Culture that avoids

There are a lot of things about culture that I love. In fact, one thing I really like right now, is the growing popularity for social media. Just when you think its at its peak, it peaks again. Fascinating really. But, with every great trend has its downsides too.

I've noticed something that really bothers me. Rarely have I been accused of being indirect and I recognize that others don't exactly have the same gift mix of directness, but there is a level of politeness.   Living in a world where we bury ourselves in our phone, computer, tablet, etc. we've become more acquainted with the screen than we have with a face. Result, we're a culture that avoids. We avoid getting back to people, conversing, hanging out, thinking for ourselves, and experiencing things. Here's what I mean.

Today, instead of just telling someone no, or yes for that matter, we avoid them. We don't return phone calls, emails, text, FB messages, tweets, etc. and find ways to make excuses that we were 'too busy.' After all, we might be the only one that is that busy. Before, we would at least give a straight answer. I find irony in this that we avoid returning calls and messages yet our hands will exactly mold into that of holding our iPhones we're on them so much. Avoidance has become a cultural no. No I don't want what your selling, no I don't want to talk to you, no no no.

Today, it can be a challenge to have a real conversation. One that is based on how we're doing, heart level, real life, your world vs whats going on in the latest news story, tweet update. We talk about other people's lives and avoid talking about our own. Its easier that way. Its easier to talk about someone else's mess and pretend I don't have the same exact issues.

Today, we find it challenging to think for ourselves, remember what we learned, draw from our learning experiences. Instead, we google it. Why not though, the internet is right at our finger tips, so why not just get a quick answer. Afterall, discussion might kill the conversation. Oh wait...

Today, we'd rather relive experiencing something than enjoy experiencing something. Its all about the tweetable moment, the perfect instagram, the flip moment for the grand parents, the blog entry title, the status update on Facebook. Why don't we just experience things. I slip on the slope too, but sometimes I just want to be in the moment and not stop for the picture, then filter it, then post, and resume the perfect moment.

As much as I'm a part of this culture like the next guy, I don't want to be. I don't want to avoid real life, fun moments, and hard situations. I want to live! What seems harder is avoiding culture.

Blessings