As readers of my column and blogs know, I am big on being present to the moment. On being still. I remember once, years ago, lamenting to Mike Collins, then editor of The Catholic Times where I have published a monthly column, that email and voicemail were taking a toll on us. We had to be available 24/7 and we didn’t physically connect with one another as often when an email would do.
He reminded me of that comment ( and column) years later when I attended his mother’s wake.
“Hi Mike. I haven’t seen you for ages,” I began.
He smiled his wry smile and said, “I remember a columnist who once wrote about the insidious effects of email on personal connections. She emails her column in now and I rarely see her.”
I must have blushed, at least a little.
Today’s op-ed in the New York Times by Sherry Turkle, “The Documented Life,” reminded me of my objection and of the reality of succumbing to technology’s siren. (Well, I still have an ancient flip cell phone. No face-time for me. That may change since the hinge of the phone is broken and has the annoying result of cutting off conversations or stopping them before they get started by “hanging up” as soon as I open it up.) I have had many dinners and conversations interrupted by cell phones, texting, the need for face-time etc etc. Not that such things are inherently bad, but they impinge on the present moment, the physical moment. Yes, face-time, texting, and conversations with someone you don’t often see is a “present moment” when you are engaged in it. But often, it comes while previously engaged with someone in the flesh. Or in a moment of engagement with the world around us.
Give this a read. And think about it. What’s your experience? Share if you’d like.
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