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Is Technology Replacing Humanity?

Is Technology Replacing Humanity?

Certainly at this point in time technology is not replacing humanity. But for the up and coming generation, I am not so sure what the future holds. The young adults raised in the 90’s and 2000’s that only know technology, such as text messaging, Facebook, Instagram and email seem to not have the communications skills of their elders. As a business man and insurance agency broker, I receive emails from this generation that are in code instead of English. News flash, trying to secure an interview with acronyms versus spelling out words does not impress anything but being lazy. I do know what BTW means, but in business we still type “By the way”. My guess is you are not that busy.

I do not understand this new game of Pokemon GO, but I have seen news reports of the mindless dangerous results associated with this game. If you have to work this hard and risk your safety and possibly your life, why not spend that time being productive working or volunteering to help your community.

My biggest fear for this generation is their lack of communication skills. Communicating in person is so much different than texting or messaging with technology. The key components of communication are lost in using just written words. Words are only 7% of the communication process. The other 93% of communication is voice qualities and body language. Most but not all, of this generation lacks the key components such as eye contact, hand shaking, voice inflection, knowing when to speak and when to listen, as well as how to listen. Technology makes these skills worse.

If you have children or loved ones in this generation, work with them on their people and communication skills before it is too late. This generation is so dependent upon technology, they would literally starve to death in a power outage because they would not know how to find food. As their elders, it is our responsibility to teach them basic skills to interact with humans other than a smart phone or tablet. Lord help us if we master Artificial Intelligence.

“I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.”—Albert Einstein

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Tim Wilhoit is owner/principal of Your Friend 4 Life Insurance Agency in Nashville, TN. He is a family man, father of 3, grandfather of 1, entrepreneur, insurance agent, life insurance broker, employee benefit specialist, salesman, sales trainer, recruiter, public speaker, blogger, author and team leader with over 29 years of experience in sales and marketing in the insurance and beverage industries.

17 Responses to Is Technology Replacing Humanity?

  • Very interesting insight. Thanks for sharing.

  • Thank you for your kind words Merideth

  • Many of us have to get used to using the new technologies. Your points on the value of communication are spot on. Text and email have their place, however voice communication and face to face interaction are still very valuable.

  • Thank you Mike, I agree technology has it’s place but is not a replacement.
    I appreciate your feedback.

  • Tim, couldn’t agree with you more. I believe it is Stephen Hawking, the brilliant physicist, has warned that if not monitored closely, the human race is at threat of extinction at the hands of Artificial Intelligence. I have a 21 yr old daughter who is a senior in the fall at St John’s College, in Santa Fe. The curriculum offered there is a unique liberal arts concentration heavily weighted on Communication skills. They focus on the analysis of the classics and often in the original language such as Greek or French. It has been a little frustrating for her as she is looking for Grad School options, but I believe she will be well served going forward in her life because she has learned to communicate and problem solve. Human communication is so important and cannot be ignored or substituted by technological devices.

  • I feel the same way as you are feeling right now. As we all are very busy in technological communication rather than sitting and talking with each other. While I am writing this still I am feeling why I am writing. Have I met you before. Whether you have time to read the feedback or not.

  • Interesting read, it really emphasizes the differences between the generations. While communication is difficult and awkward, it’s temporary and inevitable. Facebook was created as a University project. Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Steve Jobs were self made billionaires that heralded the Millenials. We are living in a time where the resourceful and self empowered are more capable. I believe that interpersonal skills are very important, but that we also need to keep relevant to future generations and try to understand them. Because, eventually they will replace us.

    • Brenton, you make a very profound statement, “eventually they will replace us”. Thank you for sharing!

  • I agree Tim, lack of ability to communicate face to face is a growing problem when much communication is tech talk.

  • There are many robots that will eliminate many positions.. But Siri only knows what she is programmed to know..

  • Great article. I think it’s more important than ever to be able to communicate effectively because communicating with humans is something that robots can’t do very well. That’s why sales is and always will be a great field to be in.

  • Joel, I agree, sales is a great field!

  • This is more true today, then ever before. The young are angry, I have reached the conclusion, because they are afraid of what they see as their ‘future’. And they are too ill equipped to know they have options. They have brains, and they CAN not just survive , but THRIVE, if they could but look and see the solution(s) are within their reach.

    • Consuelo, you are spot on. I have pushed my children to engage, think and respond regardless of technology. The majority of this up and coming generation have no people skills. Just yesterday, I ordered lunch and the cashier took my money looked at the floor and was silent. I looked at her and said your welcome and she didn’t understand. Lord help us. Einstein was right again.

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