Thursday, June 12, 2008
The "Outside" World
When was the last time you enjoyed a walk outside while feeling the warmth of the sun on your face? When was the last time you went outside and looked at the sky to check if it was gonna rain? When was the last time you went outside?
I remember a time when kids played outside as I walked by; you'd have to show 'em hell before the games were over. Come tomorrow, the games would have resumed. Nowadays, games are played in a small airconditioned with flashing boxes controlled by mice with no feet – played by children who neither look, talk, nor have any kind of social interaction with each other. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but where is the fun and learning in that?
The outside world has literally become an “outside world”; we have become so alienated with it that most of us are uncomfortable once we step outside. Can we survive in a world without mobile phones, computers or the internet? Our forefathers survived without them so I know we can, too. However, the internet has become a vital tool for businesses that some feel that it is a vital tool for every aspect of their life as well. There are very few tasks that can't be done online these days, and most people would rather click a mouse than walk to the nearest store. If someone can come up with a gadget that can do all the thinking for us, people would embrace that without so much as a second thought; and they say freedom is important.
Is technology enabling us or is it limiting and shrinking our world?
It's a double-edged sword. It would be hypocritical of me to say that technology has not helped us in any way. However, to say that online interaction is “real” social interaction, would be ignorant of you. Too much of a good thing will kill you. Technology is not exempt from this adage. Too much of it will kill your social skills and eventually your social life – maybe even you. We should all drink from the bountiful cup of technology in moderation.
If you don't like what you're reading so far, TAKE A HIKE. Seriously. It will do you a lot of good. Even just a 10-minute walk will do wonders for your well-being. I won't take it against anyone if they'd rather take their dog for a walk than continue reading. In fact, I dare you to. Go ahead. Get out – and leave your laptop, mobile phone, PDA, or whatnot at home.
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Posted by shadoweaver at
