Oh man is a giddy thing, oh man is a giddy thing, oh man is a giddy thing, oh man is a giddy thing
Excitable and prone to share excitement with others, adults are like children at times (most of the time if you're lucky). Sometimes I think children are better at giddiness because it is so genuine, coming straight from their soul. It is not carefully thought out, not tempered with the diffident attitude that adults garner through years of socialization and adjustment. A child's giddiness is pure and unadulterated, infectious to the point where an adult will simply marvel at and envy the child for their innocence and joy.
Regular facebook addicts and web junkies manifest their addictions in many ways: sharing funny or tragic videos or pictures from an unknown source of a person or people they will never meet; sharing insightful or interesting articles that they stumbled upon which seemed to be written well enough to convince them of the author's logical or untenable point of view (I've certainly done this). Internet users want to make personal connection and share their point of view, I get it. However, if the sharing of an article is of a subject matter that the reader knows little about in the first place, is it truly making a connection? Are we really sharing articles because we want to make a point about something that we really know nothing about? Why?
For instance, a recent article that was shared by numerous FB friends on my endless stream of updates is Preschool Children should not be in school at such an early age?
While the article, from a website that was started by Ariana Huffington and a bunch of other greedy "news" writers with the simple goal of acquiring hits... er, I mean writing alternative news. Huffington Post itself is actually being sued by a bunch of bloggers who have spent countless hours and work to garner hits and spread information for the website but who did not receive any compensation for their efforts. Any. Meanwhile, the founders of the website were bought out by AOL and received more than $300 million Yes, it's a Wikipedia source but it's legit...
Anyway, this particular article linked to the original article from Scientific American in which a guy was quoted as saying that all research on young minds points to not having structure and allowing the kids to play and have fun, etc. While I may agree that children should definitely do more play and not as much rote learning tasks, no person who is supposedly espousing truth about scientific research should say "all research supports this thing I'm talking about", especially when that particular subject has decades of research. There is nothing in any scientific field which has 100% of the research backing a claim. We have scientific facts which can be indisputable but, especially when dealing with human behavior which is infinitely complex, we can not say for certainty that anything is backed by all of the research.
Giddiness in this case is on the part of people reading an article and upon finding that article to be supporting whatever they are feeling in the moment and then sharing it with other users to show that this is what they believe. We are awash with articles, videos, pictures of people. We are simply click-happy. Yes, click-happy. User's thoughts while clicking: "That is really true. I totally need to post this because other people will then see how I believe and they will know me better." - or - "I want to start a conversation about this subject, even though I really don't know much more about it than this one article but that's all I need to form an opinion on this very complicated subject."
We, the internet users and addicts, just want to click. I've read somewhere Not at all what I read that said when we use the computer, it makes us feel like we are doing work. We can sit at the computer and feel useful, as if time spent on the computer and reading articles, clicking buttons, and typing some words has a utilitarian purpose. The computer is our tool to a greater self, we think. We may not consciously think that but we feel it; the part of our brains that needs purpose (or something like that) will feel better by sitting on the computer. Finding articles that are intellectual and 'scientific' helps to accomplish that.
So, continue to read the articles and watch the funny videos, I will. However, if you are not spending an equal amount of time elsewhere on something actually meaningful, what are you doing?
By the way, the lyrics at the beginning are from Sigh No More and it is worth a listen. The meaning of the song is about relationships, etc. and it may tie in with this particular blog entry... but probably not.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Monday, April 12, 2010
Redemption at Happy Joe's
While enjoying the smorgasbord at my local Happy Joe's this past Sunday, after attending Church, I took a few moments to look around at the lovely interior of this small, family-friendly chain and truly marvel in its tackiness. My eyes happened upon the wall above the ticket exchange: "Happy Joe's - Prizes- Fun - Redemption". My gosh, or should I say my God? Happy Joe's is offering Redemption?
Maybe it wasn't tackiness I was noticing. Maybe this place truly had the aura of grace and comfort, a welcoming presence to families who were too tired to cook, who wanted nothing more than fresh pizza, carbonated sugar water and some good, old-fashioned cheap arcade games their kids could throw mom and dad's hard-earned money away in. Is Happy Joe's where all the precious 25-39 year old families have gone? Is this what the church (yes, all major American Christian churches are noticing a decline in membership from that key demographic - at least, as far as I know) should be doing to draw in its new members? Offer redemption and salvation for the mere cost of some arcade games and fresh, delicious pizza?
Was it just coincidence that my wife and I were talking about this very topic, not even 24 hours earlier on one of our lovely walks through our old, college kid-inhabited neighborhood. Young families are attending church less and less, or at least fewer young families are attending church frequently. Where are they getting their sense of community or spiritual fulfillment? Work, occasional school functions, sports - those are all valid places for community but what about spiritual fulfillment? What about God? Apparently, Happy Joe's is there for you, He's there to ease your stress, put a smile on your face, and fill you up with hot food and cool drinks.
"Movie Theaters are the new church of the masses, where people huddle in the dark, waiting for the people in the light to tell them what it is to be human" - 1930's movie critic. What are we waiting for? I get angry at the notion that redemption and enlightenment can be acquired via a motion picture or a hockey game. However, I'm very guilty of memorizing the names of directors of film and remembering key lines from 8-year old movies that have no relevance to my life. Why do I shy away from the print-rich world of scripture and liturgy; of Bible Studies and meditation; of simply reading the Good Word instead of watching a 1980s movie with Jeff Goldblum metamorphosing into a fly? I'm afraid I am turning into that Happy Joe that Happy Joe's strives for everyone to be. Coming back for fast, rich food; cheap soda; old arcade games; and a washy sense of community where people talk about everything but what really matters to them.
There is something positive in all this, though. At least there is some community, a place where we laugh and share together and break bread together. It shows that people yearn for the feeling of being needed, of being loved and loving others. The building doesn't really matter, Happy Joe's, a church, an old hockey arena; the community of people gathered together is what matters. Now, the only step left to take is to change the subject from family gossip and politics to something a bit more meaningful. At this point, it's all about taking that precious word down from the wall and putting it on the menu, so at least everyone is on the same page.
Maybe it wasn't tackiness I was noticing. Maybe this place truly had the aura of grace and comfort, a welcoming presence to families who were too tired to cook, who wanted nothing more than fresh pizza, carbonated sugar water and some good, old-fashioned cheap arcade games their kids could throw mom and dad's hard-earned money away in. Is Happy Joe's where all the precious 25-39 year old families have gone? Is this what the church (yes, all major American Christian churches are noticing a decline in membership from that key demographic - at least, as far as I know) should be doing to draw in its new members? Offer redemption and salvation for the mere cost of some arcade games and fresh, delicious pizza?
Was it just coincidence that my wife and I were talking about this very topic, not even 24 hours earlier on one of our lovely walks through our old, college kid-inhabited neighborhood. Young families are attending church less and less, or at least fewer young families are attending church frequently. Where are they getting their sense of community or spiritual fulfillment? Work, occasional school functions, sports - those are all valid places for community but what about spiritual fulfillment? What about God? Apparently, Happy Joe's is there for you, He's there to ease your stress, put a smile on your face, and fill you up with hot food and cool drinks.
"Movie Theaters are the new church of the masses, where people huddle in the dark, waiting for the people in the light to tell them what it is to be human" - 1930's movie critic. What are we waiting for? I get angry at the notion that redemption and enlightenment can be acquired via a motion picture or a hockey game. However, I'm very guilty of memorizing the names of directors of film and remembering key lines from 8-year old movies that have no relevance to my life. Why do I shy away from the print-rich world of scripture and liturgy; of Bible Studies and meditation; of simply reading the Good Word instead of watching a 1980s movie with Jeff Goldblum metamorphosing into a fly? I'm afraid I am turning into that Happy Joe that Happy Joe's strives for everyone to be. Coming back for fast, rich food; cheap soda; old arcade games; and a washy sense of community where people talk about everything but what really matters to them.
There is something positive in all this, though. At least there is some community, a place where we laugh and share together and break bread together. It shows that people yearn for the feeling of being needed, of being loved and loving others. The building doesn't really matter, Happy Joe's, a church, an old hockey arena; the community of people gathered together is what matters. Now, the only step left to take is to change the subject from family gossip and politics to something a bit more meaningful. At this point, it's all about taking that precious word down from the wall and putting it on the menu, so at least everyone is on the same page.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
First Time
The Title of the blog intentionally alludes to Pearl Jam back when Pearl Jam was really good. I don't mean to say that they aren't good anymore, I hear their most recent album is actually really good. However, Pearl Jam was really kick-ass cool about 15 years ago, when the lead singer was still full of angst and was somewhat subversive or at least anti-establishment. Now, he is mature, thoughtful, and has perspective. While those qualities do make for a more reasonable human being and musician, they do take away from his pure angst and kick-assedness.
The same may be true for me. Of course, I am younger than Vedder and 15 years ago, I was in to Hootie and the Blowfish and played Tecmo Super Bowl III on the Super Nintendo. However, I can say that, along with Eddie, I too have matured, become more thoughtful and possibly gained some perspective. I was not nearly as cool as Vedder nor have I become cooler. However, my circumstances have allowed me, or maybe even pulled me into the direction, to be where I am right now. My first child was born a little over a year ago; I was married over 4 years ago; and I have actually completed some house projects in the last three years. Have these things made me a Better Man?
The actual song by Pearl Jam has little to do with becoming a better man and has much to do with a woman's doubts as to the man she is with. Does she still love him? No. Then why is she still with him? Can't find a better man. He must be a pretty decent guy, then, just not the one she's looking for. There may be some implication of potential abuse (she dreams in red), but that may be more her longing for passion in her life or something to that effect.
This blog has everything to do with my life and what that entails. It is busy, rich, full of laughter and joy. I get to spend my days with a funny, adorable, wonderful little boy and a beautiful, intelligent, kind woman who give me that richness that I never knew existed. I strive to be a better man but not so I can write about it or feel proud. I am compelled to be a better man because the people in my life make me that way.
The same may be true for me. Of course, I am younger than Vedder and 15 years ago, I was in to Hootie and the Blowfish and played Tecmo Super Bowl III on the Super Nintendo. However, I can say that, along with Eddie, I too have matured, become more thoughtful and possibly gained some perspective. I was not nearly as cool as Vedder nor have I become cooler. However, my circumstances have allowed me, or maybe even pulled me into the direction, to be where I am right now. My first child was born a little over a year ago; I was married over 4 years ago; and I have actually completed some house projects in the last three years. Have these things made me a Better Man?
The actual song by Pearl Jam has little to do with becoming a better man and has much to do with a woman's doubts as to the man she is with. Does she still love him? No. Then why is she still with him? Can't find a better man. He must be a pretty decent guy, then, just not the one she's looking for. There may be some implication of potential abuse (she dreams in red), but that may be more her longing for passion in her life or something to that effect.
This blog has everything to do with my life and what that entails. It is busy, rich, full of laughter and joy. I get to spend my days with a funny, adorable, wonderful little boy and a beautiful, intelligent, kind woman who give me that richness that I never knew existed. I strive to be a better man but not so I can write about it or feel proud. I am compelled to be a better man because the people in my life make me that way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)