This is the first of two or perhaps three blog posts stemming from reflections on a course on communication technologies that I taught in January.
The room was dark and empty, lights off and the sounds and voices of eager and engaged students absent. I had returned to take several photos of the classroom the day after class ended. I pressed the top button on the control panel to the left of the door, and the room lit up. Five years of teaching a Winter Term course established a familiarity with control panels that activated lighting, shades, screens, and overhead projectors, although if asked the students would say, “Professor Marum, or Roger (as I preferred), remains technologically challenged.” And, they’d be correct.
The course, a four-week intensive immersion in one subject area, occurs on the Middlebury College campus every January, and is affectionately called J-Term. I’ve had the privilege of orchestrating (a better word choice than teaching) an interactive class on Communication and Connections—a study of social media, smartphones, tablets and computers, and how they influence our relationships. This includes, but is not limited to, our expression of emotions, how we experience intergenerational relationships, and if and how the core values we embrace can be altered to accommodate our fixation with new technologies.
Some of the provocative questions asked about the latter point included:
Do our devices make the distant close but the close distant? We have become adept at communicating over great distances, and at times by choosing screen communications, near or far, we miss out on the face-to-face engagements with those in arm’s reach. The students unanimously agreed with the first part of the statement (the distant can become “close”), and though many thought the latter part was also accurate (the close becomes “distant”), some stated that they consciously sought face-to-face exchanges to prevent that from occurring. The importance of a human voice accompanied by facial expressions and body language will never be lost, they proclaimed.
Do we become tools of our tools? In other words, do we control our tools or do they dictate how we live? The irresistible ring or vibration demands our attention, and the fear of missing out (FOMO) necessitates a response.
Do our devices make information gathering the end goal as opposed to becoming truly knowledgeable? The latter occurring when we take the time to sit with gathered information, experience its perspective and context, allow the facts to brew and percolate and then, perhaps, produce knowledge and subsequent wisdom.
Does our fascination and attachment to our efficient, ever ready, and fast-changing devices create a world in which nothing (the insignificant) becomes something, and something (the significant) becomes nothing? By this I mean that in our communications something as trivial as what you ate for lunch can become as important as your response to the tragedies in Paris and San Bernardino. Many students resisted sharing trivial information, but acknowledged that the temptation to document their every activity was powerful—making “nothing something,” and in the process some things, important ones at that, are frequently skimmed or scrolled over. The breezy certainties of the pedestrian and mundane, or the superficial “taco for lunch” scenarios draw us in because, in our techno-tethered world, they demand less of us.
The students were unanimous in both their desire to embrace new technologies, and their need for vigilance in not allowing “screen time” to alter their human traits and characteristics, their sense of community and deep connections. Some expressed that users of new devices would evolve in ways that incorporated the “new” without sacrificing the importance of each other’s voices, conversation, and core values like love, trust, and integrity. Everyone agreed that reading facial expressions, and accessing body language were vital for intimate and meaningful contact to occur—however, they added, practicing that will require due diligence because the temptation to “skim and scroll” is tempting and pervasive.
These were just a few of the questions students grappled with through readings, written reflective responses, and vibrant discussions.
Now I moved around the spacious classroom, trying to find the best spot from which to take the photo to accompany this post. When I perched on the sill of one of the windows in the back of the room I realized I’d gone to L201 not because I needed a photo, but because I missed being there with the lively, inquisitive students. They had scattered for Winter Break to family homes and relaxing adventures before spring semester. I had returned to my private practice, knowing I would miss the regimen of our two-hour daily classes, but also looking forward to writing new blog posts and reading mystery novels I’d put on hold. And, what of the novel churning in my writing soul—do I have the “grace, gonads, and gumption” to revisit it?
Before leaving the room I returned it to its darkened, empty state. New voices would soon brighten and fill L201. Information would be shared, knowledge gained, and wisdom acquired—that’s what learning is about.
The walk to my car was short, but long enough for me to reflect on the evocative nature of my January experiences. The questions and answers we’d grappled with were launched from the platform of technology, but in fact refer to how we live—do we create distance between our internal yearnings and external actions, or create space for “closeness?” Do we engage our souls and the souls of others, embrace the work of knowing rather than accepting breezy certainties, and live fully into the values we espouse? In January at least, I believe my students and I did.
I invite your input on future blog posts. Are you dealing with similar issues as you become more reliant upon your smartphone and tablet? I look forward to hearing from you.
by 
I truly appreciate your sharing your reflections on your J-Term class, as I find the topic, the questions, and the responses of the students of this generation intriguing. Although I have been a learner and a teacher/orchestrator myself, both before and since the advent of these modern pervasive communication devices, I find myself both engaging with these technologies and wanting to resist some of the less desirable aspects of more superficial surfing. I have been fortunate to have found and reconnected with an old friend and have found a compelling deeper intimacy of communicating electronically with that friend who lives at a distance, thus experiencing the pleasure of bringing the distant closer.
Your reflectiions about your experiences, questions, and quests are written well and invite the readers to share in your journey. I urge you to engage the novel churning in your writing soul, and look forward to reading it. Write on, mon ami.
Colette,
Thank you for responding, and reminding me that we are first and foremost learners who engage and resist and in so doing meet the grist of where learning takes place.
Roger
Good stuff Doc sounds like the students asked good questions and found some answers. think it is an individual choice how much you become emerged in the new stuff Some people find it easier to respond without human contact it is just safer for them. Others need the human interaction of another person. It is to bad when fighter becomes the main method of communicating. Both have big up sides the trick is to strike a balance that meet you needs.
Gary,
Thank you for reading and commenting. The “new stuff” is easier for many, and though at times human contact gets pushed aside these students have consistently proved that regardless of technological advances, human contact is important if not necessary for community.
Roger
My adult daughter tells me that the current generation does not consider it rude to scroll on their phones or return texts while having a conversation with me or each other. She says they are multitasking and have no idea that some in my generation would be offended by this. I was astonished, especially because my daughter is usually right on in her perceptions of people’s behavior and interactions. I told her it makes me feel cut off, disconnected and invisible after the first few moments of conversation if the other person begins to check their messages. She thinks my generation needs to get over feeling it’s rude becauses it just isn’t in this age of gadgets and constant electronic feedback. Am I just a grumpy senior way behind in the current norms of communicating? Or is the cell phone that addictive to the “younger” generation?
Laney,
Thanks for this response, and know that you and your daughter are not alone in this, nor is it just a generational “thing.” You’re not “way behind,” and if grumpy, you’re not alone. Young adults recognize the differences between respectful and disrespectful behavior, but it requires stepping outside the comfort zone that technology encourages–being tethered to devices that demand and expect our immediate attention and response. In the course students have suggested going without their devices for 24 hours, and with a couple of exceptions done so. I collect phones, mine included, keep them until the next class, and when we gather the next day the students report on their experiences. Typical journal-responses reference how anxiety producing it was;no contact, no clock or alarm (no one wears watches anymore) etc., but how relieving it is to not have to be “on” and available all the time. Technology is rapidly pushing us into new ways of being in relationship as did the original phone, radio and TV–we’ll evolve and adapt now as we did then.
Roger
Your classes are very important, Roger. You are getting your students to think and ask questions about something they are mindlessly doing with lightning speed all the time, helping them not to think. Is this an elective class? I give them alot of credit to want to explore this subject. I actually had a strange thought about all this: that this furious attention to texting and attention to gadgetry encouraging less talking to each other may be hurtling us onto another level of consciousness, to a place where we will be able to communicate without words by mental telepathy. That they are actually facilitating this change.
But, it’s not just the young. I am amazed at the patrons where I sing at on Saturday nights in Long Beach, CA – all ages – most are fixated on their cell phones. First the tvs were bad enough to contend with, and now patrons are playing tv shows, videos, music shows LOUDLY on their cells while I am singing. At times I have asked that they turn them off and other times I just don’t bother. It’s incredible that they aren’t aware or don’t care that they are being incredibly rude. So commenting on Laney’s post: yes, Laney, this is all very rude behavior. But what can we do? What can a singer/guitarist do? Keep singing. Keep talking.
Thank you for commenting, Jo Anne. The idea of an implanted chip that would allow telepathic communications is an abhorrent thought to us as it is for the students with whom I talk. Never, they say, would I permit something to be placed in my body regardless of how “hands-free,” and efficient it would make me. It is in development, and will likely be touted in the future. Attendees at performances, intimate gigs, and open-air concerts use phones to communicate their presence as well as skim and scroll, text and communicate with others–it is part of today’s world, and if used discreetly can be a marvelous tool for capturing the moment, but when the device “has a life of its own” demanding attention and response rude and discourteous behavior may insert itself. Many sites, and public places ask or insist (for the sake of other patrons) to place devices on airplane mode–I applaud your doing so, and keep singing!
Roger
Jo Anne,
Thank you for reading and commenting and sharing the experience of performing before an audience that appears to be captivated by two performers, and thereby captivated by neither–keep singing!
Roger
Your class and interaction with the students is timely and significant.
I shared your post with a colleague. We facilitate over 40 sessions a year mostly with younger adults. It is always a topic that surfaces.
I like the differentiation between being tooled or having a tool. Just because we can do all these things does it mean we should?
Tools should help us be more effective.
Research continues to indicate that multitasking does not make us more effective. The way our brain is wired actually causes multitasking to work against our effectiveness.
It still seems to be that real presence is a gift that we can offer to each other. It is unfortunate that it is a gift that is offered less and less.
These are important conversations.
Alan,
Thank you for your comments, and I agree with you and the research as do students, multitasking has benefits but does not make us more effective. You and I are exchanging words that convey our thoughts on this magnificent device, but I miss your presence for animated discussion, and as you say “the gift we can offer each other.” All changes involve evolution and necessary change. My hope is that core moments and times of being present in each other’s lives will never leave us.
Roger
A friend of mine wrote; “A lovely and moving piece, Roger. I could feel the energy of the room, it’s emptiness, and it’s anticipation–all feelings I suspect we both experience in day to day life about so many things.”
Thank you, my friend, and you are spot-on.
Roger
While I use some of the technology available to us, there is much I don’t use. My main fear that I see, especially among young folks is the lack of socialization and face to face communication when so much of the language is done by automatic means. As an example, last year while in a motel in Stowe five young folks were all sitting in a lounge area and everyone was on their cellphone. Not a word was spoken. I also see it between two people at a table in a restaurant. I do realize that it is the best way to communicate over distances. At least the telephone and cell phone provide a voice to voice conversation.
Bud,
Thank you for reading and commenting. The events you observed are common place, and occur across generations. Young adults say they value face-to-face engagement but have adapted or integrated that with screen time. Perhaps this is an evolutionary change. Connections via social media demand less of us than do communications in person, and however close the distant become the possibility of distancing us from those close by and ourselves is increased.
Thanks, Roger
I remember J-terms well at Franklin & Marshall College. There’s a certain kind of intimacy that develops among the students that have chosen to stay on campus in the dead of winter and together experience something new. Your description of the empty classroom, illuminated by the bright light, perfectly captures that feeling in reverse.
While we all run the danger of being controlled by our technology (chiefly by checking our devices too often), I would argue that, overall, it enriches us. We have all become dedicated researchers (Google), catalogue designers (Pinterest) and editors on sites like Reddit and StumbleUpon. We may document the ‘mundane’ in our lives, but in the process discover the small things that make us human. And the ability technology has afforded us to stay in touch with children at college, loved ones overseas, and to reconnect with old friends is invaluable. All within moderation, so they say.
Thanks for sharing this provocative post, Roger
Carole,
I appreciate your insight. Profound and mundane need not be exclusive of each other because we can find human wonderment in the commonplace. The giving up of control to the incessant demands of the “other” is the tough part for all of us, and especially those who have been raised in a technologically sophisticated world. My life, as yours, is enriched by facilitating devices. Moderation, as you state, has its place–but do I ever test the limits!
Thanks,
Roger
It is so wonderful to synthesize the truths of a new generation to their older counterparts. What a privilege and a legacy to debate and confront these issues. My opinion, we who are human and know ourselves can use any form of communication to cling to, support, confront, but especially love one another. It is our attitude, not the medium that prevails.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Kay. Well said. Roger