Snippets

This world moves so fast. I feel as if I am being swept along in its turbulence. We have modified so much of who we are to be almost at light speed. We communicate without seeing or hearing. We meet without greeting. We have become intimate while being completely tangential.

How does any of this make sense? Its sort of like living in a fractured fairy tale. We have so much granduer and beauty. We know so many wonderful people. We find so many new and interesting ideas, images and sounds every day. But we seem to do all of this at a distance. This worldwide web that has brought us all so much closer, woven a fabric of global connection, yet is also sets us apart.

We learn to connect in this new way. In quick snippets of thought. A shared bit of music, poetry or art. Slipping in and out of each other's lives in a random dance. Yes, it is wonderful, but it is also in someways rather sad. I wonder if we will eventually lose the subtler art of long conversations on the front porch. Of sharing an evening of song rather than just posting one to share. Will we get so good at filling the gaps in our lives with this constant internet dance that we no longer need the rest?

Already I see glimpses of a world where our ability to speak is shriveled. The kids on the street are talking in text-talk. Quick abbreviations for full sentences. Entire conversations can be held like this - its like a whole new language. What would normally take at least 15 minutes to exchange is over in less than 2. And then they are off - just a few quick snippets, no real time to connect and no real need to.

How human or humane will our world be if we reduce ourselves to this? And what will I do with my walls and walls of books that no one will ever think to read again when that time comes to pass?