In this digital age in which technology rapidly impacts our lives–for better or worse–it’s important to be conscious of our traditions and our decisions to hold onto them, allow them to evolve, or to let them go and fully embrace change.
I think technology is an accelerator, especially as it relates to the internet: it increases the speed at which change is implemented, and it increases our awareness of how quickly some aspects of our lives are changing.
In certain instances, it may seem to sell us on the idea that change is inevitable and if we don’t change, we’ll be left behind or miss out on the Next Big Thing.
Of course, when it comes to technology, things must change and, so the logic goes, that change will of course be better than the status quo.
Sometimes, I’m not so sure. I’ve lived through reel-to-reel, stereo, quadraphonic, super 8 cameras, Polaroid cameras, vinyl records, 8 track tapes, CB radios, cassettes, Beta, VHS, telephone answering machines, pagers, beepers, mobile phones, Telex machines, fax machines, floppy discs, compact discs, flash drives, and MySpace.
The advertising campaigns, newspaper articles, magazine articles, and television segments associated with these cutting edge innovations invariably promoted the global impact these advances would have on my life.
Yeah, not so much. The internet in general and the digital delivery of content? Yes, absolutely. But I still prefer cash in my pocket to the bank card, and I still prefer to speak with someone, preferably face to face, before doing business with them. (Amazon excluded.) My ‘friends’ are not linked users on Facebook, but people I’ve shared life with for a period of time. Perhaps it’s that way for many of us, but we still need to be vigilante…and proactive.
With all this innovation and change happening–it would seem–all around us, it’s important to remember that not all change is progress. That sometimes a change requires a sacrifice–a loss of one thing to gain another (privacy comes to mind.) And that the clarion call to change something in our lives is often driven by a hidden (or obvious) agenda of the party promoting the change (profit, personal information, or power come to mind.)
Before we change, we need to assess what we will trade or sacrifice in order to implement the change. What will we gain? Is this gain permanent? Is the loss permanent and/or acceptable? Will we eventually lose a tradition if we opt for a change?
Traditions hold societies together and often require interaction with others, even those with whom we may seem to have nothing in common, or even those with whom we strongly disagree on certain issues. The person we sit next to at a sporting event or public performance is usually a stranger. We exchange pleasantries and sometimes engage in conversation to discover common interests. It can be awkward, but it’s a good thing: we can realize the value of society, the reassurance we find in community, the joy of a shared experience.
With family and close friends, traditions are even more important.
So, as the holiday season approaches, make sure you’re participating in more face time than screen time. Plan now. Make an effort. Get dressed. Buy flowers or dessert. Go. Visit. Leave your worries on the doorstep. Leave your phone in the foyer. Politely suggest that the television be turned off during the meal. Ask people who they’re doing. Listen.
And between now and then, make a list of the traditions you want to preserve…or start. And share them with your family. Agree to preserve, to remain, to endure.
It’s a great way to make sure we don’t lose things we value amidst all this change.
- BGT