I found this book a really great read. Richard Kyte has really hit a home run in talking about the issue that people are having today. He touches on why he thinks we have more people who are angry, depressed and feeling isolated.
He touches on the issues that while we have become more comfortable and we have become more technologically savvy we are losing the mechanisms that keep us more centered.
Whether it is driving cars, or talking to other people we have become isolated to the point that you don’t even have to have face to face interactions while shopping for food or other necessities.
In the good old days people had to walk past their neighbors and see them and talk to them. Each block was a community where everyone knew each other, knew what issues they had and what their needs were.
They practiced interacting with other people on a daily basis. My grandparents had a corner store where if you needed something you could walk down three houses and pick up what you needed.
It was a place where the Children could hang out and buy penny candy. Apartment buildings, homes and stores were all intermingled, and communities developed around churches, meeting places like Elk Clubs, Firehalls and even work.
Children did not get out of hand because everyone knew their parents. You could walk everywhere you needed to go. Slowly we have designed our cities to make them more efficient but at the same time this has had the effect of making us more isolated.
Stores are now cluster in big malls or shopping centers. Homes are built in isolated communities that are only accessible by car. Manufacturing businesses and offices are now hidden in office parks only accessible by car.
Our technology has only exacerbated the problem. If you want to talk to somebody you only have to pick up the phone not physically walk over to their house. With the Children it is even worse.
We have corrupted the language trying to convince people that you can have 400 or 500 friends on line. I think of a friend as someone who I talk to, visit, know their likes and dislikes and enjoy being around them.
Is one of those 400 “Friend” going to comfort you when you feel like crying? I don’t think so. My next Blog will talk about the solutions that Richard is proposing.
I will see you all again on Thursday.
If you have struggled with this question and others then go to Patterson2Y2R,com/blog should be a place you should visit to share your stories and challenges.
I have an ear that would love to hear your stories. Let’s taste the real meaning of life. I am still working on my course with the goal of launching a starter course, and I will keep you abreast as to how the process goes.
If you want to participate in this process and join my first class please send me an email to bobchuckpatterson@yahoo.com
Comments