An advertisement on the Washington, DC, Metro stated boldly: “Happiness is being able to order food without having to talk to anyone.” If happiness is about further limiting one’s contact with other humans, even for simple transactions, it spells trouble.
We already are already a polarized and fractured society. We misunderstand each other because we don’t communicate effectively. Eliminating the need to connect personally with other humans increases isolation and pushes us further away from the niceties that are the glue that helps to bind us together as a society.
You don’t have to be in the communications planning mode to get this: when we don’t interact directly with other people, we become like athletes whose muscle mass has declined from lack of use. We have forgotten how to work our communications and persuasion muscles. All you have to do is look at the dysfunction, distrust and dissatisfaction in Congress.
The other day as I did a number of errands, I realized that I didn’t have to talk with another person the entire day. At the grocery store, I checked out using the automated cashier. At the parking garage, there was no attendant–just my card with its metallic strip that tells the machine how much to charge me. Back in the office, I had numerous conversations and interactions via email, twitter and Facebook and didn’t utter a single sound. It was efficient but very unsatisfying.
A machine doesn’t smile at you or tell you a joke or ask you about your family. No wonder there is a whole industry of coaches, counselors and therapists that has arisen to help people reach out, listen, and communicate.
To be sure, dealing with people can be inefficient, frustrating and error prone. But the benefits of more efficient transactions don’t outweigh what we are losing. Happiness is rooted in meaningful connections with others that build trust.
What do you think?
