Standing in line to return some slippers and I look down the line of registers. Three patrons were texting or generally "phoning" while also making purchases. My Mom comes to visit and wonders what the hell is so damned interesting on my laptop. She doesn't say that because she is the classiest lady you'll ever meet, but she is thinking it. When you see the person driving with their eyes averted downward, they aren't checking to make sure they within the speed limit. They are checking their ex-boyfriend's Facebook status or reading a text.
Last week I watched the predictable and fascinating documentary produced by HBO, called Teenage Paparazzo. The film was about a then 13 year old "pap". Born and raised in Hollywood, his parents are somewhat cool with him making money chasing celebrities. That's absurd. The paparazzi are absurd. What must it be like for Cameron Diaz to get into her car at night and be stunned and momentarily blinded by flashbulbs because 70+ paparazzi are crowding her car. Yes, they generate publicity, but the cost is more than I would be willing to pay.
What I found interesting is the why of it. We see so much. Via the Internet and TV, we see what wealth looks like, we see a hyper reality so vividly. Some people have what's called parasocial relationships with celebrities. They feel like they know them. We often imagine and create a pseudo reality that hits folks hard when they receive a credit card bill they can't pay. It's more than the bling though. I think it's a desire to be part of a group, a beautiful group, the successful people, the people perceived to have less pain and problems.
It's the same desire that apparently drove Mark Zuckerberg to create Facebook. I just saw "The Social Network" and found the storyline to be so basic while being fascinatingly telling. By the way, he does not feel that the movie is an accurate portrayal. The Social Network
Why is Facebook 512 million users strong? People want to connect with each other. I think this desire is baked into who we are and it's strong. I wonder if the "baked in" part has to do with "needing love and acceptance" or is it even more primal - such that thousands of years ago, if you were not connected to your community, you would die due to lack of food and warmth.
I feel that we are confusingly connected. Facebook offers satisfying connections and portals to people I would not otherwise communicate with. Facebook can launch a movement. (Rally to Restore Sanity) The problem is that there is an element of breadth, not depth. I think Arron Sorkin called it "empty calories." Sometimes you want more, while other times you learn way too much about someone. Sometimes you find yourself jealous with the bragging of others and sometimes you feel like a voyeur. Sometimes ignorance is highlighted and sometimes you are blown away by an article someone has shared.
I don't think there is a satisfying replacement for visual, tactile and verbal contact with people. We need to connect if not to feed our souls and fend off loneliness, then to remember how to communicate and interact. There's nothing better than hanging out with friends and/or family over dinner and drinks when those magical conversations occur. It's richer.
