A striking contrast above, eh?
The top picture. 1952 in the United States. 157 million Americans. Only 20 million tvs in the USA. Television in its black and white infancy. The Ozzie and Harriet Show featuring parents, Ozzie and Harriet and their sons. It was one of the most popular shows on television through the late '50s and early '60s, depicting Hollywood's version of the happy and carefree American family life. Families, seemingly together, watching, laughing and enjoying one visual stage inside a box with compromise and without remotes.
The bottom picture. Fast forward 60 years to 2012 in the United States. 312 million Americans. 130 million tvs, 230 million cell phones and 30-50 million laptops sold each year in the USA alone. In a little more than a half of century, high definition televisions supplemented by individual laptop computers in full color and in full bloom dominate our time and our interests. Any show on television, any movie or any visual or print media event happening around the world in real time is but an effortless click away from the user's finger. Individuals and families, seemingly together, watching and enjoying whatever they desire in solitude...without compromise...with minimal conversation.
USA population has not only grown over twofold in 60 years but it has also become the most technologically-connected people in the world. When it comes to information and entertainment gathering, we want for nothing. But, has all this embrace of technology come with a heavy price to family closeness?
So, what will family interaction look like in the next 60 years? Surely, we will be connected to everything happening around us at light speed but at what cost to those closest to us?
Amidst all this glorious technology, truly, it is not what we are gaining, but, more importantly, what are we losing that should be asked?
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