LOOK UP

Listen, I love technology as much as the next person. I even had a minor stint as a “gamer” on Facebook and learned soon how very quickly you can be sucked into those alternate worlds. I think it is a form of decompressing for people, a kind of meditation. But, time–suck doesn’t begin to cover it. Time-thief is more accurate. I finally, finally, finally moved on. No criticism, there are just so many other things I would rather be doing.

Like all of us, I see people of all ages continually bent over their mobile phones, attached to them at all times, walking, talking, eating, almost sleeping (Most certainly at the bedside). They are truly amazing and wonderful devices that give us instant gratification, immediate answers to any question, instant connection via call, email or text anywhere, anytime, to anyone. And if that’s not fast enough, some of us have Siri to tell us everything we need to know and where to go. Hey, and I’m not even talking apps.

The whole world is in our hand. But the trouble is it’s not. It’s not. It’s not. It’s a hand held device. It’s not real life. As much as I admire it, and truthfully love the applications, my phone is not my life.

It’s disturbing. My girlfriends go out to dinner and there is not a single time the phones don’t come out at some point. I’ve tried to instigate the, you look at your phone during dinner, you pay scenario, without success. Look around the next time you are in a restaurant and you will see what I mean.

All I’m saying, and to not belabor the point, what if the internet failed? In this age of super-hackers, it’s entirely possible. So Again, all I’m saying is look up. Even if just occasionally. What we have of life is right now. Look up. Look at the sky. Not a picture of it. Neil degrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist who is the new Carl Sagan, says every single time he goes outside, he looks at the sky. What a superb habit. It’s constantly changing. A wonder. Don’t miss your life. Look up.