What's the right term? I "twitted" the elected debate last night gives off a casualness that is unfair. To Twitter. But that's what I did. Instead of tuning in to the radio which aired live coverage, I turned to Twitter and followed the action there.
But the debate is not what I want to write about. Though I will say that though the leaders themseves did not inspire - same old arguments, same old tirade, same old mud-slinging - Twitter, more specifically, the reactions of people on Twitter, did and for the first time in years I found myself feeling hopeful about the state of Canadian politics.
One of the funny things about Twitter is that although I was focused on the debate, other things kept popping up. Like the friend looking for a highland dance outfit for her daughter. Or like the discussion around Jamie Oliver's TV show. And just like at a cocktail party, I found myself participating in one conversation but being aware of numerous others happening around me.
That's not what I want to write about either.
What interested me this morning was another Tweet giving a link to the Jamie Oliver show for all those who had missed it because of the debate.
It made me think. So many of us are busy. We know it, we feel it, we say it. Yes, we sometimes complain about it. And I wonder if we aren't all part of the problem. If our technology, rather than saving us time, actually enables us to get busier.
Last night for example, people had the choice between watching the election debate and watching Jamie Oliver. You make a decision, and maybe you make the wrong one. The point is that during that hour long slot of time you pick one thing. But with the internet and innovative TV scheduling, we no longer have to pick one. And so we can watch Jamie Oliver this morning. On our own schedule. Good news, right?
Hang on, but that means another choice that has to be made (and hopefully it's not nutritious breakfast or Jamie Oliver because that would be deliciously ironic) .
I'm not being particularly articulate, but I am in a rush to get off to class. What I think I am trying to say that if we see events as things we can manipulate, push around, watch, do, or participate in at our own convenience,we are at risk of trying to fit too many things into our lives. If we didn't have the option to watch Jamie Oliver another time, we would have a whole extra hour today. Instead, we are trying to borrow time from the future to get everything done.
It's like a line of credit that you just can't ever pay back.
3 comments:
That's exactly what it is! I love having our DVR because I can watch tv when I want, and not be ruled by the tv schedule. But I often think, if it weren't for the dvr, would I even be watching this tv show? Or would I be spending my time more fruitfully, writing, reading a good book, calling a friend. I'm not slamming technology, because I swear Facebook helped me hang onto sanity through our move this past year. But I do wonder if we let our techno-gadgets rule our worlds sometimes, when we think they are making our lives more efficient. Definitely food for thought!
That is an excellent point, Denise. We are, in essence, continually borrowing time that we never get back. There's always another day, always another hour. Kind of like an obsessive gambler, we want it all. We'll push aside other important things to squeeze in time for things we should have missed. When does it all catch up?
Most of the time, I eschew television. I certainly eschew it live. I watch on my own time, when I have time -- likely while I'm eating or cleaning. And then I try to squeeze other things into my busy schedule instead. Fortunately, it's my "relaxing" time that suffers. Or, maybe unfortunately, since I certainly have a problem with stress. But some days... I just want more time!
Great post, Denise.
I find that I am trying to fit so many things into my day that I am spread way too thin, and then I don't end up doing any of them particularly well. And I really like the way you have written this - very articulate, as always!
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