"Socialization"

     First off, I must acknowledge that I didn't post since a week (not that anyone's waiting). Something came up that will be detailed in another blog soon. But this blog is generic. Its based on my curiosity as an anthropology student about the whole idea of social interaction and socialization. I admit though I just got the idea from a quote I posted from The Big Bang Theory. I always wonder about that show though. I really found the older seasons somewhat relatable. Not that I am implying I am a genius of any kind (but you are free to think so if you wish :P). By the way, spell-check didn't know relatable was a word. It underlined it leading me to Google it to make sure. Although I rely a lot on spell-check (so much, that sometimes while writing by hand I expect my misspellings to be underlined automatically in red!), it feels good to teach spell-check a word. Hah!

     Anyways so coming back to Big Bang Theory, I think the older seasons were really brilliant and some dialogues really express the same concerns or doubts I sometimes have. This particular idea, I got from the pilot episode of the series. I put it as my Facetube status but here it is again:

Sheldon: Chat? But we dont chat! At least not offline.
Leonard: Its not difficult...you just listen to what she says, and then you say something appropriate in response.
Sheldon: (pauses)...to what end?

     I feel like Sheldon has questioned the very basis of social interaction here. I don't know if the writers of the show intended it or merely were trying to write something consistent with what the character would say, but that is a big question. To what end is social interaction? In my archaeology class I learned how humans have managed such a large leap from animals on the basis of verbal and written communication. Its a fascinating thing if you think about it. Of course, we also touched on the subject that other animals like dolphins have their language. Of course, this fact is based on humans studying their 'language' and deeming it so. I think I disagree. Dolphins, or any other animals for that matter, communicate but they don't really have a language. I mean it certainly nowhere close to the complexity of human language. This is all fine, I can go on blabbering about how human language is so much more advanced. But you all probably know that stuff.

     What I want to write about is where communication stands today. And to go back to Sheldon's question, to what purpose is it today? Aren't we a paradox today? We are basically programmed as social animals and most of us will probably go into deep depression without social contact. But then again the enormous advent of social networks proves that we don't actually want to interact in person. Yes, time, distance and busy lives are a major factor. Not to mention via social networks we can interact with so people who we may never have met. But then again, besides those reasons, having several more friends online doesn't really satisfy any set purpose. Communication and social life evolved mainly because man was too weak to deal with the elements and predators all by himself. But today the bulk of socialization remains primarily as a relic of psychological evolution. We don't as much need to as we feel the need to interact. And so we go for the apparent most effective way. I think that is proven by the fact that everyone around will be so busy in social networking via their smart phone even while standing in a crowded room, unresponsive to actual interaction from people standing right in front of them. Of course, I am exaggerating albeit not too much.

     The other end of the scale in context is people are unresponsive to actual social interaction because of personal music players. I admit, I can barely go without my iPod especially when cycling to college. But I have a habit of unplugging my headphones even if I see someone I know, or if I even barely anticipate a conversation. I haven't seen people do it as readily as I do. Often they'd rather keep listening and ignore someone trying to ask them something. I find that insufferable!

     And since we are on one of the hundreds of things I find insufferable, let me end with one more on the list. But first I should admit I am not really knowledgeable on the entire concept of twitter. Although I understand it enough to decide I hate it (hey I barely know anything about facebook but I check it everyday while simultaneously hating it). The idea of broadcasting one's daily activities and one posting drab details of one's perfectly normal life, I think is an enormously dumb idea. I should point out that my blog is not the same thing (disclaimer alert); although some personal references are unavoidable, I try to make this blog an intellectual discussion (well as much as I can). Same thing with some videoblogs on Youbook (:P). I found out some time ago that there's something called a 'haul video'. Apparently that's some random girl with too much time and money on her hands, showing off the useless overpriced shit she just bought! I mean seriously? You are so dying to show off your things to other people that just showing them off to your million like-minded friends is not enough and you have to share it with the internets? And that includes girl's generic vlogs. The girls do realize that if their vlog is popular people are not really listening to you speak right? I saw a bunch of such vlogs on Youtube (I mean Youbook). Comments include, "I like to just mute the video and look at your breasts!" C'mon! Although I should say browsing through youtube comments is hilarious! As my parting note, I suggest you do that just to see the number of dumb people in the world!
Later.