Humanity benefits from the advancement of technology, which results in greater convenience and more leisure time. However, the increase of electronic capabilities leads to laziness.

One example of technological lethargy may be found in math classes, where students pull out a calculator instead of working out the problem on paper, or in their heads; however, this concept seems most evident in communication.

Virtual communication evolves constantly, most notably with the invention of e-mail, instant messaging and text messaging. Although these forms of communication are more expedient than personal letters and the telegraph, according to statistics established by Professor of Psychology, Albert Mehrabian at UCLA, an estimated 93% of communication is disregarded by the average person.

Socializing through websites deceives users, because true communication depends on interaction. MySpace alone has captivated over 56 million users internationally, from preteens to adults, to create personal profiles.

MySpace dubbed “a place for friends”, surpassed Google, Amazon, and eBay in the volume of page views according to CornScore Media Metrix.

MySpace profiles contain personalized information designed by each user, which conveys any number of desired general “facts,” such as name, age, interests, hobbies and “favorites.” Some MySpace users are members of multiple sites, including Xanga and Facebook, which receive over 10 million users.

The sites were originally created for file sharing, but have transformed into a socializing network. Even though most online profiles play music, shows photos and even short films, these websites lack true substance.

Virtual communication focuses on the future as opposed to the present, ultimately depriving users of the exchange of emotions. This increased speed of communication often transfers to daily conversation.

Online messages are terse with little genuine expression; many users rush through them and overlook the personal aspect involved in genuine communication, producing a superficial conversation.

The weakening of heart-felt exchanges, coupled with a lack of eye contact among other body language affect our ability to personalize and possess basic communication skills.

Studies show communication consists of both physical interaction and verbal skills. This drop in verbal skills may lead to a loss of analytical interpretation in daily conversations, resulting in a lack of mental stimulation.

Technological advancements enable us to accomplish tasks once thought incapable to man, resulting in the improvement of our daily lives. If convenience continues to be our primary objective rather than the enhancement of communication skills, human relationships will continue to deteriorate. In addition, indolence will manifest itself, leading to a diminished quality of life for all.