Many computer geeks have been aware of the fact that interacting with computers is more valuable to them than interacting with other people. The Register, not normally known for moralising on subjects other than stupidity in the computer biz, has printed this story about a school principal who has banned iPods in her school. The piece continues on the difficulties that society faces when we’re all immersed in our own worlds, iPodded to distraction, not interacting with other people at all. Very thoughtful, and I fear, about half right. The other half is that the world is so unfortunate and awful nowadays that people take refuge in their own iPod world in order to ensure that they stay well clear of the “real world”, whatever that is.
On Good Friday, as those of us who do such things ponder on life, death, and our relationship with each of those facts, perhaps taking off the iPod for a future Lenten discipline might be a good way of reconnecting with other people and exploring life as a society, and not as individuals alone.
(PS: I myself don’t own one, but as a commuter [when I am working] there are other means of shutting out other people when you’re in with a bunch of them, and they can be just as bad as wearing an iPod. So for those of us who don’t have one, I propose thinking about those other means instead.)
Please tell me you meant “refuge,” not “refuse”! <grin>
Far from being a draconian adminstrator, she’s simply encouraging her pupils to get laid….
Ah, my favorite line in that article!
Yes I did, thanks. Now edited.