Letters to the Editor
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Let your lud light shine and shine
I remember when answering machines were new in the 70s and a lot of people spent a lot of time complaining about how impersonal and machine-like it all was, how it was destroying this and that and leading to god knew what for our future. Hard to believe for those not even born then, I know. Because in fact over time they just became part of the landscape and more or less invisible, just another tool to use, and often a tool to use in order to become more connected and in touch and intimate, not less so.
This cartoon reminds me of some old codger who corners you at a family gathering and goes on about how much better it was before these newfangled whatchamacallits (enter whatchamacallit of your choice) an exchange which leaves you thinking you know, I'd rather receive a thousand text messages from more positive less cranky people than to have to listen to one real in-person reminisince on the good old days and how terrible it all is now from you.
The alternative to text messages or e-mails from Mom is not a hug, but silence. I keep in touch with family from afar by e-mail, text and even fax and it makes me feel more connected, not less. And when I visit I still get the hugs, which I would have gotten anyway, I just don't miss them quite as much during the periods in between.
I've never really understood it all myself, and I may be close to Breathed's age. Just to prove it's not entirely about that. I find the idea that technology will make us lonely and impersonal so odd, when in fact the alternative is just a phone ringing with no one answering.