BY DOVE
My grandmother made the lightest, fluffiest biscuits in the world on an old woodstove. She had no refrigerator and used a north window with a screen and some shelves for cooling. The bacon grease from the cooked bacon the day before went into the biscuits and the result was amazing. Fresh butter that was just churned and honey was slathered on top. This truly was a heavenly treat. We had no idea that this was poverty as they only had four electric lights and no running water. We felt blessed with the wonderful food provided. Nothing was ever wasted and a compost pile fertilized the garden for the next year. Things were simpler then.
Now, in order to RSVP to a wedding invitation, I have to respond to a QR code with my cellphone. I did not know that I had to open the website rather than continue to give my response. They wanted my credit card. I figured out I was to go to the website to answer all the pertinent questions. Finally, I completed the task.
Truthfully, I think I would rather pick up the phone and talk to a real person to give my response. We have created an environment in which we can avoid any real connection with other humanity. Our freedoms are being turned over to A.I. so rapidly I can’t keep up with the changes. You can’t go to a concert without having your ticket on your phone and half the time the peoples’ phones scanning your phone for your tickets don’t work.
I wonder why we have gone down this path of everything electronic. We eliminate the true meaning of life when we give up our social in-person connections. A.I. does not give hugs or cry with you. A.I. does not laugh with you or share your heart space, but sometimes it can help with organization speed. There is no human emotion with my cellphone, but I do like the camera and the ability to take pictures.
Somehow a balance needs to exist between electronics and life. The news talks about 15-minute cities, which will completely control what you buy and where you go. You are allowed one 1500-mile airplane trip every three years in a 15-minute city. That is not freedom. That is just a jail by a different name controlled by the digital world.
Maybe we could get back to a little of the personal reality of homemade biscuits with honey, and eggs from your own chickens. Let’s find a balance between automation and true connection with all living things.
Happy Labor Day. May Source grant you a day for freedom to be you. Blessings, Dove