Modern Methods of Communication
We’re concerned
that our kids are becoming lazy communicators because they text, instant
message, or use Facebook, TikTok and Instagram as means of communication. We
wonder if they’re losing valuable social skills by not engaging in actual
conversations.
The young people’s
habits are carrying over to my generation (Boomers), and I think it’s a good
thing. I’ve talked to more people today than I would’ve in a week. I had five
communications and can have even more when I’m through here. All I need to do
is go to Facebook and chat with whoever is on. If I go to text messaging, I can
chat with my daughter who lives in another state. My brother emailed me photos
from Texas, and I texted him to ask when he was coming home.
In the last two
days, I talked to two of my former students on Messenger and received a job
offer on LinkedIn. This is addictive. No wonder kids can’t put their phones
down. My friends and I are more eloquent on Facebook than we would be on the
phone, and we’re learning the shorthand that kids use while texting.
We may also be a
little more honest in these quick conversations, which I’m learning to watch
because there’s still something about hearing tone and voice inflections.
Still, we don’t fill our online conversations with extraneous details,
conversation openers, or needless chatter. We say what we really need to say
and sign off.
The kids have hit
on something that makes them much more social and more connected than we were
as kids.
Now, if only we could talk to people or play games just by thinking about it, via a chip in our heads. Welcome to the world in 2087.
(Excerpt from The Neon Houses, The new computer chip.)
“I had a good time, as usual. You
guys don’t disappoint,” said Declan Daniels, another of Dickey’s coworkers and
probably the one who worked the closest with him and Mayor Scott Baker.
“Thanks,
Declan,” Noel said.
Dickey
called out to Noel’s dad and waved him over. “This is the guy I was telling you
about, Cam. He’s always looking for the latest microchip dashes.” Dickey made
introductions.
Dashes
could be purchased and stamped into a chip’s memory band, allowing access to
books, movies, and music through the sensory modules of one’s brain.
“Thanks
for your interest, Declan,” Cam said. “I’m working out a few kinks in our
latest dash. We want better ways to activate or halt the program. Head turns
were sufficient when there were just a few dash applications, but as we add to
the number, subtle head movements aren’t enough. I see too many customers about
to snap their heads off in order to turn a game on.”
The
men laughed.
“It’s
not funny, guys!” Cam said.
“A
lot of my friends have the first versions, and they don’t mind using head movements to operate the controls,” Declan said. “Are
you saying that I should wait awhile for you to develop alternate controls?”
“Yes,”
said Cam. “Just a while longer. I’ll have Fredrick tell you when it’s time to
buy.”
Declan
put his hat on. “Dr. Reed, it’s been a pleasure, and please let me know if you
need to test those new dashes on someone. I love the action games.”
“I might take you up on that.” Cameron laughed and shook hands with him.
BOOK BLURB
What would you do if you were the daughter of a cult hero who boasted a past life full of exciting, colorful exploits?
Suppose the thing that made your mother a cult hero was also inside you.
Now, imagine spending your whole life trying to hide it—until you shared the
heart stopping death of someone close to you.
Supposed that death brought you face to face with the gift of the neon
houses.
New Chicago and its neighboring
town, The Southland, are vastly different worlds in circa 2087, but Dr. Noel
Kennedy is an expert at navigating both worlds. As the Deputy Chief of Schools
in The Southland, Noel has perfected being a solid, middle-class citizen. Not
even her husband, Fredrick Kennedy, truly understands what she is.
When Zarah Fisher, Noel’s young
protégé, is murdered on a deserted street in The Southland, Noel knows the
exact moment Zarah takes her last breath. Though miles away, Noel feels
the girl's terror, and hears her anguished screams inside her own
head because of an inheritance that has left her with extraordinary gifts.
Can Noel find justice for Zarah
without risking it all? Murder, mayhem, and suspense abound in this
action-packed page-turner.
More than a mystery, The Neon
Houses thrills the reader with scenes of a futuristic 2087. Autoplanes, body
planes, and flying buses are the norm. Robots and androids cook, clean, and
serve the affluent, while dystopia lurks just around the corner.
AUTHOR BIO
LindaMims is a writer, a dreamer, and an educator, who hails from a quiet village
just south of Chicago. Her stories are mainly about urban characters who are
engaged in mystery and mysticism. Her hope is that while entertaining and
informing, she’s also sending the message that humans aren’t that different and
all each of us want is a better world.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
AMAZON LINK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMB85SNL
To follow along with the rest of the tour, please visit the AUTHOR'S TOUR PAGE on the 4WillsPublishing site. If you'd like to book your own blog tour and have your book promoted in similar grand fashion, please click HERE. Thanks for supporting this author and her work!
Looks like an interesting read! Thanks for sharing, Yvette!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Mark! It was a great book. :-)
DeleteHi, Mark! It’s Linda! I’m so glad to see you here! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteLinda, I hope you 're having the time of your life on this tour!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nonnie! I appreciate you stopping by. :-)
DeleteHi, Nonnie! “Neon” is doing pretty well, thank you. Glad to have your support.
DeleteOooops... I'm not anonymous. It's NJ!
ReplyDeleteLinda, I think the worst thing that has happen to us is texting. The auto fills increase spelling errors; there is no protocol on greeting and sentences are hard to read because of auto fill and plain misspelling of words and no punctuation whatsoever. I feel sometimes like I am in a remedial spelling and writing class. LOL! But to each his own opinion.
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, I would agree with you, Shirley! Still, I'm grateful it exists because it allows me to communicate quickly with people without being stuck on the phone forever. Lol! Thanks for stopping by. :-)
DeleteShirley, I agree with you about those autofills. 🤣 The way they make “corrections “ for us IS a problem! Thanks for hanging with me!
DeleteHi there Yvette! I got so caught up that I forgot to greet you. Thank you for hosting Linda today. It should be fun.
ReplyDeleteI see that I'm not showing an ID. This is Shirley Slaughter.
ReplyDeleteHi, Yvette, Hi, Linda,
ReplyDeleteLinda, I agree wholeheartedly. Today's ways of communicating are fabulous, but it takes lots of time. I notice for myself that I am more careful when I communicate on Social Media. By that I mean, I make sure I am spelling the words correctly, or even using the right words to explain something that I am talking about. That's important. Even in my newsletter, I have to make sure my info is correct so that my readers understand it.
You've had a very nice tour, Linda, and I have enjoyed being along everyday.
Yvette, thank you for hosting Linda and thanks also for encouraging her to get this book out in the world for others to read.
Wishing the both of you ladies a lovely day.
Shalom aleichem
Thanks for commenting, Pat! So glad you agree. I love today's communication, but I'm glad it wasn't out in my day. Social media is a distraction that a lot of kids don't manage properly. 🤗
DeleteSo happy you stopped and shared your thoughts with us, Pat! I appreciate you. :-)
DeleteThanks so much for hosting me, Yvette! You are an awesome indie writer and supporter. I appreciate all you do! ❤️ For some screwy reason, the responses I made here yesterday evening don't show! However, you're so nice, I'll say it twice!😂 Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt was my absolute pleasure, Linda! I love your story and the world you created and am happy to share it with the world. :-)
DeleteNice piece about communication today. Good luck on your tour, Linda. Yvette, thanks for hosting Linda today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and supporting Linda, John! I appreciate it. :-)
DeleteGreat post Yvette. Linda this is a must give book for the holdiays.
ReplyDeleteI agree! It's a great story to share. Thanks for stopping by! :-)
DeleteHi, Linda! That's the most positive thing I've heard about our modern day, plugged-in communication methods. Demon-possessed autocorrect notwithstanding, we do tend to get right to the point and can communicate faster and with more people than before electronics. I can picture people doing weird head jerks, looking glassy-eyed, and bumping into stationery objects while they're playing games implanted in their brains. Can't wait to see how you describe it in the book. I'm enjoying your posts!
ReplyDeleteYvette, thanks for hosting Linda!
Your visual made me laugh, Patty! That would be entertaining to watch. Lol! Thanks for stopping by and supporting Linda. :-)
Delete