Comments on: Hyper-Connected or Disconnected?

By: Are We Communicating the Right Way? – Troy Claus

Are We Communicating the Right Way? – Troy Claus — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:06:37 +0000

[...] noticed the skills we require to engage in face-to-face communication is becoming sub-par, not only in older generations, but more so in the younger ones. Why is this [...]

By: Splash: A Blog from MemberClicks » Blog Archive » A grab-bag of association and nonprofits links, 7/23 edition

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:37:55 +0000

[...] Hyper-connected or disconnected? by Sonny Gill on Danny Brown’s blog. Analyzes the evolution of media and if we’re too connected to our smartphones and laptops. Do we spend enough time offline engaging in real life? Some industries require hyperconnectivity, but is that a good thing or a bad thing? [...]

By: Lucy

Lucy — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:48:43 +0000

Social media, connectivity, communication via multiple channels. Yeah. It is what extending my bellbottom jeans with flares of fabric was to my parents. It is what is a defining separation between generations. Being on the age fence, for now anyway, I find myself lacking focus, routine, and priority when it comes to my checklist of check-ins. It is overwhelming, overstimulating and difficult to race along keeping up with the next thing to add to the bookmark toolbar… hmmm.. or which app to use to organize my daily bookmarks…

By: servantofchaos

servantofchaos — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:01:13 +0000

I used to see the work-life balance as either/or. But I think that is a construct as much as anything else. The challenge is just finding the balance that works for you.

By: Promotional Products

Promotional Products — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 04:13:22 +0000

I think this is become almost an epidemic with all the technology that is at our fingertips. We have forgotten about the traditional methods that have been successful for many, many years and I think it is making consumers feel disenchanted and unvalued about the company's they do business with.

By: Sonny Gill

Sonny Gill — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:52:56 +0000

I think it just gets down to human nature and our need to connect with a community that we feel a part of. We want to somehow connect our real lives with those people that we talk to solely online.

It's undoubtedly consumed our lives, but is that to the fault of us or the technology? As this industry requires a strong tech/online presence.

By: Twitted by kristinathorpe

Twitted by kristinathorpe — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:51:42 +0000

[...] This post was Twitted by kristinathorpe [...]

By: Tim Jahn

Tim Jahn — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:13:12 +0000

In my opinion, the always-connectedness and instant reach of our online community has caused us to share everything with folks all over the world online.

But as you said Sonny, why not just enjoy the time with the people you're with?

Why do we put such emphasis on the online side of things and not the physical world? In other words, why are we tempted like you Sonny to tweet things during real life events (and basically choose online over real life) rather than do real life things instead of tweeting?

Hmm..I hope that makes sense!

By: Sonny Gill

Sonny Gill — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:52:07 +0000

Great comments all around and we all agree upon the balance needed to have a successful and healthy life, online and off.

How about a flip question – have you had to explain to your loved ones or family members that much of your work and communication takes place online and that you connect with hundreds of people each week? Our internet world is still off-beat and not the norm in many people's eyes, how do we help further people's understanding of what we do and why we do it? Visual explanation? An hour long conference with your loved ones trying to explain what Twitter is and why you blog about it?

By: kmskala

kmskala — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:55:53 +0000

What about the thought that being connected online makes us more connected with what's going on offline? With how quickly news spreads online, I've found myself being able to keep up with what's going on in the "real world" a lot easier by being online. Take basketball, Sonny. The only reason I've been able to keep up with the rumors and who's going where is because I'm online. I've gotten more info from Twitter than I have from ESPN or SI. The fact that our world is transitioning into a more streamlined connection, I'm focusing more of my attention online.

But I do agree that there needs to be a healthy balance. I do need time to shut things down, grab a bite to eat/beer with family & friends. If you want to be a well-rounded PR professional, you need a healthy blend of both. No matter how great you are online, you still need that personal connection. You still need to be able to form a meaningful relationship face-to-face. If you're IT, maybe the personal touch isn't valuable.

Life is about a healthy balance.