Category: Michael D
The Cell Phone Effect
I’ve been searching for an image that captures our post-Covid cell phone social media attention economy culture. This short clip from Batman Forever (1995) is a way of understanding what Facebook, X (Twitter), Google, Youtube, Instagram, Snapchat, Amazon, or whatever your favorite media addiction is doing to our brains and our personal information. You can add ‘influencer’ to the list.
Like Edward, Big Tech is soaking up our brain and our ability to socialize with people we know and don’t know. It has deepened the divide in our Nation and around the world with meme think, meme insult, and digital mob mentality. It has normalized “alternative facts.” I’m a GenX’er. They thought TV would rot the brain.
Do yourself a favor. Digital detox or rehab. Oh, it’s not lost on me that one must rely on a screen to read this scribbling. I’m suggesting set limits to who you give access to your attention and brain. You’ll be better for it.
The First Week in Lent
These words by an unknown author are some of the best I know for those that wrestle with what to do or how to be during Lent.
Fast from judgment, Feast on compassion
Fast from greed, Feast on sharing
Fast from scarcity, Feast on abundance
Fast from fear, Feast on peace
Fast from lies, Feast on truth
Fast from gossip, Feast on praise
Fast from anxiety, Feast on patience
Fast from evil, Feast on kindness
Fast from apathy, Feast on engagement
Fast from discontent, Feast on gratitude
Fast from noise, Feast on silence
Fast from discouragement, Feast on hope
Fast from hatred, Feast on love
What will be your fast? What will be your feast?
(Unknown Author, “Ash Wednesday.”)