Humpday Happenings...
If there is one thing I have come to enjoy about this "new-fangled" thing called blogging, it's that I not only get to rant, rave, and otherwise "get those burrs from under my saddle", but also, I get to hear from others with THEIR views and comments.
And, in some ways, it's much like having a conversation with people you would probably never get to meet, but if you would, you'd WANT to sit down with them over a drink or meal, and discuss "things"...
Regardless of how "small" the world has gotten in the brief time I've spent here, and regardless of how much technology as fostered such a belief in a shrinking planet, this is STILL, mile for mile, a pretty LARGE place to hang one's hat.
If our world is "smaller", it's because so much has been changing over the decades.
This planet, and her people are always in a state of flux, and it's occurring with such rapidity these days, that many of us can barely keep the hell up.
I will say that in MY particular case, much of the world has gotten LARGER, in that I can purchase things from other nations that I simple would NOT have the time (nor gas money...LOL) to make it practical.
We can converse with people clear across our nation, in real time, with a video link. That doesn't shrink my perspective of the world...it broadens it.
Back in the Pre-Jurassic days, when we had party line telephones and ONLY 3 or 4 channels on our televisions, we could only see the world if we hopped into the car with the parents and DRIVE somewhere...OR took a TRAIN or BUS. Air travel was something for those with a LOT more disposable income in those days...or those in the military.
You wanted to "visit" another country?

Fine, get out your VIEWMASTER and pop in that reel from SCOTLAND!
We couldn't record ANY show we wanted to see over again. And movies on TV was a "new thing"...complete with commercials.
We COULD record audio...on a reel-to-reel recorder, but it was usually NOT in stereo.
What we DID experience about the world, we did IN PERSON (when we didn't read about it or see some movie reel about it).
Like I said, that was a time-consuming and financial burden most of us often saved all year for, if we were that fortunate.
Today, we can "virtually" BE anywhere, or with some computer games...BE anyone (else).
Now, if you think today's post was going to be about technology, go to the head of the class.
I will say that technology, if PROPERLY utilized, IS something we can ALL benefit from.
There are those who will counter that technology is "shrinking" our world.
And I would reply, that if anything, it IS shrinking our VALUE SYSTEM.
This is based on the totally irresponsible use OF that technology.
Instead of having some molester hanging out the playground, we NOW have Internet seduction and pornography.
Instead of just walking in and robbing a damn bank, we now have Internet identity theft and illegal wire-transfers of funds.
And the list goes on...
So yes, in some ways, this technology HAS become an ever-growing millstone about humanity's neck.
But I would also have to defend all the good purposes for which such technology exists, and is put to use.
Doctors can get tons more information when diagnosing a patient, or can communicate documentation across the globe when dealing with a pandemic. Tele-conferencing gets more people to work finding good solutions to problems local or abroad.
So there IS a YIN-YANG aspect to all of this.
But all of this DOES come at a price, and I'm not talking about that bill at the middle of the month for usage fees.
Back when things were "simpler", sure we dealt with things individually, had to go to a LIBRARY and READ SOME BOOKS to get answers or find information about something or someone.
We USED to write letters to communicate with others in another country. Calling them was just too expensive.
We used to actually sit down and TALK with one another. Today...not so much.
We're loosing that personal aspect to our interactions with one another.
And we're loosing our manners along with it, simple BECAUSE we're NOT interacting on the level we all USED to.
Now, if you were brought up with a good value system, using all this technology simply redefines HOW those values are best put to use. You act accordingly when "online", JUST as you would, had you been interacting with people face-to-face.
When I post here, what you see is who I am.
I attempt to post as if I were chatting with every one of you sitting beside me at Denny's for breakfast...or something similar.
Yes, I might use a "colorful metaphor" (or five) from time to time, but it's only because I am adamant about how I feel about something or someone. Can''t blame a person for having feelings now, can we?
If we were to meet in person, I'd pretty much be the same guy who blogs here...and sound exactly like my posts.
Dad always said that "Your words should be your bond", and by that, he meant that if you want to lie to people, you better be damn good at it, because someone will catch you in it.
So the solution is not to lie...simple, huh?
Technology makes deception all the more easier, unfortunately.
Our best defense to that is to remain WHO we are, and speak our mind.
Most times, you'll never win any popularity contests by telling the truth, because we all know that NO good deed ever goes unpunished, but, if nothing else, people WILL respect your opinion, even though they'll never say so.
Therefore, I will continue to use this technology in the pursuit of fact, the continuance of truth, keeping the scales of justice in balance, and enjoying my journey through life, as well as getting to know some pretty decent people like yourselves.
Besides, with arthritis, (and the cost of stamps) you really expect me to WRITE each and every one of you?
C'mon now...gimme a break!
I ain't getting any YOUNGER over here...LOL!
Have a great day, and...
Stay safe out there, America.