Photo by the author. Water obscures a reflection as to be unrecognizable.
“People are crazy and times have changed” is only a part of the prophetic 2000 song lyric of this Bob Dylan song, “Times Have Changed”. Times have changed and where are we are and where we are headed is my constant thought as flux is the only deal. It’s the only deal there is. How things generally will tip or lean or solidify is everyones guessing game. And when. When will we have resolution to this tough time? How will the election turn, how will Jan 6 committee go forward. “Who what when where why” is ever present. The aphorism of what to say and how to write a descent story, so long gone from main stream media, are still the relevant points and backbone to understanding the world around us.
Since about 2005, and slowing wandering forward and capturing us all, the internet and future tools of influencers began. Escalating connectivity and elevation of anyone who might use the power of electronic devices in everyones pocket to extended their thoughts or offer their products has changed the world. Whether you choose to be on social media or not, “it” along with huge real and yet pretend markets such as Amazon competes with brands only available on the internet. Shopping in stores has new meaning. No car or bus needed to shop. Stores are all brought to our lap or hand. It is a changed world. We have to adjust.
Chaos. Here are some synonyms: Hullabaloo, disorder, pandemonium, upheaval. Omnishambles is a British informal word that comes close to Schmengefest, a personal fav. When disorder settles as it is inevitable to happen, we will land in some kind of order that serves but until then it’s a struggle for us all. The politicians who seek disorder as cover seem confident, but it’s a bluster. We’re in uncomfortable chaos of all kinds.
The electronic devices and the programs that social media runs on have given us a potential equality never before possible. So then, these platforms can be a great equalizer of merit. The most worthy of opinion will have their opinions rise to the top? We know that’s not true as the most hideous of liars command a ginormous chunk of, what? There is no space in cyberspace and in another chaotic thought it’s unlimited.
Our paradigm has been tossed up and not yet landed into a recognizable model. As we seem to become less important every minute we are also becoming more important every minute. How will we vote, what will we buy, what did we look at on our computer. We’re deluged with advertisements for things we will never buy, with emails begging for cash. We are stolen from. Our credit cards, our identity all need protection and so we buy something from someone to protect us till it’s proven to be poor and the better choices emerge. We are also given to freely by generous souls who share knowledge, art and science simply for finding the correct string of letters and then by pushing the button.
We have learned to vote with our dollars and we are criticized for canceling people, corporations and ideas faster than without the Pandora’s Box we all own. We have amazing power in unexpected places while we seem to be simultaneously sold the idea our voice does not matter.
The chaos will settle and we, the most important ones will decide how it will look and how it will function. This sounds like a worthwhile future and will only materialize if we all can use our individual voices with purpose.
One raindrop alone does not nourish a drought but no drought can be quelled without one and then another, and another.
It has to be said, vote. Vote with authority and conviction. It’s our civic duty and for now, it’s our right.