020 12:35:47 pm
Hi Olivia, as a senior I have seen many of the advantages of technology as well as the disadvantages cell phones have created by their demands on our time reducing the importance of conversation. I think only time will tell if we will continue to suffer this loss.
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Alexa
5/11/2020 05:32:58 pm
I really enjoyed this blog! I definitely agree to how technology is not the same as real life communication.
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Maya Sanghera
5/15/2020 11:26:54 am
Olivia, this was a very important blog. Our generation has gotten to the point where all our conversations are behind technology. We are not gaining the social skills we need by maintaining our relationships via snapchat. Especially at this time, everyone is unable or on pause for the in-person convos. This is not good because having people skills is a part of life. We just need them. I will never take in-person convo for granted again! My family has daily Zoom meetings to just see each others faces, see how everyone is doing, and to catch up. Its hard because you just want to go see them because it is so different from the actual experience. We have a new baby in the family, and we can't see her. She is growing up so fast and we are missing it. Staying at home because of the virus has really showed me how much I appreciate those in person connections.
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Devon
10/6/2020 02:25:27 pm
Hey Olivia, thank you for sharing. I agree with you. I have found that more and more people find difficulty in expressing themselves in face to face conversations. When using social media, we are able to perfect our responses to questions asked of us and then when we are faced with live conversations, we tend to stick to simpler topics to see the easy way out. Very well spoken!
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