I just wrote the first two words of this blog post, 'I just'. Then I checked my email. Then I tweeted an Aristotle quote. Then I finished this paragraph. Then I text Michelle. Then Michelle didn't text back. I logged into LinkedIn, didn't really understand it, and logged back out again.
After that, I browsed some news articles. David Cameron disagreed with Nick Clegg. Manchester United considered signing Robin Van Persie. Katie Holmes may or may not have gone out to buy some milk. I facebooked Michelle to ask if she's okay and enquired as to whether she knew anything about Katie Holmes and the milk.
It's not that I'm against technology, it's just that I'm not entirely sure this is how I'm meant to be living my life. Just because someone invented the smartphone and someone else invented Facebook, that doesn't mean they have to take over my life.
Yet they have.
Last night I decided to listen to a song. It's by John Mayer and I really like it. But I got bored barely a minute into it, so I went on Facebook and told everyone from High School that John Mayer is really great. Michael Berksby 'liked' it. I don't even know who Michael Berksby is. I'm at the point where listening to a three minute song seems like a lot of effort. How did I end up like this?
I also text my friend Karl quite a lot. It's a mixture of jokes, insults, and conversations that go something like:
KARL: Sup, have you heard from Michelle?
ME: No.
But then we meet up for food. And completely ignore each other. Why? Because of the secret rule of the smartphone.
The secret rule of the smartphone is:
The most interesting person is whomever is not currently in the room with you.
I fear that if my ultimate fantasy of being locked in a room with Scarlett Johannson and Natalie Portman were to come true, it would be ruined due to my sudden and urgent need to text my friend Chris about the football results.
I love connecting with people. But this internet stuff makes it harder, don't you think? I'd give up fifty Facebook Chats for one good all-night-by-the-fireplace-conversation. Of course, I don't know anyone with a fireplace but I'm sure there must be someone on Twitter.
The point that I'm trying to make is that yes, the internet is a great tool. And social media can, in many ways, bring us closer together. But also, if we're not careful, it can keep us apart. Keep us from paying attention to those around us. Keep us fro--- why hasn't Michelle text me back and who is this John guy she just added on Facebo-- keep us from focusing on one thing at a time.
The ten minute song. The three hour movie. The all night conversation. That's where the real magic is, don't let the distractions fool you.