Eye Contact

In our culture, eye contact is the primary way that we show someone we're paying attention to them, which is turn is one of the primary ways that we show our loved ones that we care about them.

The linked article discusses how technology has had an impact on the level of eye contact we share with one another.  More and more we engage in conversation while "multi-tasking".  We are distracted by our cell phones, televisions, and other electronic devices.  We read this article in class today and discussed students reactions and opinions.

Most students could think of a time, recently, when they had tried to get someone's attention and had a difficult time because that person was texting or otherwise distracted by some electronic device.  This happens with friends, parents, boyfriends, girlfriends, etc.  They agreed that it doesn't feel very good.  Several students said that they don't think it's a big deal!!  I happen to think it's a very big deal.  When the person standing in front of you is less important than a text, that's a problem!

I gave the students a challenge:  

For the next 48 hours... if someone is talking to you, stop texting and look them in the eye.  We'll see next week if this had an impact on their relationships...

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!!