Technology and Social Interaction

Is technology eliminating the need for traditional social interaction or is it simply giving us new ways of interacting, thus strengthening our social connections with others? Critics are quick to point out the numerous ways in which technology is leading to the atrophy of our social lives (Eitzen, 2004) and increasing our isolation from others (at least in terms of face-to-face interaction). We no longer need to go in and make small talk with a cashier at the bank, we can use the ATM. We can shop for things online. We can text someone instead of having to talk to them and the answering machine and caller ID allow us to screen our calls. We don't have to drop in on an old friend because we can reconnect with them on Facebook. In his article, The Atrophy of Social Life (2004) D.Stanley Eitzen points out the social impact of many technological advancements, including ones that have been with us for a long time. He points out that before the invention of the electric refrigerator people had to shop every couple of days and thus developed a social connection with the neighborhood grocer. He also points out that in the days before air conditioning people would congregate at local swimming holes or the shade of a neighbor's porch instead of isolating themselves inside their air-conditioned homes. Technology isolates us within our own homes as well. In the early days of television, if a family had TV at all they only had one and the entire family would congregate around the set. Today, mom might be watching a show in the living room while her husband is in the den on the computer and the children are watching other programs in their room on their own TV set. Or they may be isolated from the rest of the family while they surf the internet or listen to their Ipods. Given the current rate of technological advancement in America, we can only speculate on what will be the next big thing and what impact it will have on our social lives. The real question is, does technology enhance our social lives and provide us with alternative avenues of social interaction or are its isolating effects going to eventually lead to a society with little or no face-to-face human interaction? I'd love to hear everyone's opinion on this issue.