Social Media

-
Isn't it wonderful?

Where else can you go to hear from someone you knew in the 2nd grade, or fight with a complete and total stranger?

I thought about it a lot yesterday because I answered a whole bunch of 'Happy Birthday' messages.

There were a few very interesting new photos of me...I'll be using the one of me as a Yankee in a Tops baseball card...great shot.
(Thanks, Dan).

But the well wishes also made me smile all day long.

You see, being a tad O.C.D. I can't possibly just wait until all the messages arrive and then send out a blanket 'Thank-you'.

I have to respond immediately to each one.

Which makes for a busy day.

But that is certainly the gift that social media brings.

There are old friends -from grammar school-from high school-from college, and now onto work who I'd never actually hear from unless we were simply trading messages on Twitter or Facebook.

And it's not like you know everyone like you did back in the day...

...but at least you know that they're still out there and they're still kinda' in your life.

I'm wondering how much more it will advance too.

Sharing our thoughts...on a pretty consistent basis...has already changed relationships in the real world.

Think about it:

I sent a message a few weeks ago that said:

"Was just in a coffee shop and there was a guy sitting there, drinking his coffee, without a phone or a computer. I think he's a psychopath."

Stop by a waiting room now.

Heads down...no one looking at anyone else.

People just playing games on their little tablets.

Do an experiment:

Say 'Hi' to someone who is engrossed in their game or on their feed.

They may just have a heart attack right in front of you.

Now, I'm no better than anyone else.

I read a lot of stuff on my phone.

I've read at least 20 books on that small screen.

But is it ruining us?

Do we not see the people around us anymore?

We are all so busy staying in touch...

...that we're actually losing touch.

It was great to get all the messages yesterday...

...I thanked God that I have such a great family and so many friends through my days.

But there also came a moment when I set the phone down for a few minutes so I didn't miss any of the real people who were walking by.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more