Steve Jobs and the fruit of Apple

Quote
"3 Apples changed the world: 1st one seduced Eve, 2nd fell on Newton and the 3rd was offered to the world half bitten by Steve Jobs."  Posted on Twitter, 6^th October.

News

The untimely death of the digital generation’s maverick leader, Steve Jobs, is mourned all round the world by fans of his innovative genius.  Since Jobs took back the helm of the Apple Corporation in 1997, millions of people have become owners of iPhones, iPods and iPads, as well as the latest Mac computers.

Under Jobs’ leadership, Apple’s products have become iconic.  They combine cutting edge technology, style and ease of use with a brand that embodies the freedom and individualism of the postmodern world.  ‘iProducts’ are at the heart of the explosion of the internet, the mobile phone industry, and affordable laptops which have created a digital generation connected across every continent. 

Social networking (which includes texting and email along with social network platforms such as Facebook and Twitter) has brought unimaginable changes to the number of people we stay connected with, as well as the speed and convenience of getting in touch.

But there are downsides of this technological revolution, especially the way it can change the quality and nature of our relationships.  As more and more communication is done via a smart phone or laptop, it can weaken people’s ability to communicate and relate to others face to face.  Also, maintaining more relationships means less time is available for each one.

Paradoxically, the technology which enables us to be ‘better connected’ can prevent us from engaging in real-time relationships; the convenience of being contactable at all times can become the burden of constant availability; and the ease of texting what we think and feel can weaken our face to face social skills and our ability to resolve conflict.

So let us celebrate new technologies and learn to use them, but beware of captivation by their beguiling possibilities and subtle demands. 

Read on

MIT researcher Sherry Turkle recently published a book called “Alone in the crowd”, about how social networking is eroding our ability to live comfortably offline.  Read a summary of her challenging findings with respect to intimacy, boundaries, conversational ability and other issues here.

Walk the talk

It is easy to be guilty of ‘presenteeism’ (being physically present but mentally or emotionally absent) in our close relationships?  Texting at mealtimes, glancing at the TV when in conversation, or thinking about work when your child is reading to you all weaken relationships.  Is this a habit you need to change? 

The last word
From the Bible, Proverbs 18:24: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”