Where's the Intimacy ?

Until recently, I don't think I've really considered media's complete influence on society. And I think part of the reason I haven't is because I am a digital native. I don't know a world without technology, so how can I completely understand the changes media has brought about? I think digital immigrants have a much better understanding of just how drastically media has influenced our lives. Today, we discussed the ways in which media influences dating, friendships, sex, speaking, privacy, and so on. Basically what I've taken from this is that the more media there is, the less intimacy we have. I don't think you can have both, so it's just a sacrifice we'll have to make as the future becomes more and more advanced. Online dating for instance, where's the intimacy in that? And the whole idea of "sexting" (sending sexual text messages/performing sexual favours through text).. what???
Media also removes intimacy from our homes. My house consists of 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, dining room, and basement with an additional kitchen. And honestly, there are time when I'll be thinking I'm the only one home, when really my siblings are too. But because we're off doing our own things in different spaces, its hard to tell who'se home and who's not. With little-no interaction with eachother, there's less intimacy in the home. In fact, I remember years back when msn was first introduced when me and my sister would IM eachother when we we're just across the hall from one another. Its ridiculous.
And of course, there's media's influence on privacy but I think that's pretty obvious to comprehend.
Basically, though our lives become much easier as media advances, we loose intimacy in virtually every aspect of our lives. In my opinion, this is very disappointing. What do you think?

Not Everything Is What It Appears To Be ..

- This is not Audrey Hepburn.

The Imaginary is the new Real

A few years back I was in Toronto for a tennis tournament and while I was down there, I had the opportunity to do pretty much whatever until the day of the tournament. My friends and I were wandering Yonge St. and ended up at MTV, a popular TV network station , originally known for airing music videos, but currently airs a variety of content. Just in time for the airing of MTV Live, we joined their live audience. MTV Live, for those of you who don't know is a popular talk show that features daily news, celebrity interviews and live music performances. Anyways, the point of my story is that after all these years of experiencing the imaginary (on TV), I became a part of the real. It was cool and all, but let me tell you.. watching the imaginary all of those years, all of a sudden, was a more enjoyable experience for me. Actually being in the studio was so much less appealing for me. Seeing the set, all the cameras and unflattering lights, the dusty floors, etc. It was like I was in a totally different environment. Also, turns out there's only three rows of audience members whereas on TV it seems like there's an incredible audience every time! I was very disappointed. At the same time, it was cool to see the people run the show, and how everything was put together. I guess what I'm trying to say is it seems that as we disconnect with real, and connect more with the imaginary, not only does it replace the real but seems more appealing than what is real.