Regaining the High Bar

From time to time over the years I have been doing this blog I have decried what I see as a decline in the communication efforts of of our citizens. What continues to trouble me the most is as people interact there seems to be an increasing amount of what I call "talking at" that occurs rather than "talking with." Our desire or ability to listen and actually engage with others - even for a few moments - is eroding. I see this as contributing to a growing feeling of disenfranchisement among people that, in turn, is leading to a shift in what we consider to be most important in life: tangible achievement or gaining attention. Unfortunately, gaining attention seems to have the upper hand.

Ironically, one contributing factor to this is social media. This great technological advancement, in terms of communication as revolutionary as anything we have known since the invention of the telegraph, has become a great enabler to our current shift in life's priorities. What better way to gain attention or get noticed by more people than was ever before possible than via Facebook or twitter?  Even doing something mundane such as going out to dinner and then commenting on the quality of the food and restaurant generates attention, some from people one does not even know. This is definitely a sign of the times.  

Do not misunderstand. I see nothing wrong with the exchanges that occur via social media. What is of growing concern is how this seems to be giving people the false impression that collecting thousands of followers on twitter or friends on Facebook, for instance, represents meaningful achievement. It does not. Social media is easy. Achievement is not. Seeking to achieve represents a higher bar. For us to be the best we can be for ourselves and society, then that higher bar is the one we need and should shoot for. Those involved in the communication profession, either as scholars or practitioners, can play a key role in this. I will have more to come on this.