Living in twilight

I saw a guy in a store today wearing an ELO shirt, and was reminded of this song. Like much of Pink Floyd's canon, Jeff Lynne here explores the subject of estrangement and isolation.



Not the first to recognize or note that, in our age of amazing technology, I've been reflecting lately, wondering if we're losing our humanity. A co-worker a couple of weeks ago snapped a smartphone picture of me, then 'Caitlin-ized' me via its imaging software, to render me female. I was actually quite attractive - reminding me of my Daughter - and no, I shan't show you the picture.

But it made me wonder, in this age, why brilliant creative types are creating software to put butterflies on people's noses, kitty ears and whiskers, and outright transgendering them, while there are still deadly and chronic diseases, global disagreements, and other more important issues to tackle.

Late this afternoon, as I was leaving work, another co-worker sent a group text to 18 numbers, five of which were recognized in my contact list, regarding a dog needing a home. Within a half-hour, someone whose number I did not know had stepped forward and pledged to adopt the pup. Technology mobilized a group and solved the problem at hand - nonetheless, the thread continued for another half-hour, devolving into some kind of slam-fest between a couple of the unidentified members.

So maybe I'm evolving into Grumpy Old Man, but, gee, I long for those days when you could have a real one-to-one conversation with someone - no texts or email notifications interrupting - if they'd just pick up that telephone.

Click here for an alternate take on the song.