I am a self-proclaimed (maybe even ‘crowned’ by some) techno geek! Besides making my living in this way, for many years, I’ve tried hard to always include people—individuals—in my equation.
Some people hide behind technology. Some people choose it because it’s the lazy way out. Some people prefer it to real, human interaction. Some people use it wisely; others poorly. I’ve been all those people at one time or another.
In the classroom, when I teach computer theory, there’s a chapter in one of our textbooks on “computer ethics”. When we get to it, I ask my students this question: ‘would you say/do the same thing in e-mail, or in an instant message (IM), that you would say or do in person?’
I have always embraced e-mail, IM, and an array of other communications and collaboration tools. Initially, in my ‘formative’ technological years, I was not as humane, understanding, thoughtful or compassionate as I should have been. And I still slip up sometimes in moments of haste, stress … even anger. But before I write or respond to an e-mail, find myself about to jump in on a forum discussion group, or am involved in a chat session, I try to remember that there are living, sentient, feeling humans on the other end of the line.
Virtual assistants embrace technology in a large way. So it was a natural thing for me to move into the VA field, bringing along what I already knew about computers and technology, and learning a few new tools while doing my VA training. Now I’m involved with several groups of people (including fellow VAs, clients, and forum or discussion group members). All of these people are important to me. Because of that, using technology compassionately, and with understanding, is important too.
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