Who are we and what are we intended to know anyway? Why are we here? Recently, I've been seeing signs, and bumper stickers, and people who completely cover their vehicles in these graphic wraps informing us that the end of the world is coming on May 21, 2011. Is it the end of the world as we know it? Or will the world actually end and we won't be around. Perhaps I should hold off making those Memorial Day weekend reservations.
How are these people privy to such information. If this was such a monumental event, I would expect that Homeland Security or some other government agency be warning us right now. The people who hold dearly to these 'predictions', how can they have such faith in this information. Perhaps I am just a skeptic at heart - with some things, anyway- I question the amount of water or oil I am supposed to use in a box cake mix, and always overcompensate for fear of lack of moistness, because nothing is as terrible as a dry cupcake. When someone says the check is in the mail - I don't fully trust them until it clears my account. So, if I don't have faith in what Betty Crocker has been perfecting for decades - how can people have such faith that the world will end on May 21 or other claims that require some sort of divine miracle or act of "God". Is it really all about faith or does the saying, "ignorance is bliss" hold sway? I'm not trying to disrespect anyone for their beliefs - I have numerous beliefs and habits that I conduct religiously, but do not prescribe to any one path. Just trying to work this out in my head and in my heart.
And, for fun...I think Google is as close to the divine as we are getting these days. Think about it -you can pretty much get an answer from Google on any topic: inspiration, answers to your deepest, darkest questions and desires, whatever ails you, scares you, and everything in between. I have faith that when I turn to Google I am going to get a response that will help my current situation. Amen, Google.
Now that I got some of the ridiculous out of my system, if the world is going to end on May 21, 2011 - I wish you all the best wherever we will be on May 22.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Is technology showing our real age?
It is me or...if you don't have a smart phone - you're phucked. How will you face the world without Facebook? How will you identify yourself without an iPhone or an iPad? I must admit they are sexy, fun little toys, but we are all developing the "21st century stare." Here's the picture: electronic device in hand, head slightly askew, as to be in a reasonably comfortable position and navigate the hand held device of your choice. Now walk or drive or stare at it while you're in a conversation with other people. Maybe you will trip, fall into a fountain, walk into a parked car or piss off your friend, husband or wife as you ignore them and read the latest status update on Facebook that appears to be more interesting than the current conversation or company. I swear...with all the keying we do on our phones, we are going to evolve our digits (fingers) into paddles for thumbs and our other fingers will be pointed tips like some sort of stylus!
Technology is allowing us to witness this incredible sociological experiment --the evolution or decline of our culture-- you decide which it is, and I will observe the specimens at play.
I know there have been many others before me who have pontificated on this point and talked it to death, but as technology offerings become more affordable, they become more widespread - will we see a breakdown in real human interactions? Or am I just being nostalgic for meeting a friend in a cafe over drinks or lunch to talk about their latest status updates or seeing their pictures from a trip, which they could show me via their Facebook or Shutterfly photo album. It just makes me wonder if this explosion of social networking will implode and we will actually see a decline in human interactions - will we evolve or devolve back to grunting and drawing etchings of early mammals on cave walls? Perhaps it is my love of conversation and for the written word that causes me concern, as acronyms and emoticons replace verse and prose.
I guess it was this way with every cultural revolution. You had the resilience and brilliance of youth bring about the needed change -- the early adapters. Then there are those who wait around for a later version - so the bugs could be worked out or there was enough empirical evidence to believe in the cultural changes, and then you had those who wouldn't budge. I believe that the only thing that changes is change. And if you aren't willing to be resilient, and at least humor life, you'll get old--- real quick! Because if you don't update statuses or text or find some other technologically driven device to connect with others - you'll be left in an analog, clam-shell phone world. And the likes of big business will price you out of the market and give you no other choice than to upgrade or return to the likes of a TV with an antenna. How bad could it be to return to antenna TV? That's what many of us grew up with. Toy with the notion for awhile - it creates an inner conflict - an almost longing to say, "screw this, I could totally give up technology and revert to the ways of ancient man living in the 1970's <sarcasm implied>." or does one just drink from the chalice, and join the religious ranks, who can be found bowing and curtseying to the almighty Apple gods.
Technology is allowing us to witness this incredible sociological experiment --the evolution or decline of our culture-- you decide which it is, and I will observe the specimens at play.
I know there have been many others before me who have pontificated on this point and talked it to death, but as technology offerings become more affordable, they become more widespread - will we see a breakdown in real human interactions? Or am I just being nostalgic for meeting a friend in a cafe over drinks or lunch to talk about their latest status updates or seeing their pictures from a trip, which they could show me via their Facebook or Shutterfly photo album. It just makes me wonder if this explosion of social networking will implode and we will actually see a decline in human interactions - will we evolve or devolve back to grunting and drawing etchings of early mammals on cave walls? Perhaps it is my love of conversation and for the written word that causes me concern, as acronyms and emoticons replace verse and prose.
I guess it was this way with every cultural revolution. You had the resilience and brilliance of youth bring about the needed change -- the early adapters. Then there are those who wait around for a later version - so the bugs could be worked out or there was enough empirical evidence to believe in the cultural changes, and then you had those who wouldn't budge. I believe that the only thing that changes is change. And if you aren't willing to be resilient, and at least humor life, you'll get old--- real quick! Because if you don't update statuses or text or find some other technologically driven device to connect with others - you'll be left in an analog, clam-shell phone world. And the likes of big business will price you out of the market and give you no other choice than to upgrade or return to the likes of a TV with an antenna. How bad could it be to return to antenna TV? That's what many of us grew up with. Toy with the notion for awhile - it creates an inner conflict - an almost longing to say, "screw this, I could totally give up technology and revert to the ways of ancient man living in the 1970's <sarcasm implied>." or does one just drink from the chalice, and join the religious ranks, who can be found bowing and curtseying to the almighty Apple gods.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Is it okay just to accept bad behavior?
Warning: Emotional Rant is about to ensue.
Is it me or does it seem that these days to be perceived as a person of substance you need to be rude, a drug addict, an idiot, or say you are warlock teaming with Tiger's Blood?
Each day we are exposed to some or all of the above mentioned - at work, TV (TMZ is not allowed in my house), radio, print, Facebook, wherever, and it feels like we have to honor these people with our attention because it is what dominates our culture. Possible solution - shut yourself off from the free world. Hide away in a cabin, in the woods of a remote part of Maine, Canada, perhaps a cozy jungle bungalow. While lovely for a stretch of time, I don't think I could handle that much solitude.
While they may not be representative of a larger portion of the population - these, for the lack of a better term, emotional vampires require so much attention that they suck up precious time with their antics. It's like that snot-nosed, annoying kid who ran around in your kindergarten class spitting and punching girls, who took up most of the teacher's time to get under control, and by the time she/he did - bamm...it was snack time, then nap time, and then time to get on the bus. In 1977 it was half day kindergarten. So, not much real learning was acquired.
I can think of a few people, from kindergarten and throughout my life - including present time, that are "rewarded" for their bad behavior with attention or whatever else they require, it perpetuates a cycle of selfishness and the rest must suffer the slings and arrows of their outrageous behavior. What to do? Ignore it. It's hard when you must work with or are related to or required to socialize at some levels. Chalk it up as...well, we all have egos and some rear their heads differently than others. Call them on it. If someone is behaving like a jack ass or a school yard bully...call them out on the carpet, as I would expect the same if I were behaving poorly.
Is it me or does it seem that these days to be perceived as a person of substance you need to be rude, a drug addict, an idiot, or say you are warlock teaming with Tiger's Blood?
Each day we are exposed to some or all of the above mentioned - at work, TV (TMZ is not allowed in my house), radio, print, Facebook, wherever, and it feels like we have to honor these people with our attention because it is what dominates our culture. Possible solution - shut yourself off from the free world. Hide away in a cabin, in the woods of a remote part of Maine, Canada, perhaps a cozy jungle bungalow. While lovely for a stretch of time, I don't think I could handle that much solitude.
While they may not be representative of a larger portion of the population - these, for the lack of a better term, emotional vampires require so much attention that they suck up precious time with their antics. It's like that snot-nosed, annoying kid who ran around in your kindergarten class spitting and punching girls, who took up most of the teacher's time to get under control, and by the time she/he did - bamm...it was snack time, then nap time, and then time to get on the bus. In 1977 it was half day kindergarten. So, not much real learning was acquired.
I can think of a few people, from kindergarten and throughout my life - including present time, that are "rewarded" for their bad behavior with attention or whatever else they require, it perpetuates a cycle of selfishness and the rest must suffer the slings and arrows of their outrageous behavior. What to do? Ignore it. It's hard when you must work with or are related to or required to socialize at some levels. Chalk it up as...well, we all have egos and some rear their heads differently than others. Call them on it. If someone is behaving like a jack ass or a school yard bully...call them out on the carpet, as I would expect the same if I were behaving poorly.
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