It's not easy being green
Hello gentle Americans. What ever happened to polite conversation? As technology tramples forward it seems be stifling the very thing we need to feed our soul-human interaction.
Example: Electronic books in the past year have tried to take over the market; from the kindle to the e-reader we now have the ability to buy a book on line and sent to this device that simulates reading. You can download thousands of books and carry this lightweight gadget with you anywhere, eliminating the nasty bulk of carrying a real book. Sounds amazing huh? Not so. I live in a NYC, there were many times I was riding the subway, sat next to a person who was reading a book I had just finished and I turned to them and started up a little chat. With an electronic book you can’t tell what the hell the person next to you is reading; for all you know they could be reading-How To Make A Bomb In Your Bathtub In Less Than 10 Minutes. And to think if they had the actually book in hand you could have turned to them and said, “You know I read that book and it actually took me 30 minutes to make a bomb. What gives?” Laughter would ring in the air as he/she shared their experience on the same topic.
Something else I have noticed on the Subway, the newer trains have installed digital information that flashes on this screen to tell you of the upcoming stop and the time. Now back in the days, before we had clocks on the train, if you forgot your watch you would turn to the person sitting next to you and ask them the time. It would usually end there, but sometimes you would strike up a conversation and if they were exceptionally attractive go home with them and fuck to the wee hours of the morning. Cell phones have also eliminated this possibility, everyone has a phone which tells the time and numerous other things which seem more interesting than engaging another human being; everyone has their face buried into their phone, avoiding all outside contact. So the days of seeing a cute boy or girl and innocently asking them the time to break the ice are long since gone.
But maybe people were not meant to be in so much contact with each other and these technological advances are just another step forward in evolution? I personally think it is de-evolution, but who ever listened to my opinion on matter anyway. Though I could be missing the boat completely and maybe all these little gadgets are conversation starters? I am just not accustomed to saying to someone-Hey, nice e-reader you have there. Want to go back to my place?” I am going to get dressed now and jump on a subway and pratice.
Stay fresh,
x
i absolutely agree with this! sometimes technology isnt the best when it is limiting human interaction. each and every one of us are getting farther and father from each other as we get wrapped up into our own fantasy worlds inspired by advancing technology. i myself am finding it harder to get close to someone when all they want to do is stare at a computer/tv screen
a fan of yours <3
shannon
I do agree with this but on the other hand, Cyberspace does allow you to get to know people you otherwise would have turned your nose up at. It’s no different than Pen Pals of the era’s gone by.
elaine. cyberspace may let you get to know others. but sometimes it can end badly…and if you just keep an open mind to everyone you see in real life then there really shouldnt be any sticking of noses up at anyone…wish the world did work that way!
@ Shannon. Yes. Great point! I was talking about other people sticking their nose up at me. I am a middle age house wife from L-town who people routinely stick their nose up at.
I’m just too normal for them. Yet they don’t know me. Because if they did, they would be surprised.
Trust me, I know the dangers of cyberspace. I’ve been on the net since before it was the net. (1978) Now see, we don’t even know each other yet and we are exchanging comments on Hedda’s blog. You have to laugh about that…… at least..a little?
Lainie Rae
yeah you have me laughing. im a senior in high school whos always been an outcast because of my creative wierdness. it feels like everyone sticks their noses up at me! im not always the best at that myself…but i try to keep an open mind…people just see multi colored hair and designed up clothes and assume im a freak. lol…i laugh about it now because it doesnt matter to me anymore. im friends with middle aged normal women who i work with at work. and my adorable gay manager…i get along with everyone..they just dont with me. but i still refuse to interact personally with people online, had some bad experiences when i was naive about it..lol
always too wierd to handle,
shannon