Is impatience a modern thing?

Technology opens up more options to us than ever. We can practically be in touch with whoever we want, however we want, whenever we want. And it’s all immediate.

Here’s the thing, though. It’s almost as if, how it used to be was more fitting to human nature. The fact that you couldn’t be in touch all the time, every second, probably had its benefits. While getting to know someone, there were breaks, there was more unknown. There were more boundaries and more intrigue.

Now, you’re often facebook friends before you even go on a date with a guy/girl. You may have already flipped through a million pictures of the person with plenty of opportunity to scrutinize who they are (well, who they are online). You probably pretended to get to know the person through a few chats and cute backs-and-forth on facebook or email.

And then, once you start going out, because the option is there to be in touch on quite a regular basis, there might be a feeling that if there isn’t immediate and constant interaction, that somethings wrong.

But the thing we must remember is that although the world we live in is very different than 100 years ago, doesn’t mean human nature has changed. There is still a need to wait, think, not to think, there is a need for distance, and whatever else is necessary as life’s experiences are internalized within us.

I agree with an article I read (I need to find the link again and post it here) where the writer says that if you’re going to go out with someone, don’t add them on facebook before the first date. He was once on a first date and found that they had nothing to say. He suddenly realized that with all the small interactions they’d had online and through text messaging, they’d already had their “first date.”

I think technology is awesome. The way people can connect to each other online so easily, spread ideas, discuss ideas, have fun… I wouldn’t change it for anything. But in order to get the most out of it, I do believe we must be conscious of how it affects our lives and try hard to create good boundaries. Like I know how to do that but anyway…