Gadgets Causing 'Epidemic of Shyness'
Psychologist, Harvard Business School researcher and etiquette columnist Robin Abrahams said in a recent interview that cell phones, iPods and PCs are casing a WORLDWIDE EPIDEMIC OF SHYNESS. She said nearly 50% of people say they're shy in social situations, up from about 40% "in the past." "People shop online, they listen to their iPods rather than the radio -- and they e-mail or text each other rather than talk. What we have is an increasingly complex social environment, combined with less practice at dealing with it because of technology."
9:08 AM * PERMALINK * 1 comments
Comments:
Excellent observation. My co-authors, Judy Thomson and Gayle Hallgren and I can confirm these findings.
In over 300 presentations around the world in the past 4 years we regularly ask participants "Who likes networking "Eighty-percent admit to some level of shyness. Research shows most would rather be back in the office doing emails than meeting strangers.
The phenomenon is so common we call it Networking Nervousus--our term for shyness. And, yes is is enabled and reinforced by technolgy.
Gayle and I have attended the World Economic Forum in Davos 16 times. Until about five years ago Blackberry's and cellphones would not work and everyone would talk to those around them between sessions. Today they are all on cellphones and emailing. Sad.
Darcy Rezac
Managing Director & Chief Engagement Officer
The Vancouver Board of Trade (www.boardoftrade.com) and,
Lecturer & Author, Work the Pond!
(Prentice Hall, 2005)
www.workthepond.com
www.rezac@blogspot.com
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