Monday 11 July 2011 - Flesh form

I wonder how much computers are changing the way humans interact?

We do so much on the net these days that it's possible to live your entire life behind the PC, never bothering to leave your home and saving a fortune on deodorant.

A man from Canada can now marry a woman from Beijing, because they met on the net. Something that would never have happened otherwise! What a way to mix genetics! (Our ancestors would probably frown and mumble, "Yer cousin Betsy woulda made a fine woman vir ye, she's got em birthing hips...")

Even "everyday" dating is different. Long ago, back in the dark ages, aka pre-internet, you met up with your sweetie on your date, had a great time, watched a movie, snogged a bit, wondered to yourself if this could lead to a white picket fence and two kids scenario, got dropped off at home and then days or weeks could go by without seeing them again, where you anxiously watch the telephone and wonder, Why don't they phone me, when they're home wondering the same thing! This was the norm!

But now you go home and pretty much pick up your conversations where you left off. Instant messaging, webcams and social sites all mean you don't have to wait a nano second more and if s/he doesn't message you within 15 minutes of the date then you're just, like, so doomed doll!!

Which is kind of ironic then that depression and loneliness are also two statistics that are rising. You chat with your cyber friends 24/7 but then still go to bed feeling somewhat unsatisfied.

The fact is we're genetically hardwired to enjoy the actual living, breathing, sometimes rather funky smelling, physical closeness of other human beings! Even greasy haired emos who are Eternally Suffering, want at least a few living breathing members of society to witness their their battle and eventual decent into darkness! (Mostly because candle light is not very illuminating).

I suspect that's basically even a serial killers modus operandi, a sort of very twisted way of saying, "Hey everyone, look at me! look at me! Aren't I clever? Aren't I worth being noticed?"

We're getting more and more cloistered behind our monitors. Meeting people in real life is becoming less of an option and more of a bother. There's a certain safety in being behind a screen that being face to face strips away. It's easier to take a digital rejection then a flesh and blood one. It hurts less and you can just put an ad up for a new friend, lol etc.

But a computer is a pretty lame friend to do things with, even so. (Mind they are getting smaller and smaller and more high tech, it's probably just a matter of time before they can interact more and then who knows, snog you back and promise to love you above all other organic tissues?)

And it's highly unlikely that society will just one day heave a mass shrug and go, "Meh, computers were fun but I'm bored now, lets play frisbee!" Technology is here to stay, regardless of what the Amish, and that cult down the road, are secretly hoping.

So don't forget your friends!!!
Remember to take time out to be with the living! Friendship can take a lot of strain but there are breaking points as well! And I bet you anything that a day in the company of good chums, laughing, breathing and burping, will give you a high that a whole week on skype or gtalk has yet to be able to reproduce!

Look! Sunshine! Go outside already!!!