Being Present in the Information Age
Last week, I spent a day at what is arguably one of the most amazing beaches in the world. Cuan went surfing whilst I sat on the warm sand and watched the waves rhythmically swell and burst into parallel ribbons of bright white foam. The sky was a vibrant shade of blue, and the only person in my line of sight was my husband, who was but a small, buoyant dot amidst the beautiful chaos of the ocean. It was pretty much the perfect moment. Or at least, it would’ve been, if it weren’t for the fact that I kept thinking, “I need to take a photo”, and then remembering that I’d left my phone in the car. I even caught myself trying to reduce the moment to a snappy Facebook caption that would accompany the picture that I kept feeling the nagging urge to take.
I walked to the water and let it lap around my ankles. As I stared out at the vastness before me, I felt somewhat disappointed in myself. I’d been so concerned with preserving and showcasing the moment that I had, to some degree, failed to experience it. I wasn’t truly there – I was in some parallel, digital universe made up of pixels and hashtags and “like” buttons. I was in the matrix, which feels looks and feels authentic, but in reality is just a bunch of meaningless ones and zeros.
Don’t get me wrong – I love technology. It enables me to communicate with my family (who live 6500 miles away). It provides me with a creative outlet. It gives me access to more information than I could ever hope to learn. But despite all that, I can’t help but question the extent to which technology truly enhances our human experience. I’ll admit that I wouldn’t be very happy at the thought of giving up my iPhone, laptop and Internet access. But is that because these things actually benefit my life in a true and meaningful way, or is it just because I’m an addict?
I don’t want to view the world through camera lenses and Instagram filters. I don’t want to live as though today is already yesterday. I don’t want to be so concerned with how I’ll experience this moment tomorrow that I fail to experience it now. Tomorrow will bring moments of its own.
I did eventually take some pictures (photography does has some soul-soothing benefits, after all), but not before taking a considerable amount of time to just be. There’s something incredibly freeing about basking in the beauty of your surroundings with no further agenda. I’m going to try and make it a habit.
Word-Loving Wednesday: Opine
On Wednesdays, I show some love to relatively unknown, underused or under-appreciated words. This week’s word is:
Opine
(Verb)
Definition: To hold and state as one’s opinion.
Example: “This book is fantastic,” she opined.
Pronunciation: oh-pine
I can honestly say that I don’t ever recall hearing this word used in a real-life verbal exchange. Perhaps I’ve simple never noticed its existence in conversational English, or perhaps it’s just not a very fashionable word. Strange really, considering the word “opinion” is thrown around multiple times a day by most people. I think “opine” is a great word that deserves more than a life relegated to novels and broadsheet articles. Let’s reinstate it to its rightful place in regular conversation!
Will you join me in attempting to use the word “opine” in conversation at least once this week? Be sure to report back here regarding the context in which you used it! And if you’d like to nominate a word for Word-Loving Wednesday, simply post it in the comments section below!
Photo courtesy of Trevor on Flickr.
My Week in Pictures: One Wedding and a Loaf of Bread
A Lesson in Opening Lines, Courtesy of John Mayer
The opening line is debatably the most important line in any song. If well-written, it will engage listeners from the song’s outset and make them emotionally vested in the story. If badly written, it can cause people to switch off (literally and figuratively) and become completely disconnected from you as the storyteller.
I love John Mayer’s songs – they’ve always had the ability to hook me from the beginning and keep me interested in what he has to say till the very last line. Allow me to demonstrate, via ten of his songs, how a well-crafted opening line can grab your attention and initiate a kind of imaginary dialogue between the storyteller and the listener:
1. I’m not alone – I wish I was. (Something’s Missing)
You wish you were alone? Why, John? Why would anyone wish they were alone? Please explain your predicament to me!
2. I was born in the arms of imaginary friends. (Half of my Heart)
Amazing imagery, John! I need to listen to the rest of the song in order to try and understand what it represents in your (real) life.
3. Gravity is working against me. (Gravity)
Me too, John. Let’s have an in depth discussion about our existential crises. You go first.
4. Lightening strikes inside my chest to keep me up at night. (Heartbreak Warfare)
Wow. Pretty sure I felt that lightening too.
5. Too many shadows in my room, too many hours in this midnight. (In Repair)
Tell me more, John. What’s haunting you?
6. Just when I had you off my head, your voice comes thrashing wildly through my quiet bed. (All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye)
That sucks for you, John! Who is this woman you’re singing about, and what are you going to do about her voice’s impromptu nighttime visits?
7. Check your pulse, it’s proof that you’re not listening to the call your life has been issuing you. (Great Indoors)
You’re right – I’m really not living up to my potential. What else can you tell me about myself that I was having trouble understanding?
8. I’m so alive, I’m so enlightened. (New Deep)
Dude, what’s your secret?
9. I work in the dead of night, when the roads are quiet and no one is around to track my moves. (Assassin)
Sounds pretty clandestine (which definitely makes me want to know more). What exactly does this “work” entail?
10. I don’t think I’m gonna go to LA anymore. (In Your Atmosphere)
That’s a very bold statement. Why not? What have you got against the LA?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aojTGWAqUIQ
Obviously, I’m attempting to put into words something that happens on a completely subconscious level, in order to make a point. The point being that an opening line is important, and can be the difference between a great song that people want to listen to till the very end, and an average song that loses people’s attention before the first chorus.
What are some of your favourite opening lines? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Photo courtesy of Alejandro De La Cruz on Flickr.