// A note about those little red posters that has everyone in a fit:
The truth can be very uncomfortable.
Interacting through technology is about comfort and convenience. Sure, you’re comfortable with texting and social networking, because it gives you control over how you present yourself, convenience to connect at any time, and that makes you comfortable.
That doesn't make it good for you. It’s healthy as supplementary social interaction. It can’t replace value and presence of real life, face to face interaction. You can’t fit your essence into 140 characters. You can’t show someone who and what you are in 6 second, prerecorded installments.
Life isn't that convenient. It forces you to think on your feet, to act and react. Yes, it takes away the image editors and the endless rewrites that let you look your best, but I gives back so much more.
The depth and breadth of personal interaction far surpass words. Voice. Tone. Physical expression. Touch. Instant feedback. The freedom to ramble on and on with whatever comes to your mind. The respect of sharing that airtime with another living soul full of thoughts and feelings all their own. The privilege to relay meaning without words, granted by those who seek your attention and are willing to accept your silence as such. Real communication demands unfiltered communication and honest responses. It bleeds through deception in your face and in your stance. It helps you see “eye to eye”, perhaps the closest thing we have to “soul to soul”.
Let’s not forget, the invaluable gift of being unable to pass off an “I’m OK”, when you really aren't OK.
So don’t tell me again that you’re offended when I say in these glorified snapshots of real life, we have created a wonderful excuse for the scared and lazy parts of us to never be brave and strong. Don’t tell me that I can trust who you are from behind that screen. Anonymity may be your blessing, but it is my curse because I cannot know you. Behind that mask, you are closer to being nobody that anywhere else.
I wouldn't trade a hour of real life conversation for a hundred snap-chats, a thousand tweets, or ten days worth of texts.
stormborns
tangentwithtanner
snowghoul
kaledo-art
prguitarman
theartofmadeline
areudirty
yousharknotpass
