PyeongChang Winter Paralympics opened on 9th Friday, after the end of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The Paralympics, which will be held from March 9th to 18th, are smaller in size and a lesser number of participants than the Winter Olympic Games, but they radiated deeper and more impressive power in the entrance ceremony. Participating players and people with them seemed happier and more enthusiastic. It seemed as though the feeling of being bright and happy was conveyed. Just looking at them is impressive. The faces filled with laughter, the expressions of joy and enthusiasm make the audience feel warm.
I have been to a special school for children with disabilities when I attended a school in Korea. At that time, I was a bit reluctant to face them, having preconceptions about people with disabilities. But the moment I met them I realized I was wrong. The children there seemed to be innocent and happy, just like any other child. Their eyes felt more pure and warm. I took a look at myself at that time. If I become congenitally or acquired disabled, will I be able to be such happy? Would not it be frustrating? Would I not blame myself or someone? Maybe it will.
No one wants to have a disability. Physical disability will be an obstacle to one’s daily life activity and it will lead ultimately. If there is a real obstacle, it will be a matter of how to live with it. As time goes on, you will realize that resentment and regret for disability do not make things better.
During the 10 days of Winter Paralympics, ice and snow will be a fun place to entertain them and make them excited. We will also be happy to see their passion. Participating athletes acknowledge their limitations but are beyond their limits. Regardless of winning and losing, they are all real winners.
Gains and losses of digital communication
People prefer messenger over the phone. They make friends through Social media, but people become lonelier and empty, and increasingly uncomfortable about treating someone further. What did the development of digital devices give us and what did they take away?
People interact with various people through messenger and social media. It is very easy to communicate with someone in a connected society where everything is connected. But despite the convenience of communication, people are becoming alone. Eating alone and watching movies alone has become a trend. In addition, you can easily see the figure of using your mobile phone while you are meeting friends around you. It is physically in the same space, but psychologically it is somewhere else. The opportunities for communication have increased, but the relationship with people around them has become neglected.
The digital generation is accustomed to communication through the Messenger. But texts do not contain expressions, actions, voices, and so on. So people who are accustomed to text messaging are less able to decode non-verbal messages. Therefore, it is difficult to understand the feelings of the other person with just the text message. Any emoticons or emoji is limited because they are emotionally over-exaggerated or reduced. This deficiency can lead to misunderstandings about the other person in the communication process. Furthermore, the deficient ability to decipher non-verbal means that you may have difficulty communicating with the other person in person.
Jeff Colin, the author of <Humans are underrated>, says that the greatest strength a person can have when compared to artificial intelligence is empathy. He says that direct interaction is diminishing, while the time to look at the phone increasing, and at the same time, empathy is getting lost.
Stephen Poggs, a professor at the University of North Carolina, also says a deficiency of a face-to-face conversation suggests a lack of empathy; his or her function will decline.
Six out of ten say living in the digital generation is a blessing. Clearly, the development of digital technology has opened up opportunities for communication. However, you should not lose the ability of empathy, which is an important ability of human. Even if it is a little uncomfortable and awkward, it is necessary to concentrate on the person sitting in front of you.**By Jihye Jeong, UB Intern
