Is Technology bridging the gap (or) widening the gap between people?

Although I was born in southern part of Andhra Pradesh, I have spent most of my time in Hyderabad! Here I see that every locality here has its own charm. The name of every locality is the memory of a king who ruled it once upon a time, which in itself is interesting. When I was a school going kid, I used to remember all my neighbors. We used to interact with each other every now and then. We used to go to their homes and vice versa. Now after a decade, I see that we hardly interact with our neighbors, maybe it is not that we should not but things changed. During my childhood days my mom used to walk down the road just to initiate a conversation and make new friends. Now with the internet, a cell phone, text messaging and various apps like whatsapp you don’t have to see a person to make plans or talk. All you have to do is send a message. As these new mediums become more popular, people have begun using texting, voice mail, and e-mails to start and as well end their relationships. Relationships represent closeness and good communication yet people are avoiding talking to a person that they once had close bonds with.

Well, today morning while I was driving in old city, I came across big bright posters displaying signs for Tablet phones, although it is not uncommon in old city. But what attracted me more are the models who are displaying those tablet phones J. Although advertising this way is smart because it attracts a person’s eyes and the tablet stands out, it brought up a better question: Is Technology bridging the gap (or) widening the gap between people? So this made me to ruminate the past

In any case, I am not supremely sure about the answer. If we happen to go to any mall, college, or super market we see people either on their cell phones or with ear buds from their iPods in their ears. At LEAST more than half the people you see walking around are using one of these devices. And all those are so much engrossed in their own little world that they are hardly bothered about the outside stuff. IPods and other MP3 players are like a wall blocking out the rest of the world. But at the same time the wire and ear buds builds a wall to the rest of the world. Checking the whatsapp application (instant messages) in smart phones every few seconds helps people avoid uncomfortable conversation while it also gives them a status symbol. People are consciously using technology to avoid personal conversation yet the rest of the world thinks that these people are so great!

May be this is my thought but I personally feel that If people do not try to keep a personal connection, the world will soon be filled with technology bubbles that keep people in their own disconnected world.