Impulsive generation

Do we "click click click" on our mouse or Enter button and expect people in the real physical world to function immediately the same way we expect from our computers or communication device?

This is something to think about. How can we achieve goals in the real world more effectively and most importantly, realistically?

I had an interesting discussion with a friend so I have to give credit for inspiring me to explore further of the psychology behind this "impulsive generation."

Before the Information Age, the world revolved much slower. People required participation of more physical presence in many processes that involved determination, patience, hard work, legwork, and actual real time to achieve goals. This kind of work ethic still continues today. Things cannot move by themselves. Actual labor and mobility are still required.

With today's Internet access, people involve themselves into more faster processes with a simple click of certain buttons. From their computers or communication device, they'd want immediate results. Want it to go faster? Increase CPU, memory, or network speed. Many who were born or raised into this technological age take these processes for granted today.

Now let's explore the negative aspects of such rapid Internet access from such Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers. Such immediate access can develop more demands or impatience or unrealistic expectations outside themselves. The chronic habit of clicking a mouse or pushing a button expect immediate outcomes. These impositions can cause complications in the real world and especially toward those involved in organizations, for example, the DBC (Deaf Bilingual Coalition) or NAD (National Association of the Deaf).

When a consumer become angry or impatient, they often resort to their impulsive nature. They want everything's done now! Answers now! Change now! Progress now! With a click of a button, they can say what they want and project that somewhere. Moreover, unrealistic expectations or demands are often placed upon other active participants involved in an organization. When that happens, there is more chance of developing conflict rather than setting up an avenue for timely productive dialog or progress to resolve various issues with those who function in real time out there in the physical world.

Using technology consists of a systematic process and while outside of technology, people function in a democratic process involving different processes, timing, and outcomes. Such impulsive nature of using information or communication technology discards that physical or democratic process that functions in real time.

Impulsive generation has taught themselves that through a push of a button or a click of a mouse that everything must be done immediately. Their self-gratifying nature shouts, "Now now now!" So how does that relates to the real-life logistics like forming a new organization like the DBC or planning for a conference in a short period of time? Realistically, it does not compute.

Consumers access to something in the Internet because it is convenient for them. They can do that from anywhere. It's easy and quick which does not require any legwork or physical presence. Active people involved in the organization through actual footwork and physical presence often face very unrealistic expectations from people behind their keyboards or webcams. The perspective toward actual human processes become distorted. Different processes, different timing.

Impulsive v/bloggers (and commenters) who tend to v/blog daily of their gripes often push issues down the active organization members' throats (or eyes for that matter) demanding immediate action and for them to do everything at once with little manpower, resources, and time. Some dissidents or naysayers (aka non-core members) continue to assimilate to their members of what is wrong with certain individuals or mechanism involved in an organization and that they are not moving fast enough or meeting their demands. This led to the formation of, for example, the Signing Circle, a website and chat room that polarized itself from the DBC movement. However productive they think they are doing, actual physical presence and footwork in the real world are still required to implement some goals into action. People can talk all they want with little physical action and mobility to show for it.

When readers and viewers have more access to those impulsive v/blogs (aka hot air), they often lose scope of those of whom with good intentions to begin with like the DBC that functions in outside world. They look for faults, resort to accusations, personal attacks, libel, and slander. Invasion of privacy became the new tactic from the likes. More and more people are afraid or turned off to be part of DeafRead because of increasing aversive behaviors. DeafRead and DVTV were suddenly overrun by pessimists instead of optimists. I don't blame them for not wanting to be part of this net community. It's immature and unproductive. It's time to reclaim that back when it was productive and thriving and everyone wants to be a part of this DeafRead experience.

It is currently known that the DBC people involved in such operations of running a new organization or national event have other commitments or plans to do this summer once it was all over. They have little time to respond to such chaotic remarks or hysterical behaviors from such people. It's beneath them really. Due to their level of dedication, personal expenses, and volunteering to provide a successful conference, aren't they are allowed to have a break or even a vacation to recuperate? Of course. It's called having a life. In real time than Internet time.

So my message here is to inform you to be patient and understand that the timing of human processes differ than technological processes. People who volunteer their time and did actual footwork for organizations like the DBC or NAD have real lives and democratic processes to implement. Don't expect people to function like computers or robots or your sidekick or BB via a click of a mouse or button. In due time, they will respond or request community participation and so on. The real world still revolves on actual human contact, community participation, legwork, lengthy dialog, and delegation to implement various processes apart from just relying on technology aids.

Understanding all this encourages us into thinking and accomplishing realistic goals of being part of the Internet community like DeafRead or the likes. Organizations often encourage information sharing of productive and realistic ideas, and participation from the Deaf Internet communities. It helps to reinforce some kind of healthy relationship, growth, and progress tied with their communities in order to accomplish some worthy goals for example, the promotion of early language access for Deaf babies through ASL (American Sign Language). Moreover, your physical presence and legwork are still needed to see it come into fruition. Thanks to the active participants and players and volunteers, the DBC and NAD conventions were a smashing success this summer. However, there is still more work to be done ahead of us. Civil attitudes, participation, and productivity will realize such goals.

It is only proper that I close off with Master of Cermonies' Joey Baer's inspiring declaration at the DeafRead Awards/Conference last February:

"Act locally, think globally."

Thank you.