Yesterday was Sunday, and for a rare treat, I was out with my friend and my goddaughters. I sat in the cafe while LouLouBelle took the girls to the loo, and I people watched, which is one of my favourite hobbies. I spotted couples and families, and people sitting by themselves, and something dawned on me; as a culture, we are too reliant on technology. The little family; a Dad, Mum and daughter of about five, all sat around the table. The little girl was colouring in and chatting away, but her Mum and Dad weren’t listening to her, because Dad was on the iPod, and Mum was on her smart phone. The little girls questions went unanswered, and were picked up and carried away amongst the mêlée of people chatting and catching up, and the world going by. It was sad.
When my girls came back, I spent a little more time that normal listening to their sing song answers to the questions I asked, and appreciating their happy chatter, such are they removed from a world where the day’s happenings will sit as burdens on their shoulders. We talked cinema, and ballet, and, with the littlest one, about ducks and dogs, pointing at pigeons and shouting “DUCK!” like we were privy to a joke that the rest of the world was unaware of. A twenty something woman and a one year old girl, laughing like it was the funniest thing ever. But if you could have seen her face, you would know it was.
As a society, we are desperate to be seen as up to date; knowing the most relevant news and wearing the most current fashion. Our belongings have to be the latest designs, shapes and styles, and our lives are lead in constant contact with the rest of the world. We belong to a throwaway generation where everything is replaceable and it all has a value. Nothing is treasured, and we are so guilty of taking things for granted. We tweet, Facebook and email in real time, forgetting the simplicity of just being with the ones we love and making the most of the time that we have. I know we are all guilty of sitting in the lounge and half listening to our parents or children talking, while we see what is going on in the world of Facebook. We’ve all done it, and it seems totally acceptable in the world we live in. But think about what you would give to be back with that person when they are gone, and how you will regret not giving them your full attention, for however short the time frame. I know that when my mother talks about her garden I tend to switch off, but if she was gone I just know I would give anything to have her back, telling me the difference between one lily and another, or why its best to water your plants when its late in the day.
My great grandmother turns 100 in two weeks time, and lives in a world where all she has is a landline. Technology has overtaken her and if she needs to talk she writes a letter, taking the time over what she wants to say. The angry heat of saying things we don’t mean is removed as she has the time to shape her thoughts and paint them how she means them, and if something is pressing, she will call. No misconstrued text messages or inappropriate tweeting for her, just the calm and poise of a woman who has seen wars and peacetime, the births and deaths of those she loves and the changing of the landscape of the world. Yet she remains the same, and there is something to be said for that.
So from a one year old and a one hundred year old, we could learn some lessons.
A very thoughtful, and spot on, post.
This is the best post I’ve read from you. I think you’re on to something, and I admire you for nailing it. We, as a society, are becoming more shallow as time progresses. We’re doing this because the work of survival, and the attention necessary to keep up with technology does not permit us to easily stay on track with that, and to keep our feet planted in our own heritage. These days I spend a lot of time reminiscing about days gone by, and those people who are dear to me who are no longer with us. They are not only family, but more often they’re just good friends who came my way through choice, not ancestry. They are truly missed, and in my mind, that’s how they stay alive, through my regular visits to the mutual times we spent together. This is a secret I’ve kept to myself until now, and I hope you’ll avail yourself of it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me today. It was a very pleasant ten minutes.
and thanks for such kind compliments!
Wonderful, wonderful piece of writing. I couldn’t agree more! I spend my working days indulging in the simple silliness of childhood and it makes me a very happy lady. I’ve even managed to tempted the big brothers off of their gaming machines to come and shout “He’s behind you!” at the puppet show. Sometimes they’re even seen hopping along with their siblings with Bobby Bunny.
There’s nothing quite like human interaction is there? My latest blog post on my party blog ties in with what you have written as I deal with the question of shortening attention spans with the advent of modern technology.
I believe in fairies.
Very well said. We can’t put the horse back in the barn, but wouldn’t it be great to have a no iPad, smart phone, laptop, etc hour every day?
I “pressed this”. Terrific and timely post!
why thank you
There’s probably a message in this post. ;-D
Wonderfully timely for me; I was even listening to the Lovin’ Spoonful singing “Do you believe in magic.”
A message that needs to be passed along!
I didnt realise there was a song, I was quoting good old Roald Dahl!
Check it out on youTube — It’s from 1965, and I bet you will recognize it when you hear it. The song gets a lot of circulation!
I don’t know how to “Press This” or I would. Very mature and compassionate post, dear Belle. And wonderful advice to the less attentive people to watch out before the magic runs out and it’s too late. *hug*
As for magic…when I was little I fully believed in magic. I desperately wanted dimples and used to sit for tens of minutes at a time with my two index finger pressing in the tender flesh of my plump cheeks, wishing magically to have dimples, then peering anxiously into the mirror to see if they had (magically) appeared. All the times I peered, no dimples were to be seen.
Ask me if I still believe in magic. Oh yes, even more so. If you were to see me today, some 60-odd years after my wishing, you would see a most gorgeous pair of dimples on my cheeks. They appeared some time in my 40′s, magically and without explanation. Of course, you and I know that it was the magic. If you believe, it is never too late.
Belle, I am still here and still following your delightful blog. Circumstances have conspired to keep me mum, but I still think you have the best blog this side of the Atlantic
Thats awesome! Some people have back dimples and ive always wanted them, I’m going to start wishing
having a magical surname might help my cause!
Love this!
I am so glad that my kids are 20 and 22. They grew up with an unplugged mom….
We did too, I’m 26 and my sister is 24. The only thing we used to lose her to was the country music channel every now and then when she was doing the ironing!
Very true my friend!
I have many fond memories of the girls growing up and their special moments!
Now they are parents and have children of their own I am proud of the people they became…
Love and hugs!
Prenin.
Wise words
We should all spend more time talking and listening to people in our lives rather than to machines
That is so true. I think peope just get so caught up in the world of technology/throwaway fashion that they cease to live in a world of values.
When I was growing up there was no facebook or whatever and now I don’t have facebook because of that.
I no longer speak to people who I went to school with – simply because I’m so far removed from technology and stuff I prefer to email
I might be (a bit!) old-school but I’m happy that way!
modern technology is a farce…….a info revolution my ass…..a bullshit hype revolution is a closer description………….electronic gadgets for electronic gedgets sake………..more mindless chatter less communication………..
That was absolutely beautiful. Thank you for helping me to start my day off on such a beautiful note.
I tried to think of something clever or useful or insightful to say, but you already said it all. Wise words and lovely thoughts. All too true. As usual your blog is better than any magazine article I’ve found anywhere else.
Thanks Richard, I love when you comment
And thanks for the retweet, I really appreciate it.
Beautifully written.
While there certainly are many social benefits and advantages to our world of technology, we mustn’t ever think that an online social network is an appropriate substitute for face-time, or even voice-time.
Thank you for the reminder.
How lucky you are to have a great grandmother! I hope you spend lots of time with her too.
Great post! These are things people need to hear. Simple things like listening to each other could change the world.
I agree, beautifully written. I hope as many as possible read this.
thank you
and thanks for the retweet!
Yes!
absolutely brilliant! (why do I have a funny feeling you might have a secret crush on Boris Johnson? You have simply some of his finest pictures..lol)