We could probably agree that the quality of conversations or sex decrease when accompanied by texting or checking emails. I’m not going out on a limb here right?! And, in the September 26 NYT article, “Stop Googling. Let’s Talk.” by Sherry Turkle, she eloquently presents why this is. Read her work for more details but in sum, silence with no distractions allows us to think things over and know ourselves. The more we know ourselves the more we are able spontaneously and intimately converse and even be empathetic.
“Studies of conversation both in the laboratory and in natural settings show that when two people are talking, the mere presence of a phone on a table between them or in the periphery of their vision changes both what they talk about and the degree of connection they feel. People keep the conversation on topics where they won’t mind being interrupted. They don’t feel as invested in each other. Even a silent phone disconnects us.”
In your relationship what could be best practices for technology free time? While eating, while driving, the bedroom?