I was listening to the radio as I was driving from home to my Starbucks at 5am. One of the talk show hosts mentioned that today was the anniversary of Youtube. This particular host talked about what life was like before Youtube. I can’t fathom that Youtube was that big of a thing. Yet, much like Facebook, the internet and texting life is different. This talk show guy is actually single and doesn’t have kids but still can’t imagine life before Youtube and he’s a 40 something!
Yesterday was Valentine’s day and the street corners were filled with vendors trying to hawk their overpriced stuffed bears or baskets filled with an assortment of candies. Can you imagine life without Valentine's Day? Isn't it amazing how we have to invent holidays or create social networking sites in order to have relationships? I have to confess that I at times fall back on texting as a means to communicate without communicating.
Last night at our mentor group we talked about love and Valentine's Day. It is clear that most growing up in today's world don't have many if any role models of good relationships so FB or Utube become that substitute for a friend! I had a total shock when I discovered that one of my more awesome teen's is going through another family meltdown. Mom had just kicked out dad. I have to confess that it is the man cave thing that has pushed the need for social media and a shorten form of communication like e-email or texting.
I was even more shocked to see one of my more theologically driven friends on FB. It was hilarious to read some of the posts of this guy's friends, myself included about what would move him to do it. Much like I have a teen living with us who truly believes that Utube is his path for fame and fortune and that college or even finishing high school isn't important. What has happened to our society that we have substituted technology for friends or relationships?
So how do I find or cultivate real life and friends when my battery on my iPhone dies or my Mac Air's 7 hour battery is close to dying? I know that talking eyeball to eyeball is revolutionary but it's got to start there! I think of how God purposely sent his son in the flesh and he moved into the neighborhood. I talk about the need to live where you are going to work and otherwise your impact with be minimal at best. Yes, my wife's brother who is living and working in Kabul is able to talk via Skype with his family in a real way but I know he would rather connect in person ultimately.
You are right Dave. We are a poorer nation in many respects - personal communication/touch being one of them. My grandparents had what was called "front porches" where you could see people on the sidewalk and per-chance talk with your neighbors. Backyards were places to put the garbage or park the car near the alley. Now we eliminated the front porch and have created private havens in our backyards where we don't have to see anyone else. We now have virtual lives...
ReplyDeleteThanks! The great aspect of our neighborhoods is that there are porches that bring everyone out front instead of hiding inside our homes!
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