Game Changer: There's Not An Emoji for Every Situation

Generation X, it's time to wake up...or should I say look up and use our voices, our real voices, to hold onto the power of face-to-face interaction. When was the last time you met a friend for coffee and actually focused on the face and thoughts of the person you're with?
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
Concept of lovers communication trough social network
Concept of lovers communication trough social network

Generation X, it's time to wake up...or should I say look up and use our voices, our real voices, to hold onto the power of face-to-face interaction. When was the last time you met a friend for coffee and actually focused on the face and thoughts of the person you're with?

We live in the fast lane that delivers Papa John's Pizza at the touch of a few clicks. We want it now! We rely on apps as shortcuts, and pretty soon, our lives are filled with accomplishments and instant gratification that we just might feel the need to take a moment and SnapChat.

There's an element to this that's truly amazing. Millennials literally have the world at our fingertips to achieve, find mentors and break through walls that not too long ago would have seemed impossible. Here's the but... If we're not careful, we will hand the next generation a set of emoji's that will replace the one thing that connects us as humans...the sound of our voices and the visual bond of our emotions.

If you watch a concert through your phone screen because you just HAVE to videotape the whole thing for Facebook, were you really there? We are all guilty of it, but there's a reason our parents always talk about the "good ol' days". Unfortunately, I highly doubt the 2000's will ever be referred to as that.

A 2014 Gallup poll confirmed a truth that has become self-evident: Text messages now outrank phone calls as the dominant form of communication among Millennials. The growth of our cyber space has caused an imbalance of cyber vs. humans. According to Experian, 2013 U.S. smartphone owners aged 18 to 24 sent 2,022 texts per month on average -- 67 texts on a daily basis -- and received another 1,831. These stats alone should cause red lights to flash and inspire us to keep sit down with friends, meet mentors and soak in the laugh lines and emotions that make up our human side, bringing real hope and courage to the forefront as we journey through that thing we call life. A heart emoji will never replace a hug.

In 2013 I gave a TEDx Talk titled #TextMe: The Elimination of Human Interaction. I chose this topic because I saw my generation quickly eliminating the basic human emotions that fill our lives with fundamental traits we as humans need to nurture and survive. Unfortunately, my talk is even more relevant in today's media driven society and I predict our generation will be the first of it's kind to eliminate human interaction. This will be the catalyst that could cause a crisis for generations that follow in our footsteps. I predict there will be a significant rise in depression, bullying, and suicide if we don't take the necessary steps to be in the moment with others.

Change begins with us! Starting now, incorporate these tiny but monumental changes into your daily life that will be sure to bring back the phrase "In The Moment" as we fall back into the Wanderlust of face-to-face communication.

In The Moment DIY
Do It Yourself...Others Will Follow

1. Be there for someone. I mean literally, not via Skype or Face Time. I consider that cheating! Your BFF had a bad day and the first thought might be "Text me". Instead, make plans and be that person who listens and provides encouragement. That much needed hug and your ability to really lift up someone's spirits through your smile is no match for any emoji.

2. One of the things I love about humans is our unique passions and talents. Teach and empower. This is huge and requires face-to-face connections. This Wanderlust is a win-win, no doubt about it. When we empower and teach we change the world. Drop Mic.

3. Make a point each day to spread kindness. This will require you to interact with strangers so texting is out the window here! As you travel to class, to work, or while you're out and about, look up and see your fellow mankind in a new way. Remember, we all have a story. Oftentimes, just one random act of kindness can completely turn around someone else's day. Don't be in such a hurry. Let the multi-tasking go and share a smile. It costs nothing and it's priceless.

Now that you've been inspired, put down your phone, look up and fall into the Wanderlust of just how awesome it feels to communicate face-to-face.

2016-02-10-1455132912-4900129-40507215_m.jpg

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot