A BOOK CALLED FACE.

Are we all becoming a legion of social networking followers that have been seduced by the promise of constant feedback on our every thought and action on a daily basis? In our quest to connect through wires, keyboards and screens I wonder if we are losing some of the opportunities for face to face interaction and old fashioned togetherness. The temptation to neglect physical interactions may take over for some, owing to a lack of necessity, if too much time is spent Internet sharing what was once saved for our get together conversations. So many of us over share to the point that when we do meet up there is little left to tell and what is left to say when all has been said. It becomes just a rehash of the news that was reported in an update an hour before we meet. And though it does give us a thrill that the other already knows about our news, it is like constantly feeding information into our own personal gossip rag while totally disregarding the virtues that come from keeping a little bit of mystery.

After a few years of passionate input and over sharing, I have found myself avoiding this medium in favour of internalized reflection. Maybe like others who I have heard are curbing these activities, my online presence is evolving. It is easy see how one can be seduced into the desire to over share when receiving the almost instant gratification of being noticed, liked and loved. I think back to words I have written and the words of others I have read and it becomes clear that some of our statements are deliberately reaction based. A rush of satisfaction that someone somewhere at any given time liked or commented on something we felt was in need of notice. It is indeed obvious that some are more addicted to this feedback than others. Everyone wants to be understood and we all have a yearning to belong to a group that shares our hopes and dreams while sharing togetherness.

We hear of the rules recommended with this sort of online interaction and some of us adhere to them and follow. I engaged in this world with a healthy dose of caution at first, but in time the waters felt safer. I dared to swim with little regard for the sharks that bite with lexicon and found that some of the followers were not really friends and are just there to feed off your story. It is indeed a dangerous endeavour to make public what in any other age would have been left unsaid unless in the audience of family and confidante close friends. In any arena it is wise to remember the pitfalls that can come from not guarding our private cards and keeping them close to the chest. Because honesty is good but not always your friend and though it can be fun, it is wise to remember that life online is also based on the game.


Copyright © Robyn Whittaker. 2012.

08.08.08 Very special day in history.

Today is as i heard from Friend that i know i can rely on as a reliable source, the luckiest day in this century and what ever you wish for will come true. I would say that you would have to keep your focus on that goal wish and remember the feelings you had today, and let them exist in a special region of your brain to be stimulated when ever you think of it. Keep yourself on the ball and remember that you are the end result of your thoughts and dreams, the dreams you wish to make real, and they will come true if you believe in them. At this time in history i am watching the opening ceremony of the Olympic games, and though i know that some have their political differences against this country, i feel we must try to see this symbolism from a global scale. It is if seen as a positive, an opportunity for change even for the issue fronts that are out of alignment for those in the opposition. The spot light on this country hosting this event will in some way i believe create an opportunity for change, brought on by the need to be the best on show and may stimulate minds to produce in future the changes that are needed. This always encourages humans to be the best they can be and in the process helps us to be better than we were. I feel it is a conscious and subconscious raising of the bar, that will eventually bring the globe slowly but surely to a future the protestants against this regime wish for us. Tibet will take it's rightful place in time, and all will eventually right itself, and Tibet will realize and own fully the dream of autonomy. I agree with some of these opposing views, and do understand that some may see this as pie in the sky wishful thinking without any proactive substance. This is my point of view and i am entitled to it. I would rather lean towards the positive and encourage minds to focus on what we do want and not what we don't want, because invariably whether you believe it or not when you focus on the negative things you are not happy with or don't want, you tend to draw more of this negative energy to you and the situation. I will say that this opening event is truly incredible and magical and i will never regret turning on and locking in to the wonder that is the human race. It was so futuristic and surreal and took me to a place that i enjoyed going in my mind, and brought me much hope that we can come together for the pursuit of excellence and encourage peace. Good or bad we will one day be as one and all barriers will fade into insignificance. It may not happen in my lifetime, but it will happen one day, and if we believe it will, it indeed will. Today i connected with Gus on a level that i won't forget, and that is between him and i, and i thank him for being the person he is and for being a part of my life. Tonight is a historical moment for me, I had a fantastic day and only realised it was that magic day around 5pm. I suddenly came to realise why i was so charged up and why certain experiences that took place during the day had happened. I am convinced it is also special for all those who believe that we can prevail and survive our long drawn out adversities against each other. I am sure that the magic that is being produced by the ancient spirits conjured by this date, will be a momentous hope and will propel the people of this little blue island to heal the wounds that we have inflicted on this planet we call earth. Thank you to my close friends and family for being a part of this wondrous date in time and history, and for being a part of my life. I am most grate full for the treasures that i have been given by knowing them, and for us sharing and being in the here and now. The best part for me is that major parts of this event were so focused on the art of writing and calligraphy, created by the earthling hand to express this beautifully fluid and evolving human condition called life. This date in history is an echo to the ancients and the futures to come and they will hear this echo for all time memoriam. xxx Banksy.

Copyright (c) Robyn Whittaker 2008.