Decline of Interpersonal Communication and Spirituality

One of the most frustrating things about the dramatic increase in the rise of social networking devices/programs such as cell phones, MSN, and facebook is the inevitable decline of interpersonal communication. We are no longer required to talk to eachother face to face in order to maintain our relationships. The Bauman article discusses the rampant rise of individualism and the decline of meaningful, long-term relationships. He gives a few reasons for this phenomenon: 1) quantity is valued over quality (this includes relationships), 2) virtual relationships are easier to enter/exit, and 3) the idea that long-term relationships are a trap to avoid at all costs. We live in a world where we are always looking for our next immediate "entertainment fix", and unfortunately many people can't seem to find that excitement in meaningful relationships anymore.

Another result of the rise of virtual, network relationships is that communication is becoming more and more about organizing schedules and meet up times, or talking about what shows were watched on television the night before and less and less about the deeper and more significant things in life that we should be cherishing, but aren't. The less we think about existential issues in our lives, the less we learn about ourselves and the natural world around us. We need to get back into thinking about our soul and our place here on Earth and get back on the path to spiritual discovery.