Impact of Technology

Sitting at a computer and writing for my two blogs is part of my weekly life. Not a day goes by when I do not have some time using my laptop. I read the daily paper, interact on social media sites, have conversations through email, and do my planning on this piece of technology. If I am not doing these activities on my computer, I am using my smart phone or my tablet to do them. Besides these forms of technology, I have a smart watch which not only tells me the time but also can receive phone calls, give me notifications from social media and email accounts, keep track of my steps, and remind me when I have been sitting too long (among a list of other capabilities). Add my Amazon Echo in my technology list and you can include listening to music, being reminded of calendar items, setting timers, and getting the weather report among skills at my disposal. My point is that technology permeates every aspect of my life, and I would venture a guess that is true for you as well. After all technology is allowing you to read this blog post.

As strange as it may seem, I can easily recall a time when none of this was a part of my life. I grew up and did not even have a microwave in my house. The technology of my youth included a television, a radio, and a CB radio. I was so excited when during my senior year of high school, I was gifted an Atari. (For those too young to know what any of these items are, talk to someone who is at least 50 years old.) In school, we had one computer for the whole school and was actually not even a computer in the building. The mainframe of the computer was located at the Area Education Association office and through telephone lines there was a workstation that had a keyboard and white/green continuous feeding paper. All the communication was typed and printed out on the paper, no monitors. In less than thirty years, all this has drastically changed.

The question that haunts us is, has this change been for the better?

Spend some time on Google (made possible through technology) and you can find articles stating that technology has improved our lives and you can find articles arguing the opposite. In one article on the six ways technology has made our lives easier, one author states:

From accessing massive amounts of information on the internet to simply experiencing an enriched personal lifestyle, technology continues to benefit us day in, day out. It is undoubtedly true that technology is an important part of our daily lives.

James McArthur, Engadet

He goes on to show how communication has improved, advertising is easier, travel has been enhanced, lost items can be located, learning is easier, and handling data is improved. In the article’s conclusion, the author states that life is more flexible due to technology.

Lou Frenzel wrote an article last July which takes the opposite view of technology. While he acknowledges that initially he had viewed the increase of technology as a positive, some very concerning negative impacts have become clear.

Well, there’s growing evidence that some technology is bad for us. Technology has changed us in numerous ways over the last few years, and many of these changes are not so positive.

Lou Frenzel, Electronic Design

The concerns which he lists in the article are distraction, too much screen time, increased anxiety, obsession, loss in the ability to concentrate, contemplate, and reflect, and skill erosion. He does conclude his article by pointing out all the good aspects of technology.

Clearly, an either/or answer does not fit here. There seems to be more of a both/and response. Technology has made life easier in some ways. A lot of positive changes to life have occurred. Yet, we must use caution as well. Safeguards must be in place so that technology does not destroy the life which it was created to enhance.

How has technology changed in your lifetime? What impact does technology have on you today? Where do you think technology may go in the future? Do you have safeguards in place to mediate the potential issues which technology presents?  

A Trip to the Past

This past weekend was filled with a lot of new experiences. I have decided that Mondays are going to be the days when I share about our travel and new experiences. Since I have already blogged about my love of travel and our ongoing experiences in our new location, you should not be surprised that I want to share these with you. Who knows, maybe you will decide you would like to also go on an adventure and discover some new places we are checking out on the weekends.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival

Saturday we chose to travel about an hour from our home to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival. We first became aware of the event when we attended the Irish Festival in March. There was a booth at the Irish Festival which had information about the Renaisance Festival. My husband and I agreed that this was something we definitely needed to check out. So we left home early afternoon (after having mowed and done some lawn work) and headed to Waxahachie, TX. Waxhachie is located on the southern-most end of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Our trip was eventful the closer  we got to the festival because of road construction. We had the pleasure of exploring a country road which was extremely narrow and was much in need of some maintenance work. When we were within a mile of the festival entrance, traffic ground to a halt. We spent the next fifteen minutes slowly advancing toward our desired destination. Next year we will approach from the north and east versus the south and west as we did this year. (FYI -Sometimes Waze does not know the best route.)

Upon arrival, we found a good parking location in the grassy lots which are provided. The parking attendants do a fairly good job of directing you to the right place. After parking the car, now time to hike to the festival entrance. This festival is well-established and has a permanent location. Permanent buildings at the entrance and throughout the festival grounds have been constructed. We had purchased our tickets online which saved us time because we did not have to stand in the line to buy tickets. After scanning our tickets, we were allowed access to the festival grounds and the wonderful experience of the event.

Neither my husband nor myself had been to this festival. In fact, I had never been to a Renaissance festival or fair at all. Almost at once it became clear that many others had been attenders in the past since they had full costumes which they wore in all their finery. The festival is located on 35 acres. The festival’s website gives this description:

Scarborough Renaissance Festival is interactive fun for everyone, 16th Century Style. Enjoy full combat armored jousts, Birds of Prey exhibitions, the Mermaid Lagoon and Renaissance entertainment on 27 stages. Discover exquisite crafts in 200 village shoppes and marvel at the artisan demonstrations. Partake in Renaissance rides and games of skill and feast on food & drink fit for royalty. For the more discerning tastes there are daily wine and beer tastings as well. Plus, every weekend has a different theme and a variety of special events.

Festival website

We spent four hours walking throughout the festival. We started our journey by listening to a female singing group, Queen Anne’s Lace, on a small stage near the entrance. Then our walk took us past shops and to another stage where a show, Birds of Prey, was taking place. It was truly fascinating watching the fowler and his assistants handle hawks and eagles. The next stop along the path was Terra Mythica Castle, an opportunity to walk through a small structure which told the story of three sisters who had a rough life leading them to an evil side. These women now practice a dark magic within the castle from which they were once cast away. After such a dark experience, we decided to experience laughter and frivolity at the Fortune Stage where Don Juan and Miguel engage in a comedic battle which also highlights some great whipping skills. All this took place in the first ninety minutes of our adventure.

After seeing some shows and hearing some stories, we decided that the time had come to continue discovering what the festival had to offer. We also had decided that we were both thirsty and needed to find a refreshing beverage. Our journey continued as we browsed a few of the shoppes and explored what options for a cool drink might be available. Along our way we had to stop and listen to the insultor at the booth where people could buy a chance to throw tomatoes at the person casting the insults. Soon we began to realize that we had only covered half the festival grounds and there was a lot more to explore.

We finally settled on some ales to drink and continued to walk around the grounds. Part of the entertainment was watching all the festival goers and seeing them in their period clothing. There were individuals dressed as French royalty with beautiful gowns and detailed coats. Some participants chose to take a pirate theme. Others were dressed as knights and damsels. Fairies and mythical creatures also were walking about. I told my husband that next year I thought we should consider coming as characters even though there were as many people there who were dressed in 21st century clothing like we were as there were those in costume.

Continuing our trek around the grounds gave us opportunity to wander into a variety of vendor shops and to catch some other festivities. We watched as a large group learned how to do a 16th century dance. Various competitions such as king-of-the-log, Jacob’s ladder, and the cannon throw were enjoyable to view. We also stopped to get some fried bread with fruit topping and “ye olde” root beer.

Our day came to a close by attending the joust. The king and queen in all their finery presided over the jousting field. Four knights participated in the joust each mounted on beautiful steeds. The competition was intended to settle the argument over whether chivalry was an outdated practice which should be abandoned or not. Two of the knights stood in favor of the continuation of chivalry and two said chivalry was a waste from the past. So the tournament is intended to settle the issue. The crowd members choose which knight(s) to cheer for and the battle begins. Each knight mounted on his steed at the start and fully dressed in their proper colors take their places. The lance is handed to each and the charge toward each other two at a time. After losing their lance, the battle continues with weapons on the ground. The two chivalrous knights prevail by killing the other two knights. They receive the accolades of the king and queen (and some of the crowd).

The Scarborough Renaissance is a reasonably priced journey back to the 16th century. The shop owners, performers, and festival cast not only entertain but educate by demonstrating their various skills and talking with those who are browsing or watching. The festival runs for eight consecutive weekends in April and May each year. I highly recommend going to this festival if you are in the area or choose to travel to the area for this event.

A Loss

April 15, 2019 – Notre Dame is on Fire

Today I sit in my office and reflect upon the events which transpired twenty-four hours ago on the world stage. A friend alerted me to the fact that Notre Dame was on fire. At first, I thought he was speaking about the famed university located in Indiana. I then Googled Notre Dame and began seeing all the news reports which indicated that it was not the university but instead the cathedral located in Paris. I was overcome with shock and grief. Questions filled my mind. Was it a terrorist attack? Was it intentionally set? Was it an accident of some manner? Answers would begin to come as I monitored reports online more diligently.

We know now that it appears to have been an accidental fire perhaps connected to renovations being done on this tremendous piece of architecture. While the great spire was destroyed and almost all the wood structure including the roof, the main stone bones of the building appear to be intact. Many of the great works of art, the artifacts, and relics appear to have been saved. The two iconic bell towers with their bells are still standing. Donations are pouring in and the government has vowed to rebuild the structure.

The Day After

I have never been to Paris. I have never seen Notre Dame Cathedral. I am not Roman Catholic. These facts are ones that I am sure a large number of you may echo. I would venture a guess that they are also facts which individuals throughout the world who were impacted in some way by yesterday’s fire might also state. Yet Facebook and other social media posts seem to show hundreds, or maybe even millions, of people felt something upon learning the news.

Throughout today, I have been pondering a different question than I did yesterday. Today the question for me is, “Why does the fire at Notre Dame cause people to feel loss and grief?“

The answer I believe may lie in the sense of loss of the familiar. Notre Dame is an architectural icon that almost everyone has seen in pictures or through movies. Maybe the reading of Victor Hugo’s book, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, was a person’s first introduction to the cathedral. For other’s it may be Disney’s interpretation of Hugo’s novel in their animated movie which debuted in 1996. Still, others may have been exposed to this building in their history, art appreciation, or architectural classes. Fortunate individuals who have traveled to Paris probably stopped by Notre Dame since it is one of the most visited tourist stops in all Europe. Like many iconic structures throughout the world, this cathedral has become a part of our shared experience which is easily recognizable.

When a shared experience is destroyed or damaged, it impacts us because the cathedral is part of the known, the familiar. This can be said about other structures, the Twin Towers, the Buddhas of Bamiyan, and the Minaret of the Great Mosque of Aleppo are similar examples. We mourn the loss of history. Our search for reasons and understanding appears to fall empty. We grieve the loss of something which connects us with individuals from other cities, nations, and cultures.

In our grief, we are reminded that nothing last forever. Even those structures we have built, maintained, and protected will eventually be gone. They may succumb to a natural disaster, an accidental action, or a seemingly senseless act of humans. The manner in which they are destroyed does not eliminate the fact that they will be gone at some point. This makes us clearly aware of our own mortality.

Our loss unites us, if even for a brief period. We grieve together. Together we try to find ways to move forward and if possible to rebuild. We know that it will never be quite the same. As humans, we grieve that not only our structures but our very selves will one day no longer be here.

More Than Just an Animal

Last month I read an article in The Atlantic, “What the Crow Knows,” written by Ross Andersen. Andersen provides this introduction to the article:

The idea that animals are conscious, long unpopular in the West, has lately found favor among scientists who study animal cognition. Now even some insects are thought to have interior lives. A journey into the depths of the animal mind.

Ross Anderson

This article resonated with me because I have always been a proponent of the concept that my dog is very conscious and has cognitive abilities which too many people deny.

Over the course of my life, I have had the privilege of sharing my life with eight different dogs. Some of them have been with me their entire lives and others have shared only a part of their life with me. Currently, we have two dogs in our household which adds to a blended household. Each one of these terrific animals have their own personalities, character traits, and influences. I am convinced that each of my dogs thinks and feels in ways similar to myself.

In the last ten years or so, I have noticed that more and more individuals are starting to truly understand their pets as members of their families. There are some who would say that this has gone to an extreme in many cases but I think society might finally be on the right track. Afterall, you can now purchase health insurance for your pet. You can add to your auto insurance a provision which insures your pet as a passenger. There are spas for our pets and kennels are promoting more of a vacation resort concept if you need to board your pet. All of this speaks to a change in understanding that our pets are more than just animals.

While I do not take either of our dogs to a spa or include them on our auto insurance, I do value them as important members of our family. They display emotions. They learn routines and demonstrate expectations. Each bonds to us in very different and specific ways. My dogs can distinguish between individuals and settings.

After reading the article which I mentioned above, I am glad that science is starting to see that my dogs are more than just animals. They are true companions in the full sense and deserve to be treated as such.

Sound Impact

Do you prefer a quiet place or one with some level of noise?

I have discovered that over time my response to that question has become less than simple. When I was younger, it did not matter the level of noise surrounding me at any given point without regard to what I may be doing. This is no longer the case. I have also noticed that the answer to this question is different for almost every person.

If I am reading, I need to have relative quiet. A lot depends upon the material which I may be reading but a general rule of thumb for me is that I comprehend and retain much better if the setting is quiet while I am reading. Part of this also includes the activity which may be around me while I read. I can become distracted from my reading if individuals or vehicles are moving around me.

When I am writing or working on a project which requires me to work with words or data, I also need a quieter setting. Again, it is a concentration issue for me. Finding the right words, analyzing information, or planning are tasks which require me to concentrate. Noise and activity are a hindrance to me in these areas.

Tasks which are repetitive or more physical in nature need a different sound setting for me. I prefer to have music, a television on, or some other set of sounds in the background. Also, I usually desire some level of noise when I am trying to go to sleep. If it is too quiet when I am trying to drift into sleep, my mind tends to engage and all the thoughts make it difficult for me. These are situations where I find noise to be a good thing.

My observations are that the manner in which I respond to noise has changed over time. I wonder about you. Do you prefer quiet settings? If so, what are you doing which makes quiet a better choice for you? Have you noticed your responses changing as you grow older? How do you adapt?

Creating People Stories

One of my favorite pastimes is watching people. I gave a hint to that in my post about traveling. I enjoy sitting in a public place and watching people as they go about whatever may be on their agenda. As I sit and watch them, I often create in my mind stories regarding what they may be up to, what their background may be, or what the dialogue between them might be if they are there with another person. Watching people can give you quite an insight into human behavior.

During a recent period of time when I was engaged in watching people, I was amazed with the different behaviors which I witnessed. I happened to be in a coffee shop at the time. Some people whom I observed were very upbeat. You could tell by the way in which they walked into the establishment. Their gait had a bit of bounce to it. When they arrived at the counter to place their order, they offered a kind greeting to begin their conversation with the employee. They then placed their order with a bit of enthusiasm in the tone of their voice. At the end of the transaction they offered thanks to the employee even before the employee had an opportunity to thank them for their order.

Other individuals who came into the coffee shop seemed to have something weighing them down. Maybe they had, or were having, a bad day at work. It may have been they were dealing with some issues in a relationship. They may have been struggling with some aspects at home. Whatever the cause, they communicated their burdens through their body language. They seemed to walk a little slower. Some of them even seemed to have their shoulders down a bit. Clearly they were being wearied by something.

Another type of person who came into the shop on that day was the type that was in a hurry . They appeared to fly through the door and make a direct beeline to the ordering counter. Quickly they gave the barista their order and after paying rushed to the end of the counter to await the preparing of their order. As soon as it was sat down they scooped it up and quickly exited the establishment.

I find there are important parts to observe if you wish to make a pastime imagining the stories of individuals while you watch. First, the non-verbal cues are essential to observe. How do they carry themselves? What is the pace of their walk? What do they seem to be looking at as they go along? Are their hands clenched or open? What is the position of their arms? What expressions do you see on their faces? Second, if you are able to hear them in conversation, you should listen for the tone of their voice. Do they sound upbeat or downtrodden? Do they use words which indicate happiness or displeasure? Is their rate of speech rushed or more laid back? What is the volume of their conversation?

If you enjoy watching people and have a place where you are sitting to wait on someone else or just enjoying something to drink, I encourage you to go beyond only looking at someone and take the time to really observe. You may even be like me and start creating stories in your head about the people whom you observe. I find it very entertaining.

Traveling Happiness

I am a person who enjoys traveling. One reason that I enjoy traveling so much is that I love to experience and discover new places. Whenever I am in a new community, I am looking for the cultural aspects of the community. The museums, the parks, the festivals, and the unique neighborhoods are a draw for me. Sometimes it might be an amusement park, a zoo, or a city square that I will explore. Each community has its own flair and character that sets it apart from any other place to which I have been. The more time I have in a new location to discover these elements, the happier I become. Many of these opportunities are free which is also a great benefit.

Another exciting part of traveling for me is the actual process of getting to wherever I am going. Whether it be by car or plane (I have only traveled by train and bus once each), there is something about that experience that energizes me. If it is by plane, I find energy when I am in the terminal awaiting my departure. Seeing the different individuals throughout the terminal and creating in my mind scenarios about where they are traveling, why they are traveling, and who they may be traveling with provides me a creative way to pass the time. Boarding the plane and awaiting take off gives me a feeling of setting off on a great adventure with unknowns which generate energy within the suspense.

If I am traveling by car, the possibilities of seeing new sights launches me on moments of discovery. Making those stops along the way allow me to interact with the people and differences of each location for even a brief amount of time. On a recent trip, I learned that cotton is grown in Kansas when I thought sunflowers was that state’s unique crop. I also became aware of the magnitude of the oil wells which exist in the state of Oklahoma. New information which would have been unlikely for me to know if I had not traveled through those states in my car.

The ability to travel also gives me a sense of accomplishment. When I have been to a place and am able to check it off of my list of “famous places I would like to visit,” I feel accomplished. I also enjoy when I encounter a statue, monument, building, or street which I have heard about in a movie or on television. Again, I have a positive feeling of completion in my life.

With traveling there are also some negative aspects. Times when delays or unexpected hurdles occur. Long periods of just sitting on a plane or in a car. Missing an exit while you are driving. Having your luggage not arrive at your final destination when you do. All these negative aspects are small to me in comparison to the great feeling of euphoria which I experience when given the opportunity to travel.

A Week Away At Home

You may have noticed that I have not blogged in about a week. There was a good reason for this. I had the pleasure of having my youngest son come to visit during his spring break. Of course one of the reasons he chose to come visit is that temperatures here averaged twenty to thirty degrees warmer than back in Iowa where he attends college. I hope the other major reason is that we have not seen each other since our move at the end of December. Whatever his true reason may be, I was more than excited to have him visiting.

Last week was filled with opportunities for me to show him a little about our new city. This was not his first visit to the area. He had been here while he was in high school for a national convention of an organization in which he was a member. They had been able during that visit to tour AT&T Stadium but saw little of the rest of the area. I tried to give him a flavor of the area. Each day we explored something different.

Here is a general breakdown of our week:

  • Friday – arrival and introduction to our new home
  • Saturday – Attended the “World’s Only St Paddy’s Day Pickle Parade”, had a birthday celebration dinner, and went to Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar
  • Sunday – Hiked the trail at Eagle Mountain Lake
  • Monday – Visited the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards and watched the longhorn cattle drive and toured downtown Fort Worth including Sundance Square
  • Tuesday – Visited TCU, walked through the stadium, and then went to the Star which is the headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys and adjacent entertainment area
  • Wednesday – Went to the Fort Worth Zoo
  • Thursday – Spent the day at Six Flags Over Texas
  • Friday – Visited the Fort Worth Science and History Museum, the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum, and walked around the campus of the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center

We were on the go pretty much all week, not including little stops along the way and a lot of eating out.  

Self

Last week I wrote a blog post, Who Am I, which explored the concept of defining one’s self and what components we used to do such an activity. In my opinion, being able to do such a task requires a level of self awareness. I think that self awareness has impact upon much of our life. By knowing who we are, we are able to understand a great deal about how we interact with others and how we live our lives.

Self awareness begins by examining our attitudes and responses to encounters in our lives. There are many programs which will guide a person through a process of examination. An individual may choose to use online tools, enlist the aid of a spiritual guide or psychiatrist, or identify an appropriate self-help book. A program that most individuals who receive a Masters of Divinity must take part in is called Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). This program not only gives the student an opportunity to practice pastoral care in a hospital setting but also through the group sharing verbatim reports of conversations allow the student to examine how they respond to the various situations which arise in the setting.

There are people who seem to have an innate sense of self awareness. This type of person can analyze their behaviors and name the source of their responses. The individual clearly knows who they are and how they operate in their world. I view this as a gift. Usually the person is not aware of this gift until they have been exposed to the language and interpretation through an experience, whether it be a class or discussion with a professional.

No matter where you might fall in the midst of all this, I think that attaining some level of self awareness is a great benefit to you. This awareness can enhance your professional and personal life. Realizing what leads you to respond in certain ways will help you to manage your negative responses better. Being aware of your strengths and challenges allow you to take a proactive approach to life instead of a reactive approach. Having self awareness will allow you to strengthen relationships and create new relationships which are healthier.

Continuous Education

I have been fortunate to receive an unquestionably strong education. The small school which I attended from Kindergarten through graduation (all in the same building) afforded me a wonderful opportunity to learn and explore. While my school did not have much outside of the basics in educational course offerings, I was provided with a solid base from which I could continue to grow. There were also more than enough opportunities to become involved in extracurricular activities due to the smaller number of students and plenty of slots to fill in clubs, organizations, sports, and fine arts. I think that I learned almost as much from my involvement in these extra-curricular offerings as I did in my classroom experiences. At least in regard to application of what I was learning.

Following my elementary, junior high school, and high school education pursuits, I was fortunate to attend small liberal arts college. The first one I attended for a year and then I transferred to a second college where I spent four years completing my undergraduate studies. Before you jump to any conclusions, I was not kicked out of my first college, I transferred so that I was closer to home. My undergraduate experiences mirrored my secondary education. The size of the institution gave to me easy access to classes, professors, and extra-curricular activity involvement. I even extended my final year over two years to take advantage of a unique learning opportunity. I was hired for a new student position at the college. This position was to be the student manager of all the student employees in the college’s multipurpose facility. I was asked to create a management structure, write job descriptions for all student positions (including my own), create policies, create schedules, and any necessary documents. For the first year, I hired, trained, and supervised all the student staff. The following year I spent the first semester supervising staff and making revisions to the structure, policies, and documents. I then hired my replacement and trained the individual during my final semester.

After graduating from college, I began a career in retail management followed by short work experiences at a data management firm and a nonprofit health organization. I then made the decision to return to formal education by going to a university to receive my Master’s degree. Again, I was offered the opportunity to become involved in campus life this time as a residence hall director.

These formal forms of education have been a tremendous asset to me. However, I believe that just because a person is not in a classroom, this does not mean that education no longer continues or can even happen. I think it is vital for each one of us to continuously learn. As I alluded to earlier, I think learning occurs not solely in classroom settings but equally in out-of-classroom situations. Every time I was actively enrolled in an institution, I had experiences which enhanced, broadened, and added to my classroom education.

I also think that for some individuals classroom education has limitations. Every person is not designed to leave a secondary education setting and attend a traditional four-year liberal arts institution. Some of us are better equipped to attend a trade school. Some are better equipped to become students of experiences. No matter how we are created, we all have the ability to learn even if it is through different methods.

The other important item concerning education is that it should be never ending. In my own experience, I continue to read, listen, and explore. Through each of these tools, I discover and learn all types of new pieces of knowledge. There is not an age limit on learning and expanding what a person knows. In fact, I would argue that like a muscle in the body, if you stop working your mind, you will see a deterioration. My observation in life is that as you learn new and different bits of information, your viewpoint in life changes and you discover new opportunities.

I challenge you to continue to learn each day. Consider it a successful day of life if you end the day knowing something which you did not know as you started the day. Life has a lot of lessons to teach us and each of us are equipped to discover a new lesson each day.