Turn Off Your Computers?!

I just read an article this morning about the CEO of Google, Eric Schmidt, telling University of Pennsylvania graduates to turn off technology and look more toward the importance of people. Initially I was a little surprised that the CEO of one of the largest Internet companies is telling graduates to stay away from their computers. Google wouldn't exist without the millions of users who visit their site, use their email service-Gmail, upload photos to Picasa, or access the web via their Android-based smart phone. So why on earth would the CEO of Google tell recent college graduates to turn off technology?


He sees what many of us also see, but choose to ignore. In this crazy world of texting, instant-messaging, facebook chatting and tweeting, we would much rather communicate electronically to the person next to us than to simply turn to them to say, "hey, how's it going?" Personal connections have fallen by the way-side and have been substituted for "poking," tweeting, texting and emails. A friend of mine recently lost her cell phone and is now on week 4 without it. She must be going crazy, right? Actually, she feels a sense of freedom that she hasn't experienced in quite some time. Conversations that took place via text, are now communicated in person or over the phone (yes, she has a land-line phone). While I would be freaking out without my cell phone, she is in no hurry to replace it.

It would be hypocritical for me to tell people to quit emailing and to use their cell phones less - I own two BlackBerry's. What I will suggest though, is to go out and meet new people. Interact with them without checking your texts or emails on your phone. Mail someone a hand-written letter, even though you know a 30-second email would do the trick. Find ways to enhance your personal relationships instead of meaningless electronic communication. It's the personal touches that make you stand out to that professor, business partner or potential employer.