Many people have bad talked technology in a sense that it isolates us from others and society. I think differently. I believe technology keeps us closer together. Technology’s ability to communicate allows us to learn about each other faster and more in depth than normal conversations.
In my junior year I had exchanged instant messenger screen names with someone in one of my classes. We only saw each other once a day in that class and barely talked because of the work we had to do in it. Also he wasn’t the most outgoing person. It’d be hard to talk personally with him because he’s so shy. But almost every night we’d spend at least an hour instant messaging about everything. We even gave our phone numbers to each other for texting.
A few months after we exchanged our screen names we had learned so much about each other that we were almost like brothers. The many lines of messages we’d sent through the phones and internet was like a year of having casual conversations. Our quick typing allowed us to explain things more clearly and faster. When we were online, especially him, we had a sense of privacy because no one could listen in onto what we were saying to each other. Unfortunately having jobs has limited our current online conversations, but we still know each other very well and we still talk and hang out when we can.
Another technology aside from a form of messages is video games. I remember from the age nine or ten; I played an online game called Diablo 2. My older brother and I would take turn on the computer after school to play the game and we’d sometimes even watch each other. One day I met a player who had an account name Briggsy. We played a lot that day and we added each other to the game’s friends list. Eventually I was playing with Briggsy so much that my brother added him.
After about four or five years of playing Diablo 2, my brother and I had gained a small relationship with Briggsy along with a few other players. We always played together and had other friends that knew us both making somewhat of a group of players through the internet. We always played with Briggsy and the other players making a small community of players who knew a lot about each other. We knew Briggsy the most though. His real name was Allen and he was from Canada. He eventually moved to the US but he still played until the three of us got tired of the game. We all exchanged instant messenger screen names and now occasionally talk to each other about good old times. Thanks to that video game, my brother and I maintained a great friendship with someone that lived far away.
Another video game story is between my brother and I. I remember when I was really young; we’d always play on the Original Nintendo and Super Nintendo together. He’d mostly win, but I’d continue playing to hopefully beat him someday. As more consoles and newer games came out, we’d play them together and favorite one was Diablo 2 which I’ve already told you about.
Eventually my brother got older and moved out of the house. I had missed playing with him a lot and we ended up not talking as much anymore. It was almost like I was an only child at times. Then we both got Xbox 360s which had online playability of its games along with voice chat. So now whenever I go on it, and see my brother is online, I join his game and we either just play with each other or online with others. While playing, we chat about how life is going on and now I’m better competition for my brother, so it’s fun for both of us.
I know friends, who are part of online communities, through websites, instant messengers, or video games. They’d completely agree with me on technology bringing people together. Physically, we’re further away, but emotionally we could be so much closer.
