10 Ways Technology Helps Us Connect More Deeply

Technology has come a long way over the past few years. From payment cards to self-driving cars, we have some impressive technology to show for our work. However, technology has done far more than just make our day-to-day lives easier. In fact, technology has worked to bring us closer together and help us connect more deeply. In this article, we are going to take a look at this side of technology; the side that brings us together.

1. Travel is Convenient

Anymore, making plans to travel is particularly easy. We can book hotels online, buy plane and train tickets, and even make step by step itineraries for groups to share without an issue. This brings us closer together physically. When we don’t have to stress about plans as much, we are more likely to make them, allowing us to come together more often rather than putting off that trip to your brother’s, friend’s, or grandmother’s house because it’s just too difficult and takes up too much time to scrape a plan together.

2. Technology Makes Us Value Real Connection

There is a theory that technology ruins real connections in the world. However, the exact opposite is true. When we find a real connection now, it is valuable. We try to hold onto that connection and technology, anymore, actually helps us to do that. In fact, technology can help us make connections anymore whether it’s through mutual friends on Facebook or through the technology of a dating app, technology helps us to make and value the connections we have.

3. We Can Visit Through Technology Now

As easy as technology can make travel, nothing can account for a missed train, a delayed flight, or any other myriad of travel disasters. However, we can make up lost time. Thanks to apps like Skype, you can have visits with friends and loved ones without ever leaving the comfort of your home. These applications and technologies help us to stay close even when travel falls through or proves itself too expensive. Plus, getting to see one another’s faces is even more personal than simply hearing a voice through a phone.

4. Mobile Games Make for Long-Distance Game Nights

A family game night is a long-honored tradition in many households. However, once kids move out or simply become busy with work and school, it can be difficult to keep this tradition going. With mobile games, though, it is easy to keep a game going between mother and daughter or father and son without everyone having to sit down at the same time to play. These games allow you to play periodically throughout the day rather than having to set aside time to play all at once.

5. There Is a Trend of the Older Generation Joining In On Social Networks

As we see social networks become more commonplace, we see the older generation joining in more. It’s not surprising to see a grandmother or grandfather using Facebook anymore and that trend will continue with other social media sites as they go. This increases the connectivity between generations.

6. Group Communication Is Easier Than Ever

Communication has moved past the point of party A discussing something with party B. Instead, you see more party A discussing something with party B, C, D, and so on and these other parties communicating back. It has never been easier to consult on a group project for work or school or to gather up a group outing.

7. Introverts Can Shine Through the Use of Technology

There is something to be said about introverts in social situations. They aren’t going to speak up in a group meeting unless they have to but that doesn’t mean they don’t have something valuable to say. However, with technology, they can speak up without actually speaking. From posting to editing a document to simple emails, technology helps those who are nervous or can’t speak up to speak up in a way that they are comfortable and able to.

8. Language Barriers Aren’t As Unbreakable

Language barriers are another way that we seem to be blocked communicating to one another. However, technology lets us bypass these issues, usually, with just the click of a button. Using Google Chrome nowadays allows you to translate entire pages of text into your native language, allowing us to share information across borders and barriers. These same translation technologies can help us to directly communicate with one another as well. In addition, it is now easy for someone in China learning English to directly communicate with an English speaker in Washington, D.C. or London, such as, and practice what he or she is learning and get real world experience.

9. The Speed Of Communication Has Increased

Today, we don’t have to wait two weeks for a letter to get to our house and another two weeks for our family or friend to get our reply. Even for people on different continents, communication is instantaneous. Within seconds, an email or instant message can travel hundreds of miles, linking us to one another in ways we never thought possible before.

10. We Can Rely on Communication More

In the same breadth that we don’t have to depend on the speed of letters anymore, we don’t have to surrender ourselves to the reliability of letters. They tend to get lost in the mess and emails and messengers don’t do that. They come straight to you in seconds, usually with a notification to keep you updated.

Conclusion

While we may not have a flying car just yet, technology has come far in influencing how we interact with each other. Things that were impossible before are suddenly possible and we can reach each other within seconds of our whims to do so. Many would argue that technology makes us less social, however, the case might be leaning in the exact opposite direction.