Are we facing a non-verbal communication syndrome?

Ever since cell phones took over our daily lives, texting has become one of the more common means of communication for most of us. Companies are coming up with technology and key pads that make it more convenient for users to text or email via their cell phones. Many of my friends choose texting over picking up the phone and giving each other a phone call, it's less time consuming, and efficient. Sky trains, buses, University hallways, malls, cafes, restaurants, parks, and countless other public places are now full of people walking around with their smart phones; texting away. Everyone does it; well, everyone in the 'in' generation, and even some of the older generations' folks who just have to give in and partake, even when it still seems strange and unfamiliar.

What kind of impact does this new means of communication and socializing have on us? We meet so many people everywhere, but we never seem to make eye contact, or even try communicating with them. Most of us would much rather be busy socializing with our "real" friends through Facebook or texting. Many times, it's so frustrating, when you meet your friends, and then there is an awkward pause where unintentionally, yet inevitably everyone starts texting or browsing on their cell phones without realizing that they are being rude.

First dates are much quieter now, if you meet someone for the first time and you don't really know what to say, you can just go on your phone and text your friends, to look like you're busy and not just boring. People have left the need to try and meet people in person, they find it easier to do behind a screen, they are more comfortable and they find it more convenient. Texting instead of calling is growing by leaps and bounds and the art of speech is giving way to it. It's making it harder for people to actually communicate, explore each other intellectually. Even though, people could be traveling alone, they will have their friends on their phones to talk to, which stops them from getting to know new people unless they have to. Our choices in meeting people have become selective, and so has our knowledge. People meet, but they don't learn anything from each other, they grow but they are not growing together, rather apart, as they are only communicating through SMS and not through real means of communication.