In this plugged in world, those of us who are riding the wave of technology (not to be so arrogant as to think everyone in the free world is) are hopelessly immersed with bytes of knowledge, viral forms of expression ranging from blogs to videos to the news reporting itself by anyone with a cellphone.
A recent addition to the Millenial generation's ever growing flow of technology now have a new character depicting our future --WALL-E. However, WALL-E sends me back to the 80's to a movie with another beloved robot chararcter with his binoculars doe eyes. Short Circuit.
With some eery foreshadowing - Short Circuit - is the forefather to WALL-E. However, our Robot Hero in Short Circuit is more like us with his never ending thirst for information summed up by his catch phrase, "Need More Input!"
I find that I am never too far away from that input as I spend a supposed relaxing summer Sunday at home. I begin with an age old tradition of reading a newspaper but quickly follow it with updating my status on Facebook, transferring songs to my iPod and updating my budget on my Excel spreadsheet and of course, writing on my blog.
I can't help but compare myself to our friend in Short Circuit who discovers that knowledge is there for the taking as billions of pieces of data are beckoning me as they sit unread on my kitchen counter only a click away. As if that isn't enough, the data can be forwarded and answered from my cell phone just in case I'm not close to my computer and God forbid, I might miss an update!
So, with earbuds on, blog updated, television blarring and cell phone close by...I will have to say that I am having a Short Circuit Sunday and for the most part, I like it! There is probably a deeper reason for that happiness. Due to my fervert desire to connect with others, the technology provides that opportunity on a day that is usually meant for renewal and reflection.
Oddly enough, I am doing just that in a co-dependent kind of way. You see, it allows me to stop the incessant running of my life, the chasing of the almighty dollar to survive, the chores so the wheels of my home keep turning for a few hours. I am able to technology to catch up with my life. I actually get to choose the input instead of it choosing me.
Even though they are really cute, I have no idea where the robots will fit into this equation in the next several years or decades. For me, they serve as a reminder that technology can serve us if we use it wisely and don't fall into the trap of connecting with technology alone but rather use it as a conduit of connection.
So, for today, I am thankful for my Short Circuit Sunday but just to prove that short-circuiting can make everything go awry; it has been several hours that I've been on the computer and the only way I know there's a problem is through my butt! It is telling me it's time to take a break and connect in another way. Time to go and get out in the sun so I don't turn into a drone and experience the day in some kind of physical form as well.
