Is It The Technology Or People?

I was reading about a small business owner who made a no gadgets rule during company meetings. It stemmed from the fact that people get too distracted with their phones while in the meeting and not paying attention. This resulted in multiple follow up meetings and managers having to repeat the information.

Image by Michal Zacharzewski

I may have have done the same thing if I were her but not without having a good talk to get my thoughts across first.

Personally, I’ve never quite got it – maybe because I’m in the bridge generation you know, we were the ones who grew up right in the transition from analog to digital so I still value my gadget-less moments, despite my techie-ness. A few months ago, I went to a tweetup and never once did I feel the urge to check my emails or tweet or text anyone and never once did I do it. I’ll be honest and say I did tweet before and after but not during.

Why not? Because I just didn’t have the time! We were having a wonderful conversation, the ambiance was perfect and we really enjoyed each others’ company. Besides, it is my personal conviction it’s rude. Uhuh, what happened to the good old fashioned good manners?

Which is why I get annoyed when people say, “Oh these technologies nowadays are making us so distracted.” To that, I say, “It’s not the technology it’s people.” We humans tend to mis-use many things. Money is one of them, technology is another. They are both tools. They aren’t living and breathing. They don’t take sides, they don’t tell us what to do they just are. It’s up to us how we use them.

What are your thoughts?