We are so obsessed with doing that we have no time and no imagination left for being. As a result, men are valued not for what they are but for what they do or what they have – for their usefulness.

Thomas Merton

 

While it is a known fact that there is a direct correlation between ageing and the speed of time I am astounded by the speed which it is passing me.  Of course it is all an illusion; sixty seconds now takes the same time sixty seconds took 500 years ago.  What has changed is the dissemination of information.  We are smothered with information instantly everyday.  Many see that as a great thing but I have come to recognize the curse within the so called blessing.  There is no turning off the deluge of information except through a possible EMP detonation which is always a threat but until that point we are saddled with our technology.  If and when that scenario occurs the silence that follows will drive many to madness.

There are two major downsides that I see with todays instant information based society.  The first is enabling government and corporations to micro-manage everything.   It gives the false impression that the “human element” or what is otherwise known as erroneous decisions is diminished because those in authority know better and therefore make less mistakes.  Managers do not make decisions without being consulted by their “superiors” and over time the ability to make good decisions is lost.  That follows right down the line of employees.  Independent thought is buried along with the self satisfaction that comes with it.  Government is all about power.  The small minded politicians and bureaucrats thrive on the power to bully and intimidate.  That is what they do and they do it well and instant, continuous information feeds their cravings and also allows for the manipulation of the citizenry.

The second downside is much worse.  We have no downtime.  Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s I was often irritated that on Sundays I could not go to the store or partake in other activities that were available during the week.  The wisdom of a day of rest, granted to us by God, was lost to me.  The quiet stillness of a Sunday afternoon which irked me is something that I yearn for now.  It is said that with age comes wisdom.  It is also said that with wisdom comes sorrow.  How true that is.  Can we ever get that tranquility back in our society?  I doubt it very much, it is darn near impossible to put the genie back into the bottle, so the memory of a quiet day untainted by the crush of humanity is simply fading away as our generation fades away.