By FELICIA CZOCHANSKI
Malaysia Airlines communicated the death of passengers to grieving families via text messaging. (Samuel Joseph/The Ram)
Advancements in technology are appealing and make life more convenient. Why else would the entirety of society be constantly plugged into devices?
Sure, these devices somewhat hinder “old-fashioned” face-to-face communication, but being connected through things like social networking and cell phones is almost a staple of modern life.
Despite the benefits of technology, it seems that people become too easily wrapped up in impersonal methods of communication such as texting or tweeting. In recent years, these have become major forms of communication, however impersonal and informal.
There are certain situations where this informal kind of communication, though easier, is improper and insulting, such as when breaking up with a boyfriend via text or quitting a job. Society has trained us to recognize these circumstances and communicate such matters in appropriate ways.
Face-to-face communication is more sincere, and, though often forgotten, it has a greater and more meaningful impact on people.
Why then did Malaysia Airlines send text messages to victims’ families confirming the deaths of their loved ones?
On March 8, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 went missing. For 16 days, an extensive search attempted to find its whereabouts. Since then, there have been glimmers of hope that the crew and passengers may still be alive. That is, until last Monday when the airline sent the families a text message.
“We deeply regret that we have to assume beyond reasonable doubt that MH370 has been lost and that none of those on board have survived…we must now accept all evidence suggests the plane went down in the Southern Indian Ocean,” the airline stated.
However sincere the airline may be, its choice of communication comes across as nothing but cold and inconsiderate. Of course it is easier to send out a mass text than to make dozens of phone calls or meetings, but it is downright inhumane to break such serious, life-changing news in such a casual manner.
The revelation of the outcome of the hundreds of lives aboard certainly demands more compassion and respect than the families were given.
It might as well have stated, “Hey, what’s up? BTW there’s a ninety-nine percent chance that your relatives’ plane crashed. Just an FYI because it’ll probs be all over the news later.”
I find Malaysia Airlines’ actions to be distasteful, unprofessional and lacking compassion. It makes one wonder how technology has blurred the line between convenience and common courtesy.
What else must happen for one to realize that though it may be easier for him or her to shoot out a half-thought out, grammatically incorrect text, this is not the most appropriate method of communication in many situations?
Personal contact is not as intimidating as contemporary society makes it seem. In past technologically deprived generations, people survived just fine without being connected to some sort of device at all times. As a result, they were much more rational and courteous when dealing with serious situations.
Ensuring that one has technological social etiquette is important and makes a difference in one’s message.
Taking that extra second to glimpse over not only the physical message, but also the sentiment of the delivery, goes a long way if it helps you realize that a text may not be the most appropriate way to communicate what you need to say.
Felicia Czochanski, FCRH ’17, is an undeclared major from Metuchen, N.J.
