We Are In Charge Of Our Destiny

I know young people probably cringe each time they hear, "back in the day", or "when I was young"... At least they cringe until it is they who are reminiscing about days gone by.

One thing that has changed with each generation is time. As the years pass, we work to squeeze everything we can into each second, minute and hour of every day. Until, it resembles packing a suitcase where one might have to sit on it to squeeze in that last item of clothing.

We have jammed so much into our day we are finding we have less and less time for that which should be most important - our families, our communities, ourselves. 

So, "back in the day" wasn't really so bad was it? I mean it was busy, but not so busy there wasn't time to check in on our loved ones. To go have a cup of coffee or a Coke with those we care about. Or, just pick up the phone and have a nice, "connecting" conversation.

And what has helped to make us a society of
time overload"?

Technology.

Technology is great - when it works and when it isn't "over used
in place of human connections. We have become a society of  "need it now" as evidenced by the multitude of fast food establishments, use of cellphones, automatic withdrawals and deposits, purchasing items online to be delivered overnight.

It's hurry up. Hurry up. Fast lane is open.

But what if the fast lane gets backed up and everything comes to a sharp halt?  What if the fast lane adversely affects our health, our relationships and more?

Are we really better off?

There is a saying, "too much of a good thing is too much."  Why don't we see that "too much" is also not a good thing when it comes to technology?

Now, we have AI (artificial intelligence). How long before it replaces us all? In theory, AI is great. But, if it is not monitored and utilized carefully it could, and has, caused problems.

Now (at least we should) take more care in what we do or do not believe in. Just because there is a photo or video of something does not mean it is legitimate. Those who love politico bashing are loving that, I'm sure. It gives them even more ammunition to smear a politician they don't like.

Another issue with AI is it has begun replacing actual human beings in jobs.

Think about just those two issues? Do you see a problem there? Can you imagine the chaos possibilities?

Maybe it's time to take a breath and step back. Take a good hard look at what technology we should be using. Technology that we should use sparingly. And even technology that we should stay as far away from as we can.

Automated phone service is one of my pet peeves. When I call a business, I want to speak to a "real person", not a recording that asks me to repeat myself several times because it doesn't understand what I am calling in reference to.

Computers - I love them and I hate them. When they work, they are great. But when they are acting up - oh mylanta! I have been tempted more than once to throw one out the nearest window.

Cars - there are more gadgets on the newer cars than you know what to do with. And when the electronics fail it's not an easy fix as it might have been in days gone past.

The problem really isn't the technology itself. The problem lies in us. Technology is only a problem if we rely on it too much. If we partake of it too much. Unfortunately it is in human nature more times than not to go too far. To over use. To over indulge.

We, as the saying goes, are in charge of our own destinies. It is up to each individual how much we allow something to take over our lives. We are in control - we just have to steer in the right direction. Of course, there are times when we need to let Jesus take the wheel instead.