Saw this very interesting BBC article a while back and had this post queue’d up to go out but never really got around to it.
A recent internal dialogue that I’ve had with myself is how much time I’m spending on the internet and if this is really all that healthy for me…
Some ideas to ponder, nonetheless. Some of those after the break.
“Unstimulating?”
That’s a pretty tall claim… But, not what you might think, at first. It’s not the internet that unstimulating, but the real world…!
Now, I find that the world wide web ‘o’ the internet is pretty darn stimulating. Or, at least for some particular portions of my brain. There’s an interesting blog entry that I’ve got to write soon before it escapes me on why this really is, but, I’ll leave that for later.
But the real world? I find that pretty darn stimulating too. In fact… well, it’s REAL!
The article goes on to say that this may result in suicidal tendencies, or at least an increase of them. … Possible. I don’t know. If anything, it gives us greater and much faster access to information, much of which just bad. And when I mean bad, I mean sinful.
Want to know the quickest way to prove that the world is going to hell in a hand basket? Jump online and spend 5 minutes just browsing. Just browsing. Anywhere you want to go… you’re two clicks away from reading some natural distaster, world attrocity, or a story of humanity gone FUBAR.
You’re probably also a 1 and a half mouse clicks away from something you know you shouldn’t be looking at (like porn, etc) if not closer…
Trending to suicide? Possible… Trending toward outright depression on mankind? Most certainly.
I can definitely agree with one thing though: swapping out identities in the blink of an eye is possible (but for me, it’s a pain, and that makes me want to call it quits… i mean, how many social networking personas and websites does one keep these days?!?)
Anywho. It’s still up for grabs, debate, and research.
But I believe there’s an opportunity here; an opportunity to invade the web’o'sphere with the truly Good News. Imagine what it would be like if an internet user was only 1 click away from hearing the Gospel?
Wow. That might make all the difference.
I can see why someone would feel that the internet would make someone suicidal. Someone who is disconnected from another human being might just sit online all day. In which case they are lacking personal one and one communication. I once heard a preacher say, "we are more electronically connected, but more distant from each other." And it's true. We are just a few clicks away from anyone. But it doesn't replace our need to interact da uomo a uomo.
A little good can go a long way. No matter how dark the world gets, a little light can outshine it all. It's one of the basic things Jesus spoke about in scripture. "Let your light shine." The world is bad, but we should still go out and try to connect with God and other humans. Even if it's just going for a walk and enjoying his creation.
thanks for stopping by!definitley. it can get lonely… relaly fast.