''Technology... the knack of so arranging the world that we don't have to experience it." Max Frisch
I wanted to share some thoughts with you prior to my leaving the United States and portalizing back to Pizzaonia. You cannot help but notice how technology has affected how we live and how we react to each other. Here are some of my reflections on how everyday life has changed in the United States.
On the need for interaction with each other...
Today, I can function reasonably well on a day-to-day basis without interacting with other people. I still interact, but now I do it through the efficiency of the digital machine.
I am aware that I deal with service people everyday, but is that real interaction? In a service situation, we tell people what we want, and they do it for us. When they give us what we want competently, we are pleased, and we pay the going price for the service.
Social interaction occurs when you are part of a social unit with a common goal, and you have to resolve individual differences in order to succeed.
At one time, a family unit had to interact successfully to remain a family. In previous times larger family units living together had to interact on every level to make things work.
From sharing rooms to cooking and cleaning, all were shared activities that had to be managed with some civility for a family to function. This socialization process made it easier for all of us to relate to the larger world we engaged in everyday.
In the workplace, we had to engage other people to function; we had to find common ground to succeed and earn our paycheck. These goals are still important, but we no longer need the same social contact to function efficiently within our respective bubbles.
I wonder how many of us remember when families had to decide what they would have for dinner so everyone would be considered - or what TV shows would be watched so everyone had some say in the decision. Of course, then, we had one dinnertime and one TV set – not the case anymore.
Despite the wonders and good technology brings it also has its dark side. Demands on our time and easily available tech recourses isolate us in ways we now are beginning to understand. Today we can participate in a family and work environment and remain in isolated splendor.
No one has to divide and conquer anymore; it has already happened. Remember to give your computer/tablet, i/smart phone a hug today. Let them know you really care about them.
Brother Giovanni, thoughts from Pizzaonia
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