This past weekend, I had some fun. But, I had fun in different ways than I thought I would when I was much younger.
When I was in grade school, I didn’t think to myself, “I can’t wait to grow up and have my own digital camera so that when I go for a ride in my Jeep in the snow I can take a video and post it to YouTube and then post that on my blog.” I didn’t think to myself, “I want to go to a movie tonight and I’m hungry. I also want to go through my email before the movie. Hey, I can go to dinner and also read through my email on my phone while I wait.”
My life has changed, compared to anything I thought it would be. Now, I deal with information in different ways than I thought I would, even just a couple years ago. I think this trend will continue for many years into the future. I don’t really think it is a trend. I think it simply is progress.
These questions below are all questions and comments that I think about and deal with, every day. I may deal with them in a totally conscious way, or I may deal with them in subtle or subconscious ways. I may also let my reactions drive my emotions and my likes or dislikes. Other times, I may switch that around and let my feelings or emotions drive. Regardless of how or when it’s done, the info around me has an impact on my life and on my perceptions.
What does mainstream mean?
How do you absorb info? Do you check facts? How persuaded are you, because you like the source? What happens when you disagree? You have a voice. How do you use it, or hide it, or converse?
What does conversation mean?
Are you a willing participant in the conversations around you? Do you even know some of the conversations are happening? Are you concerned about what people will think of you and how they might think less of you? Get over it. How do you deal with your internal dialogue, if you don’t have external conversations? Are you transparent?
What does transparency mean?
When you learn about something, do you like to know that it is accurate? What do you feel like if you find out it was inaccurate? How do you know that your absorption of info is based on real info and not based on other people’s opinions of info?
Mainstream is not mainstream any more.
Much like a lot of churches have progressed to have “traditional” services and “contemporary” services, and how they may do this with different approaches, media and information has similarly transitioned from what used to be called “mainstream” to what is now better described as “traditional” and even “conservative” at times.
Books, TV, Movies, Email, RSS, Vlogs, Downloads, Streaming Information… It’s all changing and evolving and progressing. How we deal with that really depends on an individuals history and perceptions and his or her ability and desire to deal with new things and to try new ideas. We all have different tolerances and desires.
How do you deal with all of this?
Please feel free to leave your opinions in the comments or start a discussion and a conversation. I hope some of these ramblings have been provocative for you. I think we all need to be stirred up sometimes. I happen to like that a bit more than most.
I’m listening.
Filed under: Blogging, Ideas, Inspire, Listening, Perspective, Writing
