Sunday, August 30, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
De-Socialization
“What is all the fuss about?” I thought last year, as I saw the length of the human chain of eager-to-be-consumers weaved together in what it seemed a rope of desperation for the latest Blackberry product. “Aren’t we suffering a recession…How are these people able to afford such an expensive gadget?” Rang in my head at the shocking disbelief of what I was seeing before me. “This new and “better” Blackberry must be promising miracles, because the line is three blocks long and a sidewalk-wide!”
Technology has and still is the unsatisfied crave of the modern rave; and no matter what age and social class—we all want a piece of this brave-new-world. Sure…it’s fun! Sending a text message to the buddies or updating our status on Twitter can be a nice break from our waking reality, but why do we allow modern-day technology to break our bank? Credit is not always the best choice; yet it seems no matter the cost,we are willing to pay just about any price. Let’s not get into the conversation of the nation’s individual debt. But just as important—are these devices strengthening our social network or actually weakening it? And is it “legitimate” leisure?
Instant gratification has become successfully commodified. We want it now…not later! Even the speed of light is impressed. We can now connect to anyone at anytime and faster than we have ever before. So why is it that people feel so…disconnected?
Quantity is the new quality. Commodifying communication has allowed us to fit a week into a day. It’s amazing how much we can get done in a day…yet we still feel like we’ve falling behind on task. Things pile up and we speed up. Everything’s faster, even the way we communicate with our social network. Instead of hanging out, we seem to be “checking in.” A few minutes here and there are sometimes all the time that we have to offer. This is why texting works so well. I’ve greatly noticed this myself because I don’t own a cell-phone. Call me old-fashioned, even outlandish, however, I choose to travel much slower than the rest. In fact, my friends joke over the telephone that we have talked for over an hour. Isn’t this normal? I guess I’m just out of the loop. I prefer to hear a real-live voice and exchange in real-live conversation—over a 20-second dose of text-abbreviated-socialization.
Blackberry products fall under leisure devices that help us connect as well as keep in touch with our social network, yet many folks spend countless hours emailing and texting the boss: who wants to know how we are progressing with that deadline. Somehow…the lines of leisure and business have crossed.
I worry about the future of these products. Will we become so over-stimulated with quick swigs of technological socialization that we are soon to become detached from that long-lasting, savoring reality? Are we doomed to be a generation of “plug-ins?” It seems that saying from the 60’s—from that famous hippie Guru, Timothy Leary—seems to be in the process of redefinition, which is to: “Turn on, tune in, and drop out,” with socialized technology as the new drug of choice.
Technology has and still is the unsatisfied crave of the modern rave; and no matter what age and social class—we all want a piece of this brave-new-world. Sure…it’s fun! Sending a text message to the buddies or updating our status on Twitter can be a nice break from our waking reality, but why do we allow modern-day technology to break our bank? Credit is not always the best choice; yet it seems no matter the cost,we are willing to pay just about any price. Let’s not get into the conversation of the nation’s individual debt. But just as important—are these devices strengthening our social network or actually weakening it? And is it “legitimate” leisure?
Instant gratification has become successfully commodified. We want it now…not later! Even the speed of light is impressed. We can now connect to anyone at anytime and faster than we have ever before. So why is it that people feel so…disconnected?
Quantity is the new quality. Commodifying communication has allowed us to fit a week into a day. It’s amazing how much we can get done in a day…yet we still feel like we’ve falling behind on task. Things pile up and we speed up. Everything’s faster, even the way we communicate with our social network. Instead of hanging out, we seem to be “checking in.” A few minutes here and there are sometimes all the time that we have to offer. This is why texting works so well. I’ve greatly noticed this myself because I don’t own a cell-phone. Call me old-fashioned, even outlandish, however, I choose to travel much slower than the rest. In fact, my friends joke over the telephone that we have talked for over an hour. Isn’t this normal? I guess I’m just out of the loop. I prefer to hear a real-live voice and exchange in real-live conversation—over a 20-second dose of text-abbreviated-socialization.
Blackberry products fall under leisure devices that help us connect as well as keep in touch with our social network, yet many folks spend countless hours emailing and texting the boss: who wants to know how we are progressing with that deadline. Somehow…the lines of leisure and business have crossed.
I worry about the future of these products. Will we become so over-stimulated with quick swigs of technological socialization that we are soon to become detached from that long-lasting, savoring reality? Are we doomed to be a generation of “plug-ins?” It seems that saying from the 60’s—from that famous hippie Guru, Timothy Leary—seems to be in the process of redefinition, which is to: “Turn on, tune in, and drop out,” with socialized technology as the new drug of choice.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Legalizing Choice
I can’t help but dive headfirst into the debate about drugs. All this recent talk about legalizing marijuana, for instance, has heated up the seats in Congress as well as the locals here in Walnut Creek—a very “politically-correct” town tucked away in the corner of the East Bay.
But don’t worry folks. I’m not going to say that marijuana is a “safe” drug that everyone should use; and those not using it are simply “missing out”.
What I am going to say is that marijuana is viewed as a negative leisure activity, so much, in fact, that people pay serious penalties. Living what seems a lifetime in jail away from family and society, all while becoming “institutionalized” is an unfair justice system.
So…how should society deal with “pot heads?” Make it legal! But wait before you cringe at the mere thought of this idea: consider all the societal benefits. The truth of the matter is that the phenomenon of smoking marijuana will never go away, so let’s put together our very own “stimulus” package. First, the obvious—slap a tax on it. Let’s face it; the economy needs all the extra green we can get! If it’s true that 4.1 million Americans are habitual marijuana smokers, that’s a lot of money to go around. Second, by legalizing marijuana, the level of gang violence associated with it (being at an all-time-record-high), will exponentially decrease. Third, the legalization of marijuana will also open up quite a bit of vacancy in the prisons, saving taxpayers a load of money. Fourth, it just isn’t right to treat individuals that smoke marijuana in the same way as rapists and murderers.
Marijuana, in many ways, is no different than alcohol. The same holds true; folks shouldn’t smoke and drive. And both can be harmful for the mind, body, and spirit, if not used in moderation; however, the consequence of harm that befalls one in prison because they chose to put a substance in their body—can last a lifetime.
But don’t worry folks. I’m not going to say that marijuana is a “safe” drug that everyone should use; and those not using it are simply “missing out”.
What I am going to say is that marijuana is viewed as a negative leisure activity, so much, in fact, that people pay serious penalties. Living what seems a lifetime in jail away from family and society, all while becoming “institutionalized” is an unfair justice system.
So…how should society deal with “pot heads?” Make it legal! But wait before you cringe at the mere thought of this idea: consider all the societal benefits. The truth of the matter is that the phenomenon of smoking marijuana will never go away, so let’s put together our very own “stimulus” package. First, the obvious—slap a tax on it. Let’s face it; the economy needs all the extra green we can get! If it’s true that 4.1 million Americans are habitual marijuana smokers, that’s a lot of money to go around. Second, by legalizing marijuana, the level of gang violence associated with it (being at an all-time-record-high), will exponentially decrease. Third, the legalization of marijuana will also open up quite a bit of vacancy in the prisons, saving taxpayers a load of money. Fourth, it just isn’t right to treat individuals that smoke marijuana in the same way as rapists and murderers.
Marijuana, in many ways, is no different than alcohol. The same holds true; folks shouldn’t smoke and drive. And both can be harmful for the mind, body, and spirit, if not used in moderation; however, the consequence of harm that befalls one in prison because they chose to put a substance in their body—can last a lifetime.
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