The irony of the so-called social media connection idea is how much more disconnected we are these days. And don’t try to defend your dozens of daily posts as how connected you are. Because that’s a fading facade.
Social media connection is mostly a digital soliloquy.
Sure, you can “reach out” and get in touch with someone, in a hurry, if you need or want to. And you can “friend” people you haven’t seen in decades. But the actual human connection just ain’t there.
My childhood came at a time, in America, when social connection was literally palpable. Here are some synonyms for palpable, right out of the dictionary, that illustrate what I mean:
- visible,
- observable,
- recognizable,
- unmistakable,
- obvious
When I was a kid, you know what you’d see in every neighborhood in town? Kids! Playing in the yard, in the neighbor’s yard, in the street. Or doing their “chores.” Like mowing the lawn. Feeding the dog. Cleaning the garage. And it wasn’t just the kids out there “in the ‘hood.”
Adults were out there, walking around the block, and having conversations with friends and other neighbors. Yeah! I saw it with my own eyes. So, I know it’s true.
And I remember being told we had to “come inside when it gets dark.” And kids would debate parents on the definition of darkness in order to stay outside “just a few more minutes.”
But now, you can walk for blocks, in most neighborhoods, and not see a single kid outside. Or adults either, for that matter. And you can literally pass someone on a sidewalk without as much as a simple “Hello.” And a lot of times that’s because their eyes are looking down at their device.
Texts and social media posts are now preferred over actual human connections.
And “self” is the focus. I don’t know this for a fact. But it wouldn’t surprise me to find out how more selfies are taken on smartphone cameras than anything else. Well, except for food maybe. But that’s another disconnect I can talk about some other time.
The social media connection, disconnect, reminded me of a song I wrote during my songwriter year in Nashville. It’s about how people get so busy and focused on “getting somewhere” that they disconnect from others who care about them. And it recommends not putting off time with those you care about. Because, in case you don’t already know, humans die. And then it’s too late to build, mend, or maintain relationships.
Then, your only hope of ever having that connection again is when you meet in the metaphorical…
Angel Café
I watched as your world got so busy.
I felt all the edges get rough.
And I know you just want a secure life.
But, I ask, is it ever enough?
Is it worth just what it may cost you?
Are you willing to pay off the fine?
Just be wary of what you neglect here.
That’s my own bottom line.
Well time flies away.
Don’t put off who you should get to today.
Time flies away.
Don’t you wait till we meet in the angel café.
Don’t you wait till we meet in the angel café.
(one verse and chorus from the song)
© 1992
Tons more of my words and music are available on Amazon. And there’s still time before Christmas…
(https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tony-Funderburk/author/B008R08LUG/allbooks)
Stay tuned,
