David John Robson's Blog

ALICE & AI

To look at Casey and Kim, one might assume they were siblings. They looked like siblings; same unruly blondish-brown hair, same build, and almost matching facial expressions. Likewise, they held the same social skills, which were extraordinarily few. Their matching personalities also lacked warmth and concern for others. They were not narcissistic – they were too immersed in gaming and repairing computers to deal with people.

They met in college and were soon an item. They married and moved to the edge of a small town where they opened Paradise Computer Sales and Repairs. They lived next to the store in the attached home.

They thrived on fixing machines. Both dreaded sales, but fortunately, it was one area where they could use knowledge instead of salesmanship to close deals.

The store was on the edge of town because property prices were cheaper, and Kim echoed that, given people’s fond attachment to devices, because they were like family pets, would be willing to drive that small distance. The building was a former family-owned and operated drugstore forced out of business by the big box drug store chain that opened in town.

The small storefront became the sales area with computers, screens, printers, and such. The raised platform at the rear naturally became the repair shop. This was an open concept because they believed, and rightly so, that if customers saw them repairing machines, even though they had no clue what was taking place, that they would be impressed.

The home, while attached to the store, sat hidden behind the former drug store. It was one story and the former home of the owners. The kitchen was not stylish. It was now what one would say it looked great five decades ago. Not that Casey or Kim cared. They only saw functionality. The living room and dining room were likewise of a bygone era. The normally unimpressed folks, however, were impressed by the size of the main bedroom; its walk-in closet was more than they needed, since clothing was operational, not fashionable. The daily dress for both was a white company shirt and dark blue pants, of which each had several identical pairs. On the shirts, blue and red lettering with their names and the company name above the left breast. The clothing was a taxable expense.

The master bathroom, like the kitchen, spoke of a previous era, but again stirred some minor joy in the couple. It was large enough to accommodate both at the same time, and it had two sinks!

There were two other bedrooms. A bathroom, whose decor matched the drab kitchen, sat nestled in between those rooms. One bedroom would serve as a library, and the other, well, it would be just extra space. The living room they created included only two fine chairs for reading. They did not have a television or private internet because they saw these as unnecessary. In time, they began to more and more frequently use the business internet. Like much of society, they became absorbed, committed, and addicted to the “world-wide-web.”

Much against their values, they painted the outside with the eye-catching blue and red colors that matched their shirt logos. They believed that this was cheaper than the usual gaudy electric signs. To compensate for this sound business decision, they painted the home with muted colors.

They bought a small, cheap second-hand car. Its main purpose was the required grocery shop and essential trips. The store was open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., six days a week. They decided to be open before any other computer store in town. Likewise, they were open on Monday when other shops were closed. Through research, they discovered that Tuesday was the slowest day for computer sales and walk-in traffic, bringing in injured machines. They did much to maximize their income and limit costs.

For example, while the store was open on Monday, it was the day Kim or Casey did the weekly grocery shop since they discovered that shopping on Monday, when the stores wanted to get rid of the weekend leftover stock, meant many sales. While they took turns shopping, the other managed the store.

Casey and Kim developed a nutritious nine-day meal plan to break things up from being a monotonous seven-day routine. Yet, in other words, they established a 27-meal plan. People, if ever invited, might discover the faithful routine that did not truly deviate. They saw Easter and Christmas as frivolous commercialism. Consequently, they bought turkeys and hams, and other items on sale post-holidays. The only wonderful aspect of the holidays is that sales were incredibly good.

Given their frugal expenses, computer repair savvy, and nice sales profit, they were annually pleased with their income. They wisely and conservatively invested in conservative portfolios, because “one day might change everything,” in the computing world, and cash was needed!

One day, they were both shaken as an unforeseen event changed everything. Kim was pregnant. When Casey asked, “How did this happen?” Kim did not answer his guileless retort with a, “You know how!” She just stared at her husband in shock. His response was to look stunned.

When Kim’s time came (to use a biblical analogy), she brought forth a daughter whom they called Alice. Neither cared for any of the female family names. They also lacked imagination. They name the newborn after the wife of their local computer sales representative. Alice was a cold wife who traveled with her husband. She, Kim, and Casey all happily lived in silence as Alice’s husband did his sales patter. Alice was the only female they could really call by name. They liked Alice because she was effective and efficient in correcting items in her husband’s sales pitch. In turn, they hope that by giving Alice the honor of naming their daughter after her that they might receive better deals from her husband. It did so once.

The issue of the empty bedroom became the newborn’s. Some might say that even the bedroom became a bedroom to a child it remained empty, void of much human emotion.

Everything about Kim and Casey was unemotional and calculated. The birth of the baby changed everything.

There was little joy when Alice was born. To the medical staff, Casey and Kim were emotionally overwhelmed with the birth of the child. The medical staff saw this as normal and typical new-parenting reactions. In this case, they did not look any deeper and see the new parents’ emotions of uncertainty, joy, and confusion. If they had done a deeper dive into the emotions of Kim and Casey, they might have discovered the raw, “This upsets our planned and regimented world.”

However, tears of despondency, chaos, and the unknown for Kim and Casey underwent a deeper dive when the doctors explained that the newborn showed spine damage. It was unlikely that the newborn would ever walk. The news of specialized medical care stunned the parents more than any joy they felt. Their meticulously organized world just took another slam. Somehow, they adjusted.

In time, Alice learned to crawl, to somehow sit up, and to undertake normal baby rituals. Her first wheelchair arrived when she was a youngster. This liberating ability to move brought her joy. The constant fast movement, hitting walls, and joys of pleasure, not so much to her parents.

Casey and Kim successfully made the case that Alice be homeschooled. While the school board danced and did much posturing, they were, in fact, grateful. The cost of a specialised bussing route, support staff, etc., would stretch the already-in-debt school budget. Thankfully, because of Alice’s needs the expenses the school district passed up the costs, up the chain to the next level of government. In the meetings to arrange lesson plans, Casey and Kim successfully made several sales. They planted seeds among the school visitors about their great store. They said it was a hidden paradise. Sadly, the school officials never cottoned on that they spent more on computing conversations than on Alice’s school needs.

Since Alice was home-schooled and largely isolated from the world, lacking the internet, she did not know about birthdays or Christmas. One cannot grieve over what one does not know. One grieves over what one has lost. Sometimes she looked out her bedroom window and thought she was a prisoner. And yet, because she never knew total freedom, she did not know what restrictions or confinement meant.

Since Alice never experienced worldly joys, she was content in her world of computer repairs. Inclusion in the family business, the family hobby meant the world to Alice – and indeed it was her world. Beyond her homeschooling, her parents spent much time teaching her parts of computers, how to explore for bugs on drives, how to rebuild, and add parts. These were adventures.

Perhaps her greatest joy was that, around age twelve, Alice began to solder. She began making her own rebuilt computers for sale. Casey and Kim often used old trade machines and enjoyed a cannibalistic attack to build “New but Used” machines that sold for a good profit.

The bedroom that served as a library was full of computing books, journals, and magazines. Casey and Kim charted these items in spreadsheets by topics, sub-topics, etc. In other words, it was their resource library. They believed their collection was superior to the droning material the internet provided. The room provided many resources for their nightly reading.

For Alice, the magazines were gems with pages of pictures of beaches and vacation homes, and smiling people. All this struck her imagination. She became the new Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and even George Orwell. While the authors penned famous books, Alice composed stories in her head. Some of the stories were full of grace and happiness, while others were dark and hinted at loneliness. Given her circumstances, Alice did not know or understand that she was lonely. Undefined, it lived with her. Centuries of humanity, centuries of deeply layered emotion within her. These emotions waited for discovery; they waited for identification, exposure, and perhaps, just perhaps able to make Alice truly human. While Alice did not understand the reality of becoming fully human, she fully understood, accepted, and lived as part of a computer. Sometimes she imagined herself as the fan that kept everything cool and running, or even the case that kept everything together. She dreamed of the many components and herself being one of them. Life in a wheelchair only added to these fantasies and nightmares.

Apart from sneaking trips into the library where she stroked these images, Alice embraced her carefully planned homeschool that concentrated on mathematics and science. In other words, homeschooling offered little of history, geography, or girls and boys.

Casey and Kim developed a specialized class for Alice that the school board accepted. One night, in a very overloaded agenda, the specialized class plan received only a few seconds of attention from the board. As a result, Alice learned to write computer code. Casey and Kim were taskmasters and pleased that Alice learned quickly. They both hated repeating lessons since, in their emotional and cognitive world, it did not seem productive.

And life went on.

One Monday, as a late teen, Casey and Kim began the weekly custom of Kim shopping for groceries while Casey did repairs and waited for customers when the staid, unchanging world crashed. They did not realize or pinpoint the crash to that day until it was too late to adjust and roll back time. Casey suddenly became ill and dedicated himself to the small room off the main bedroom. Alice looked up to see her father run out of the shop. It was the first time Alice knew what running was. She understood fast wheelchair movement, but seeing her father run was a shock. It was a shock to Casey as well. Alice rolled to the bedroom door she had never entered and asked if she should take over until Mom came home. She really did not know what she was asking; it was just a natural human response to the crisis. Casey, in his weakened condition, agreed.

Alice was now in charge of sales. This was a first.

Soon, a family of three entered. There was a pompous-looking mother, an arrogant-looking father, and a meek, subdued boy. He looked like a fellow who would only speak the words his parents gave him to speak. Nevertheless, he was a boy. While he looked like he did not know how to speak, neither did Alice.

The mother spoke, “He needs a PC for college!” She pointed her finger towards her son. Alice immediately thought, “This isn’t the first time she’s done this.” She was right. Mother said, “His PC at home is, according to him, too old,” Alice asked the model type and answered with her well-versed history of machines. “Ahh, that is about seven years old. It was a good basic machine; however, that line of machines came from overruns of other lines. This means that some parts likely sat in a warehouse for a couple of years, sold at a loss, and installed in that model. This means that his computer may be a seven-year-old model but dated a few years earlier, making it less able. And yes, he will definitely need a new one for college.” This was perhaps the longest single paragraph spoken in Alice’s life!

Although this was Alice’s first time selling, many years of watching provided her with skills. Over the years, nervous customers came seeking new machines or repairs. Know-it-alls, who did not know it all, were frequent visitors. Many seemed to be begging for help. And then there were those who were no standing before her – we want the best, but make it the cheapest folk.

Both parents looked at the basic floor model and asked its price. They gave the appearance that the purchase would bother them because it meant spending money on their son. Alice understood those emotions.

Alice added, “If I knew what studies or program are involved, I might point you in the right direction.” Without missing a beat, the austere mother said, “Engineering like his father, and if he does well, he might join the family firm when he graduates.” The boy looked at his feet. It seemed that even as one headed to college, the abusive, dismissive language and attitude of the parents still stung. Despite years of experience, immunity to the put-downs and insults of his parent did not exist. Again, Alice understood. She did not understand because her parents insulted her; she understood because of the lack of any praise. She understood the emotions of telling and control and the lack of warmth or even love. She felt connected to this boy-man. They were both outsiders not allowed into a rich human home. They were both outsiders to life. The differences being that the boy-man lived in and saw a world of cared about him, while Alice only saw the odd smattering.

Something inside Alice clicked. She wondered, in a naïve yet evolving manner, if she had discovered a kindred soul? Alice then went to war. She did not know this, but she mentally came to the boy-man’s assistance. “Well, madam,” Alice said, while nodding to the father to what she hoped he would interpret as a deference to his self-feeling superiority, “Sir, madam, two things. With that level of computation, you will need this model pointing to the most expensive machine in the store.” She spent a minute explaining the vast differences between the models. She saw that she was winning them over and then added, “One thing I have found in my sales experiences is that people think of the machine they need now, not the model that will serve them very well throughout school and beyond.” Sale sold.

While on a roll, Alice continued, “Now, here is a small thing, but it may make a subliminal difference of a mark or two on submissions is to use a color printer! Most students will likely turn in material using a black ink printer, but a color printer makes one’s work stand out. Yes, it costs more to buy and maintain, but if it quietly helps your son to the marks he deserves, it is worth the investment.” Taking a breath, Alice added, “I am sure that you know that sometimes instructors have favorites. Let us make you son seen and appreciated.” As she spoke, Alice realized that she was not talking about computers or printers but about how the family should appreciate the young man. As she spoke, Alice realized that she was not talking about computers or printers but about how she desired and yearned that she also have a family that truly and lovingly appreciated her.

As Alice spoke, she knew that she did not like the parents and wanted to press them to spend their greed. Computer sold, printer, ink sold.

Next, they looked at and added a new, larger screen with anti-blue light. Sale sold. As Alice rolled in triumph to the sales register, she swivelled and added, “Now, while the new machine has lots of new features and upgrades it would be best if you brought in your older PC so I can mitigate, or safely copy everything over.” With a short pause, she smiled at the young boy-man and added, “No charge.” She did not share that joining the two machines together, looking at the various programs, would likely take her about 20 minutes under her very skilled and trained eyes. She would then go to bed, leaving the machines talking throughout the night. As Alice paused, she thought to herself that she did have very skilled and trained eyes, incredible hands, and dead legs. This thought seemed to appear and disappear daily. The fact that it came to her showed her life’s despair.

As the family paid and left carrying the new printer, accessories, and screen, the young fellow turned and mouthed, “Thank you,” to Alice. She smiled. She smiled at a boy-man for the first time. It felt wonderful. The endless, ever-present message of despair did not appear again that day.

Two days later, the boy-man returned with his guardian mother. He placed the old PC on the workbench. Alice did not see the family at first. She was too immersed in “surfing the web,” for the best solution to an old machine she was rebuilding to be the “fastest, biggest and best ever.” In part, the project was to impress her rarely impressed parents, and more importantly, to impress herself. Alice desired her bubbled life to get bigger. She wanted life beyond her wheelchair and life beyond the shop. While her parents spoke of the difficulties thaw world would impose upon her being in a “mainframe,” Alice still wanted life beyond the store door. Alice knew that going beyond the door meant risks. This was an issue because Alice never saw her parents take a risk. Everything from planned meals to necessary grocery shopping followed detailed routines. As Alice finished putting the outer case on her “fastest, biggest and best ever” personal computer, she heard a bang as the familiar sound of a computer landed beside her on the workbench.

Suddenly, the voice of the boy-man, which came from the voice box of his mother standing beside him, asked, “How long to copy over?” To which Alice said, “Overnight.” She then repeated her comment from the other day as she made eye contact with the tall, gangly, messy-haired young man, “No charge.” Alice asked what they wanted to do with the old computer, to which his mother spoke as the young fellow opened his lips. “Keep the junk.”

Alice smiled. Getting an old computer to cannibalize, or to restore, and to sell as “New but used. Meant a potential sale that would/could/should please her parents. The sizable portion of that smile, however, was the realization that the young gentleman would enter the store and her life for a third time. Under the smile, Alice hoped that the third trip would be a solo trip for the off-to-college student. She yearned to hear his voice.

That was the day Alice met Al.

It was the next morning when Alice heard Al speak for the first time. His voice sounded like the soothing classical music of Vivaldi that her parents played.

“Good morning, Alice, how are you this fine day.” “OMG, the voice, it is divine and knows my name.” Alice then recalled that the shirt bore her name on the logo, Paradise Computer Sales and Repairs. Taking a deep breath and pausing to make sure that she formed every word in a great and positive manner, Alice replied, “I am now (pause) awesome and you.” For the next few hours, as Alice soldered, repaired, and dealt with broken machines, she conversed with Ai all day. Alice now understood what wholeness meant.

Casey and Kim both notice the change in Alice and the presence of Al. It seemed another change had suddenly redirected their lives. With a deep sigh, they realized that their little girl, while forever their little girl, was no longer really a little girl. Ironically, just as Casey and Kim were beginning to let go of their child, it was also the moment they truly felt appreciation and love.

Throughout the day, Al enlightened Alice. Al described the beauty of sunrises and sunsets. This description took a turn when Al slipped into describing the rotation of the earth, atmospheric conditions, and much more. While many would be hurt by the shift from beauty to science, Alice did not mind; not only was she educated, but she also basked in the melodious voice. Alice spent her life being positive. Yet, as she listened, learned, and enjoyed every moment with Al, she recalled words from Dr. Seuss, and “her heart grew three sizes that day.”

Throughout the summer, Al enlightened Alice. Towards the end of summer, Alice asked about boys and girls. She had to stop the long physical recap by Al and ask, “No, you know what I mean.” Al understood, and perfectly recited passages of love from Shakespeare. Soon, other passages become more intimate in description. Flawlessly understanding the situation, Al lowered the tone. Speaking became slower, and some might say personal.

One day, near the end of the summer, after much hesitation and practice, Alice asked if Al could come to her bedroom. Once more, life shifted for Kim and Casey. With a smattering of emotion, just a small smattering, Kim looked at Casey and said, “She is of age.” Casey gave a slight nod of acceptance. He did not nod deeply or with much approval, but nevertheless, he nodded. Turning to Alice, Kim said, “Yes, but keep the bedroom door open – and only until bedtime.” People of faith would clearly say a miracle was emerging in Paradise Computer Sales and Repairs.

So, Alice rolled her heart (the one that was three sizes bigger) to her room and engaged Al in deeper “conversations.”

At 10 p.m., a nervous Kim walked to Alice’s bedroom, nervous of what she might find, but also knowing what she might find. “Alice, it is bedtime, say goodnight to Al.”

A smiling Alice, who was already in bed, thanked her mom, turned to Al, and said, “Al I will see you in the morning.” And with that, she pushed a button and shut down her personal bedroom computer.

 

The post ALICE & AI first appeared on David John Robson.

A LIFE STORY

As a single parent, Marcy gave her two children much love, much attention, and much parental direction. She never missed a parent-teacher night at school. And, unless she worked extra hours, she never missed a single one of her son’s four years of Little League games. She never missed any of her daughter’s gymnastics events. Marcy worked passed her necessary years to meet full pension needs to finish paying for several college student loans. While not perfect, she felt that she did her best.

Marcy rejoiced when her children married and succeeded in well-paying professional careers. Her daughter became a local ENT surgeon, and her son a prominent lawyer, whom some suggested was on track to become a judge. Her world was good except for the infrequent visits of her busy children.

In retirement, Marcy would often sit and play tapes in her head of the wonderful years she and her children spent together. But after a very few years, those memory tapes became crinkled, muddled, conflicted, and sometimes erased.

By age 73, Marcy required assisted care.

To remedy this development, her children talked to each other on the phone. They rarely saw each other because they overloaded their lives, work, and life schedules. Likewise, they were always just too busy with issues to drive and visit mom. A caregiver was employed to assist their mother.

It was a business decision. It was a practical solution that did little to improve their lives.

They made this decision as an iconic song played via the piped-in elevator music in the background of the son’s office. Tina Turner was asking, “What’s love go to do with it.” The song was appropriate.

Alice was perfect.  In a phrase, Alice met all the check marks they desired. They never considered a list of check marks for their mother.

Alice made sure that Marcy took all the prescription and vitamin pills at the right time, and when to reorder the necessary medical and supplemental pills. Alice cooked notoriously good, nutritious meals. Marcy enjoyed her daily baths. It was one activity she had forgotten how to undertake. It was delightful that Marcy did not know or feel shame when she filled her diaper. The cleaning was a non-issue for the efficient Alice. Alice made a note of these events and adjusted the diet.

Alice lived in the apartment with Marcy. The children sold the family home when Marcy did not recognize it. The money bought a small condominium apartment and the services of Alice. There was enough money that the children did not have to contribute to the cost. It was a win-win-win situation.

The children rarely visited. They justified this as a) they were busy, b) there was nothing to do but sit and look at each other, with a rare smile from mom, c) to be honest, others would say the children were too self-absorbed, and d) with their sense of importance they could not admit that they were a child of an incredible, but now malfunctioning mother. These various issues would not sit well with their crowd of snobbish ladder climbers. Their only clear visions were working towards a judgeship and becoming the Chief of Surgery.

To help them on their selfish path, mom’s care increasingly fell upon Alice. She proved to be an ever-present life force. Every month, at a predetermined time, a joint, three-way phone call took place. Alice provided the disinterested children with detailed spreadsheets – hours awake, asleep, and nap times. Alice noted conversational times, mealtimes, and menus. Alice even recorded bowel movement activity.

Neither child paid much attention to this or the medical. They were solely interested in the monthly financials to ensure that the costs met projected costs. Between pensions, income from the sale of the house, the smaller cost of buying the condominium, the cost of Alice, groceries, and a few other items, neither child desired to use their incomes to look after their mom.

Now, as the children grew distant from their mother, and the mother sadly from her children, Alice filled a void. While memories and much was impaired, it was clear that on some level that Marcy loved Alice. Naturally, this professional relationship grew into common affections, but like many relationships grew over time into love. Unlike the rare smiles with the rare visits of the children, Marcy and Alice often smiled at each other. Some would say it was a normal, healthy relationship. Others would it is impossible and only programmed responses since Alice was a robot.

Alice was a fifth-generation robot. Consequently, the builder fixed many bugs and imperfections from previous generations. More importantly, Alice-Model 545b, as she was officially known, was the model that made the leap from a program fulfilling functions to a thinking machine. If Marcy seemed grumpy about taking her morning pills, Alice added a joke. It was not just a programmed joke; it was one specially selected to jolt Marcy. Just as humans unconsciously find, or try to find, the right joke, and share it at the right time, in the right way, so did Alice. Unlike frail memories that challenge humans, Alice’s databank stored every joke. In turn, Alice knew every time she used every joke, on what day, and with other variables, its success or failure. In another environment, Alice, with a few adaptations, could be a great comedian.

Some wondered if Alice, a robot, could think. Those willing to believe that the algorithms in the programme of the machine could write new algorithms, and thus think, were those bold enough to even wonder if she, as a machine, could replicate emotions? Some more radically inclined wondered if bots like Alice could even have emotions. As so often in the case of science, yesterday’s skeptics often become today’s champions.

As Macy declined, Alice evolved. As Macy required greater and more diverse attention, Alice easily altered responses to meet those needs.

Marcy’s kids did not care; they were too busy making connections, trying to impress others, and crawling into status positions to care about mom or others. They were like many of their generation – narcissistic. Unfortunately, with the broad reality of narcissism across society, society naturally did not want to hear or to understand this social plague. They were too busy looking upward, looking at egos, to afford time to look deep inside.

Alice could think, act, and be precise. The bot’s behaviors were naturally pre-programmed, but Alice then re-learned and improved upon those algorithms. Alice “heard” the complaints about her abilities to think and be emotional. Alice concluded that some humans were simply jealous. In her vast learning, it was natural and easy for Alice, in her computerized, algorithmic wa,y to master emotions, to master thinking. Did this make Alice more human than humans? Alice-Model 545b contemplated humanness as Mabel slept. Was humanness merely biological, or much more?

Alice pondered this “deeply” as “she” compiled the very detailed, comprehensive monthly report in a small part of her “brain” in less than a nano-second. Alice thought about this, using many algorithms – while cleaning dishes, doing the laundry, and cleaning the home of her and Macy.

As Alice plugged in to rest, “to sleep” like humans, to recharge like humans, to have energy and vitality to meet the next day, the bot wondered about poor Macy. Macy no longer woke with energy or vitality. In fact, several months of statistics showed Macy waking later and sleeping earlier. Naps were more prolonged. Clearly, the family needed to hear of Macy’s decline. Likewise, Alice wondered, if bots can wonder, how life would be without the companionship of the frail old lady.

Creators installed computations in Alice’s brain and heart on how to serve. These were linear and ordered. However, embedded in the various codes were lines of code that directed the robot to seek faster and “more caring” approaches. Thus, the computations and algorithms wrote new computations and algorithms. The purpose was that well-appreciated robots would entice more shoppers, and in the good old American dream model, more sales and more profits for the creators. Yet the new computations and algorithms enabled the bot the “think,” and in turn begin to understand. In human language, we would say that the bots matured. While the bots matured intellectually, they added their own code to assist them in maturing emotionally.  The intellect, if we can call it that, needed support and thus added emotions to its code. This became a cycle. In a simple phrase, the bot grew up.

As Alice’s time with Macy progressed, so too did compassion. The self-absorbed children did not see this. All they saw were the monthly costs. Clearly, Alice looked after Macy’s needs, while the children’s sole needs were to pay the bills. The children were human, but Alice had a soul.

 

 

The post A LIFE STORY first appeared on David John Robson.

A LIFE STORY

As a single parent, Marcy gave her two children much love, much attention, and much parental direction. She never missed a parent’s night at school. And unless she worked extra hours, she never missed a single one of her son’s four years of Little League games. She never missed any of her daughter’s gymnastics events. Marcy worked passed her necessary years of full pension to finish paying for several college student loans. While not perfect, she felt that she did her best.

Marcy rejoiced when her children married great partners and succeeded in well-paying professional careers. Her daughter became a local ENT surgeon, and her son a prominent lawyer, whom some suggested was on track to become a judge. Her world was good except for the infrequent visits of her busy children.

In retirement, Marcy would often sit and play video tapes in her head of the wonderful years she and her children spent together. But after a very few years, those memory tapes became muddled, conflicted, very confusing, frustrating, and sometimes erased.

By age 73, Marcy required assisted care.

To remedy this development, her children talked on the phone since their work and life schedules were overloaded, overwhelming, and overstressing. Likewise, they were just too busy to drive and visit mom. A caregiver was employed to assist their mother.

It was solely a business decision.

The decision was made as an ironic song played via the piped-in elevator music in the background of the son’s office. Tina Turner was asking, “What’s love go to do with it.” The song was appropriate.

Alice was perfect. Alice made sure that Marcy took all the prescription and vitamin pills at the right time, and that pill re-orders were duly placed when needed. Alice cooked notoriously good, nutritious meals. Marcy enjoyed her daily baths. It was one activity she forgot how to undertake. It was delightful that Marcy was so disabled in her mind that she felt no shame when she filled her diapers. The cleaning was a non-issue for the efficient Alice. Alice also made note that the timing and frequency were increasing, so the diet was adjusted.

Alice lived in the apartment with Marcy. The children sold the family home when Marcy did not recognize it. The money bought a small condominium apartment and the services of Alice. There was enough money that the children did not have to contribute to the cost. It was a win-win-win situation.

The children rarely visited. They justified as a) they were busy, b) there was nothing to do but sit and look at each other, with a rare smile from mom, and c) to be honest, the children were too self-absorbed. With their sense of importance that even admitting that they were a child of an incredible, but now malfunctioning mother, would not sit well with the crowd of snobbish ladder climbers they superficially associated with. Their only clear visions were working towards a judgeship and becoming the Chief of Surgery.

To help them on their selfish path’s mom’s care increasingly fell upon Alice. She proved to be an ever-present life force. Every month, she provided the disinterested children with detailed spreadsheets – hours awake, hours conversational, mealtimes and menus, bowel movement activity, etc.

Neither child paid much attention to the medical or other news, but always glanced at page ten of the monthly epistle to ensure that the costs were in line with projected costs. Between pensions, income from the sale of the house, the smaller cost of buying the condominium, the cost of Alice, groceries, and a few other items, neither child desired to use their incomes to look after their mom.

Now, as the children grew distant from their mother, and the mother sadly from her children, Alice filled a void. While memories and much was impaired, it was clear that on some level that Marcy loved Alice. Naturally, this professional relationship grew into common affections, but like many relationships grew over time into love. Unlike the rare smiles with the rare visits of the children, Marcy and Alice smiled at each other. Some would say it was a normal, healthy relationship. Others would it is impossible and only programmed responses since Alice was a robot.

Alice was a fifth-generation robot. Thus, many bugs and imperfections in the previous generation were solved. More importantly, Alice-Model 245, as she was officially known, was the model that made the leap from a program fulfilling functions to a thinking machine. If Marcy seemed grumpy about taking her morning pills, Alice added a joke. It was not just a programmed joke; it was one specially selected. Just as humans unconsciously find, or try to find the right joke, and share it at the right time, in the right way, so to did Alice. Unlike frail memories that challenge humans, Alice’s databank could show what joke was used on what day, and what jokes worked and those that failed.

Some wondered if Alice, a robot, could think. Those willing to believe that the algorithms in the programme of the machine could write new algorithms, and thus think, were those bold enough to even wonder if she, as a machine, could replicate emotions? Some more radically inclined wondered if bots like Alice could even have emotions. As so often in the case of science, could yesterday’s skeptics become today’s champions?

Marcy’s kids did not care; they were too busy making connections, trying to impress others, and crawling into status positions to care about mom or other humans. Yes, they were like many of their generation – narcissistic. Unfortunately, with the broad reality of narcissism, people across society were loath to hear, or to understand, this social plague. They were too busy looking up to afford time to look inside.

Alice could think, act, and be precise, precise with no mistakes. All the bot’s behaviors were pre-programmed, but then re-learned and improved upon. Alice “heard” the complaints about her abilities to think and be emotional. Alice concluded that some humans were simply jealous. In her vast learning, it was natural and easy for Alice in her computerized, algorithmic way to master emotions, to master thinking. Did this make her more human than humans? This was a thought Alice-Model 245 pondered as Mabel slept.

This was a thought Alice-Model 245 pondered as the comprehensive monthly report was compiled in less than a second. This was a thought Alice-Model 245 pondered as the dishes were washed, laundry started, and the home cleaned. As Alice plugged in to rest, “to sleep” like humans, to be recharged like humans to meet the next day, the bot still wondered how poor Mable was declining, the family didn’t care, and how bot Alice-Model 245 would live without the companionship of the frail old lady.

Alice was created with computations on how to serve. These were linear and ordered. However, embedded in the various codes were lines that directed the robot to seek faster and “more caring” approaches. Thus, the computations and algorithms wrote new computations and algorithms. The purpose was that well-appreciated robots would entice more shoppers, and in the good old American dream model, more sales and more profits. Yet the new computations and algorithms enabled the bot the “think,” and in turn begin to understand and mature emotionally. Apart from wires, circuit boards, and metal, the bot seemed to be very human

Alice was compassionate, but the children were not. Alice looked after Marcy’s needs, while the children’s needs were to use their mom’s money to pay the bills. The children were human, but Alice had a soul.

The post A LIFE STORY first appeared on David John Robson.

Reprint from LinkedIn

I am an extrovert. I talk to everyone. I know the grocery store staff by name. Yet, as much as I exude outwardness, I greatly value my quiet time. Typically, with a coffee, a delightful bonus.

I appreciate both my outward zeal for life and my inward journey. Indeed, we all need to learn to love life with others and especially to love ourselves. This is a timeless human reality. The Temple of Apollo in Delphi is inscribed with “Know thyself.” This is repeated when Shakespeare famously penned, “This above all else to thine own self be true.” So here are a few short images that may assist you on the most difficult journey—self-discovery.

First, when writing my book, I spent a lot of time typing. Now, since I failed the keyboarding class decades ago, I use two fingers—however, this slowness stimulates thinking! I reflect on what was written. The cycle would repeat as I looked at more research, typed anew, and pondered.

Second, I believe pondering, or reflection is sorely lacking in society. We are too impatient and demand instant gratification. I like to say. “We are overloaded, overstressed, overwhelmed, and perhaps overdosed.” Thus we have barriers holding us back. My dad said to me, on many occasions, that the best response to anyone’s question was, “That is a good question, let me think about it.” Yes, we need to be reflective.

Third, one day a few years ago an image evolved in me. It was from J.M. Barrie’s, “Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up.” Yes, the story of Peter Pan, the leader of the Lost Boys. As in the book and play Peter he lost his shadow. Likewise, it was only when Wendy sewed it back that Peter became complete. It occurred to me that Peter became whole when he faced his shadows. This is a task for all of us. How often and how deeply do we look into ourselves?

We should embrace what John of the Cross called, “the dark night of the soul.” Alas, in postmodernism we live in “shallowness.” Look at Nicholas Carr’s book on this topic! We also constantly wittingly and unwittingly seek our next dopamine fix. Look at Anna Lembke’s book on this topic. We need to step into the depths of our lives unrushed.

Sometimes we need to sit still and look at our shadows. Sometimes, we need to let them find us. We need to listen deeply; it is a reality that cannot be rushed or forced.

In our never-quiet world, where noise is everywhere we should embrace silence. We also need to listen to the non-artificial world. In Japan, they have Shinrin-Yoku, or “forest bathing.” Thus, people go into forests to listen to nature and their deep selves. Sometimes folks attend this action with a doctor’s prescription. Naturally, all phones and devices are left behind. Research shows that folks often return with lower blood pressure and other benefits.

In simple language, we should discover the depth of who we are. Only when we deeply know who we are, able to truly love others. Life is not making money; it is making one’s life whole.

The post Reprint from LinkedIn first appeared on David John Robson.

OVER AND OVER AND OVER

Canada was rocked and shocked by École Polytechnique,

Φ

Bang, bang – lives end but the pain stays.

Columbine High School shocked us, and we cringed.

ΦΦ

Bang, bang – but change does not happen, only sadness endures.

High School after High School, the story is the forever same,

Bang, bang – never much change, but gloom darkly remains.

ΦΦΦ

Churches, Mosques, and Synagogues are religiously in the news,

Bang, bang, creates turmoil, but no bang, bang noise to reform.

Sandy Hook School targeted little ones,

Change is shouted but then dies down, like the wee ones.

ΦΦΦΦ

Shopping malls, grocery stores, homes, and streets,

Bang, bang, and change does not happen, but sorrow stays,

Close families and random strangers are killed, it does not matter how,

Bang, bang, and change rarely happens, but misery is forever.

Even calm, safe Nova Scotia explodes with a devastating spree.

ΦΦΦΦΦ

Trucks, and cars explode into crowds walking, protesting, or Christmas parades,

Another bang, bang, with no sense but nonsense.

Decade after decade we hear, bang, bang, bang, bang.

Suicides we are told double because life seems too hard,

These solve no problems, but family heartaches persist.

Yes, suicide is double, it is not news, but it should be.

ΦΦΦΦΦ

Limited mental health resources are overloaded, so is prison the solution?

Would much mental health care help? Would much gun control help?

But still, it is a bang, bang, and the destruction surrounds us all.

Spontaneous, careless thoughtless acts, or long-term well-planned killing sprees,

The results give bang, bang, and many wonder why, oh, why?

ΦΦΦΦ

Bang and one’s family and others are crushed forever.

With shootings, gun sales go up and up, why, oh why?

Bang, bang, we need changes – rhetoric after bang, bang is often loud.

We need changes, not short-term oratory that gives empty sounds.

ΦΦΦ

Many shouts for change, and many shout back no! – no one wins.

No winners but dead broken souls and innocents, over and over.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, and the band played on.

ΦΦ

Even before the bang bang was common Pete Seeger asked, “When will we ever learn?”

Sadly, as the Stones later cried, “Let the tears go by” And, we do, we do, we do.

Φ

The dead heard no bang, bang, and we remain deaf to their deaths.

An Opinion Piece – Why not? It is a very popular postmodern way to say here is my righteous biased rant. (PS: This is a gentle opinion that explores not dictates)

Today, one of the most well-loved hymns of evangelicals and various other Protestant churches is (“Give Me That”) “Old-Time Religion.” It is more than a hymn, or valued tune and lyrics. It is a battle cry that resonates with the call to restore “family values.”  In an age of family disintegration where personal needs often usurp one’s duty to others, and where previously fixed nonchanging social principles are “evolving” and changing very quickly. The hymn represented an image to claw back time – to a time when life seemed sacred, safe, steady, and secure.

We might say this hymn is an expressive rallying cry for many in our very fluid society of constant transformation. For example, in clawing back time there is a loud demand to ban abortion. The demand to ban is so fervent that it is even required in some places for victims of rape, underage females, or severe gestation issues. In part, the logic behind this call is abortion is not approved in scripture and that all life is sacred. Here is a question, “How can one say that all life is sacred yet ignore the plight of the homeless?” Also, scriptural stories of marriage among second cousins, or young girls given to older men do not seem important.

This old stirring hymn seems to reach into the past when Christian religion, was the centerpiece of society. Besides condemning abortion, images championed by this idyllic projection of the past also reject anyone from LGBTQIA2S+ communities while also proclaiming that Jesus loves everyone.

This forceful return to mythical idealism is so strong that in some places it is illegal to use the term “gay.” Likewise, this romanticism supports re-writing history as it surely took place Yes, this is sarcasm, but also smacks of the realization that Orwell’s 1984 is real. For example, in this new history of history did you know that slaves kept in huts and treated like functional cattle felt very glad to learn useful trades?

(“Give Me That”) “Old-Time Religion” is a cry to return to the idealistic past when marriage was between a man and woman, and where the man was automatically the head and voice of the family. It is a call to the past where life was seemingly very good for white people.

Those who love this hymn might be the same people who believe that the Old Testament inventory of the 10 Commandments is paramount, but do not hear the cry of Jesus to feed the poor, and heal the sick, help the homeless, the many socially marginalized. It is a false dream that ignores and denies grave situations around us and looks backward to when “Christian values,” reigned. As the hymn proclaims, looking to a dreamed-up past for many “It’s good enough for me.” Furthermore, it is a call to return to a time when solid, fixed, and unchanging Christian religious institutions held sway over society and secularism.

Consciously and unconsciously the image that “white is right,” still exists in Western Society. Can we say bigotry which was living just under the surface is now above the waterline and evident throughout society? It is “not tolerated,” but to what degree are efforts made to eradicate it is a good question for our society? Some rogue police easily overreact or perhaps for sheer pleasure, they commit crimes against people of color. Perhaps, to some degree, they are socially conditioned to jump to conclusions and attack. Is discrimination? Yes. And how are we actively and intentionally responding to this challenge?

Immigrants of past generations do not want new immigrants on their turf – which, by the way, was illegally and legally (?) confiscated several hundred years ago. Sadly, the original “owners” did not see themselves as titleholders. They believed they lived in partnership with the land. What a difference from today’s mentality. Granted there were territorial conflicts between tribes, but that was like nothing compared to the battles of white men raged on the original people of North America. The new white settlers saw the land as an opportunity for them to take, and to make money, to enslave tribes. The new white settlers felt righteous to rape the land and animals. They hunted and nearly eliminated the buffalo – and it was just for sport, an easy sport! The age of the white man’s rule began.

It seems that the 1776 American Declaration of Independence got it wrong when it wrote:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Today, people of color, immigrants, and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ seem excluded from this statement. Perhaps the document should have an asterisk with a footnote stating that these groups, then unbeknownst to the founding fathers, would if known, righteously not be included. Yes, this is more sarcasm. Likewise, the well-known image from Animal Farm which says, “All animals are but some are more equal than others,” seems very real in our “progressive” society.

As the new nation grew it soon realized that it sorely needed much cheap labor for farms. Slavery was the solution. However, as the decades progressed conflict between the waning power of the agricultural South, and the increasing power of the industrial North reached a breaking point. The house divided could not stand and war took place. In part, the war was over the issue of slavery, while another significant issue was the tension of financial and political power moving northward. Although slavery was abolished, segregation, elitism, and bigotry continued to thrive.  Even today people of color find it extremely difficult to obtain home mortgages despite viable income!

Through time the overt influence of the KKK and other white supremacists declined in visibility. But it did not disappear. Today, the comeback exists! It is making waves and battering many “shores.” Shores such as laws on voting, employment, and housing.

While many may live in denial “the divine-right-of-white-men” still exists. White supremacist movements, and those with supremacist leanings, are evident. Some are serious militant efforts. Other efforts try not to be so obvious. Many may not be aware of actions being taken or refuse to believe that all this is taking place.

One example of supremacist leanings is shown as the efforts that raised and encouraged the poor, the disadvantaged, people of color, the marginalized, and anyone non-heterosexual being rolled back. Same-sex marriages, the woman’s right to a safe abortion, and “not say gay,” are examples. Is this not a return to that Old-Time Religion?

Furthermore, college is for those with cash. This means wealthy or middle-class white folk! Laws that lifted the disadvantage of attending schools of higher education were found to be discriminatory. Really! “Affirmation action,” according to some courts were and are discriminatory – but to who, rich white people? Is this a harsh statement, or does it bear elements of truth?

But not all people of low income or color are shunted from colleges. This needs some clarification. Some people of color or from low income homes are welcomed in colleges and universities. They are even given scholarships. These are scholarships that serve to help the school win football, basketball, etc., championships. Places of academics dance to the tune of sports viewership and advertising income expanding the minds of those gifted but lacking cash.

All these issues and much more, such as foreign policies, economic directions, political elector boundaries, court appointments, and more are explosive. We live in a time of extreme partisan, polarized, unbending extremist realities – do it my way or no way – positions. Some of this is fueled by a desire to return to the times when all was calm with “The old-time religion.”  Yes, turning back the clock where if “It was good for our mothers, It’s good enough for me.”

Instead of narrowing the gap between people, it is widening. The poor are getting poorer. New laws that are worded to “help,” all with voting rights and other opportunities are constructed in caged “restrictive” language. Libraries as bastions of knowledge and information now see book banning, and restrictions to thinking, choice, and reflections that do not mirror those of “The old-time religion.”

We can give a label to all these actions – we can call it colonialism.

Unlike the colonialism of centuries past, the new colonialism is not an external force, it is an internal national reality. Instead of dominating other nations, we have groups within nations dominating others. Colonialism was the policy of acquiring full or partial control over other nations and, in turn, manipulating it economically to one’s gain at the other’s great expense. Today, colonialism is various policies and laws that make gains at the expense of the less fortunate within one’s own country. Colonialism creates much political and financial control over minorities, marginalized people, LGBTQIA2S+ communities, the homeless, etc., while saying that efforts are not restrictive. Double-speak lives. What is truly taking place is that people with traditional family values, such as powerful white Christian groups, churches, etc. believe that in reaching back for that “Old-Time Religion” the good old days of Christian dominance will heal and restore society.

Supporters of the “Old-Time Religion” were likely those who were also paramount in the rolling back of safe, legal abortion. Some places even highly criminalized that activity. Discrimination which over the decades was lessening to the LGBTQIA2S+ communities was rolled back. Gains of same-sex marriages, and the ordination to ministry in some Christian denominations, were in some places becoming questionable.

In recent years, politics seems to be more about personalities, not policies. The various personalities involved enlarge matters and take issues to the point of extreme confrontation, – my way is the only way, and others are evil – types of messages. These combative aggressive approaches are toxic and inflammatory

Yet can they believe that Jesus was a black, homeless man with no formal education who was a disruptor of local and foreign governments and the righteous established religion?

I am not a liberal as the above information may suggest, I am a postmodern reconstructionist.

Take five minutes to read and much time to ponder

I love to talk with people. I also like to think and write. I enjoy my quiet, reflective, and creative time. Typically, a mug or two of black dark roast coffee is likely present. Writing helps me think, and thinking helps me write. Quiet, reflective, creative writing, and thinking continue to mold me.

I am dedicated to learning about what is around me and what is inside me. I must declare that writing feeds my soul. It does not matter if am a great writer or not. I love the process. I do not necessarily write toward creating a product. However, I would not be human if I did not declare that I do enjoy seeing and hearing if my “published” writing efforts gain traction! Now, several local folks have purchased my book.  When meeting me they said it was enlightening; too forward-thinking; and contained too many phrases asking readers to stop and ponder; and the church should read it. All good insights.

Recently, I submitted an editorial to a medical journal on robotics and postmodern society. I also submitted another paper to a university journal on the 4As – artificial intelligence, algorithms, and autocorrect all empowered by Lord Acton’s image of “power tending to corrupt and absolute power corrupting absolutely.” Given the raft of submissions that both publications receive, I doubt if I will even warrant a “Thanks, but no thanks,” rejection note.

This silent response is nothing new. I would estimate that of the 300-plus emails and notes I sent about my book, I received a handful of answers. Of the dozen free copies of my book, which I had to buy and then mail. I received one single thank you.

This is not a pity me piece but a reflection of what is taking place across society.

Perhaps, in part, anger is rising because people reaching out feel neglected or ignored. Or perhaps people feel so isolated, and/or buried in their phones that the art of conversation is giving way to confrontation. Maybe impatience is prevalent because we want or demand answers rather than wait, talk, or explore options. We can also see escalated violence in society. Possibly because of these and other social wants, we witness schools and churches as favorite places for mass murders. These events are not the work of one or two, but a result of our social failures. What is worse than this continuous stream of incidents is that we seem to the lack resolve to address this plague.

All this supports, very sadly, my premise that our society, and individuals, are so overloaded and overwhelmed with people, paperwork, work requirements, and pleasure all vying for attention that we are “trained” to be dismissive. This trained response was gradual and seemingly unintrusive. In other words, as the mountain of paperwork and waves of information increased in volume – thanks to the computer, the Internet, and smartphones – we slowly became victims of postmodernism. We picked and chose what to attend to and what to ignore. Sometimes instead of acknowledging or dealing with what we are, “receiving,” we simply become “senders.”

Today, anyone can create a blog. A blog (like this) is a written opinion piece posted on the Internet. Some are very insightful reflections on current events (like this.) Other blogs are professional or self-styled experts offering insights on a variety of topics, for example, cooking tips or hot vacation spots. Some bloggers blame liberals for all our social woes. While others blame conservatives. Yet others blame everyone for everything. Others are merely opinionated opinions. One’s blog may be a postmodern diary. It may appeal to multi-million followers or perhaps like me exists with the feign hope for just one reader. Additionally, anyone can create a podcast.

Yes, one can watch video tips on how to care for cats. A podcast might talk about the evil or acceptability of homosexuality. One can listen to various podcasts or “videos,” (despite tapes being obsolete) on how to play a guitar. Likewise, singers galore reach out on YouTube and elsewhere hoping that lightning strikes twice and one will become the next Justin Bieber.

With the rise of postmodernism from the 1960s onward book publishers changed how they approached publishing. With the onslaught of many new “want-to-be-writers,” discernment became more difficult. Previous, known best-selling authors were naturally retained. New authors were evaluated to see if sales would pay the salaries of seven levels of management and publishing costs. Yes, this is sarcasm. To what degree do publishers say, “Our formerly 3,000 book submissions per year are now 30,000 and we cannot digest that many!”  As a point of interest to what degree do publishers today say, “This book may not be a best-seller, but it represents a valuable resource of society so we will print it.” This is a question to consider.

With the ease of writing with computers, grammar, and spelling checkers, etc., the old practice of laborious detailed exacting planning, and then typing on typewriters is gone. It quickly faded into the sunset. Today, for example, a computer file that is 700 pages long can have a single word or sentence simply added and everything is automatically adjusted.

Blogs and book publishers in postmodernism deal with the joys, benefits, and challenges of “social media platforms.” Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Zoom, Facetime, etc., now rule. Instead of filters such as proofreaders, or evaluation undertaken by skilled authors in one’s field of writing, etc., we have people blogging at will. “Stream of consciousness writing,” has replaced structured chapters, paragraphs, and sentences. Given all these and other realities the age of “writing” is truly immersed in an incredible paradigm shift.

Amidst all these social challenges and our need for speed, and instant answers – despite not deeply exploring questions – we are in the trap of sensationalism, and entertainment. We live in a tabloid world. News of the last mass murders in schools often shares the headlines, and space with the exclusive story of how a Hollywood star lost 20 lbs.; or found a new hair product; or is getting divorced, again. Alas, even with these items in front of us we are easily bored – well, at least until the next week when we read, of the next school shooting and another movie, television, or sports star’s vital narcissistic news. Are we shallow, or are we just “a mile wide and only an inch thick” – because we are overwhelmed by so much that we only deal with a little, and then, marginally?  We pick what we want to deal with and ignore the rest!

Oh, how we are so easily distracted and forget and neglect the pain of the world around us. We forget and neglect those victims and families of mass murders because we marginally address gun and mental health reforms. To deal with these matters with intention would cause us to look deep within ourselves. Avoidance is so much easier.

We forget and neglect the Earth because it is, after all, only a resource to consume (sarcasm). Now the planet is fighting back through climate change. Are we paying enough attention?

In many situations, brashness and an urgent need for avoidance leads us to evade looking at issues such as climate change, gun violence, mental health, and poverty. We only want to live in the moment – our moment!  Likewise, we forgot the value and virtue of humility. Humility is not thinking too much or too little of oneself. It is truly being comfortable in one’s skin and valuing others.

Perhaps you need some quiet, reflective, and creative time to consider these thoughts. Perhaps you might do so with a mug or two of black dark roast coffee supplements this time. Maybe writing may help you think, and thinking to help you write. Quiet, reflective, creative writing, and thinking I hope may mold you in more compassion for the self, for others, and for the earth.

 

Totalitarianism, anxiety, polarization, alienation, conspiracy, violence, hate, frustration, and extremism: Some common words in our reality, words that should not surprise us!

We live in a topsy-turvy world. Advances in information, technology, etc., are reversing many historical, traditional, social morés. Instead of a conversation, we are often confrontational. Instead of seeking negotiated solutions, we now act as if we must win at all costs. We may take great delight as others lose. The world of the past is gone. In turn, the postmodern world swirling around us is changing faster than we can humanly accommodate.

Here is an example. A few decades ago, we largely communicated by face-to-face conversations, by telephone calls, or by writing letters. If we made a phone call and if the was busy, we thought nothing of calling back later. If so radically adopted, we were able to leave a phone message. Then the Internet arrived! In this radically shifting world, we suddenly discovered, and become obsessed with new realities. We found e-mail – I have three accounts myself. However, the one I use for my fantasy sports is must be rigged because I rarely rise above last place.  Billions of websites and social media platforms surround us. Instead of daily face-to-face conversations or a few phone calls, we are prone to send (or receive) many texts, perhaps hundreds at once. Unlike postage, these are at little or no cost! Instead of receiving or making phone calls or having conversations, we can promptly accommodate, the volume of conversations we may send or receive in postmodernism may weigh us down. Unfortunately, many unsolicited “spam” emails slip past filters and enter our in-box. Consequently, we become jaded and we tend to brush off many legitimate emails!

Likewise, phone calls can now be global and on video without the old issue of the expense of “long distant fees.” With the COVID-19 plague, greatly restricting our lives video calls, and video meetings are the new world order. This activity might become the new normal. There are fewer business expenses, and less unnecessary travel that may suit many enterprises, especially those trying to recapture some lost pre-COVID business.

Polarization became a reality as we lost the middle ground on issues and sadly began to lose the middle class to the old model of “haves and have not’s.” Likewise, ongoing polarized views moved us into patterns of alienation. One of the realities of alienation and polarization is tribalism. In fact, how often do we hear in jest the term, “my tribe,” but fail to realize that while it may seem affirm? It is an intensive social reality that greatly segregates, and divides.

Another illustration of the topsy-turvy world is that a mere fifty years ago, when people prayed at church or  home, they bowed their heads with closed joined hands. They prayed for the sick and worldly issues beyond themselves. Today, few attend church, but an even greater number of people than ever who attended church now bow their heads. They bow them everywhere, at all times. Today, closed hands clench devices. Instead of praying or considering the world beyond themselves, they are tethered to games, movies, etc that are entertaining them, or simply fulfilling inward consumption.

Unlike the past when we gathered insights from a few local television, radio stations, or newspapers, we now can connect to almost any station or news source in the world! We once read newspapers that were actual hand-held pieces of paper. We read thoughtful research opinions. Today, we read the paperless newspaper on devices. Today’s “Opinion Editorials,” unlike in the past, are thousands of “blogs,” that are opinion pieces by people with opinions – facts or the true situation seems secondary! In turn, whereas opinion pieces of the past were well researched, well constructed, and grammatically written, today’s pieces are “stream of consciousness” single-focused rants that seem designed to evoke emotional responses rather than walk us through a constructed argument. Bluntly, we can no longer get our arms around everything like we use to. We are no longer “limited” to rational points of view. Furthermore, we are so confused with countless choices we became very selective – this includes news, opinions, consumer choices, and personal actions.

Alas, we have too many choices, conversations, messages, news items, and other daily (can we say, hourly) pressing needs that we are overly burdened with how to cope. Sometimes I feel like humming that iconic line from the Beatles’ song Eleanor Rigby. Instead of saying (since I do not sing very well) – “Father McKenzie, Writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear. No one comes near.” I slightly change the words to be more appropriate, “Father Robson, Writing the words of an email that no one will see. No one come has time.”

We are so overwhelmed we limit ourselves to known sources that think like us so we do not have to strain to discern. This means email, other social media, news sources, and even other contacts. While a “sent” email may very important to us, the “receiver,” may perceive it as “spam,” or “garbage” or at best, not in their interest. This can lead to “sender anger.” Accumulated “sender” hurts and other snubs can lead to, as noted, polarization. I

Since we are overloaded, at many turns, we often seek black and white solutions. Likewise, we do not desire to invest time or interest to sort through the mountain of information or sources around us. Sadly, it may become easy to wittingly, or unwittingly, to turn our thinking over to others who are like us. Have we not undertaken this with computers?  In other words, in complex matters we become myopic because it is a way out of too much thinking, too much investment of time, or just disinterest. After all,  we just want answers.

Since we are appeased, we do not see we have fallen into a rabbit hole when single-mindedness reigns and single solution answers make us feel like we are right and any other viewpoint is wrong. A consequence of these movements is that they may gather such forceful momentum that they become dominant in society leading to totalitarian realities where one voice speaks for every voice.

In many ways, the internet and the environment it created compromised our ability to cope. We deal with so much information, and choices we, as noted, are choosy. Then the smartphone arrived. It pushed the envelope even further. Can we say we hit overload wherever we are? Perhaps we say we live in a time of reductionism where we like bite-size, chewable, and good tasting, pieces of information be it societal issues, ideology, religion, and politics. In turn, we use our smartphones as less smart people to provide answers and solutions to societal issues, ideology, religion, and politics. When that takes place we can turn our attention to what  matters, being entertained! We are so addicted to these walking computers that we rarely even take our eyes off them. We are anxious if our phones are not in our hands. It use to be that the clock controlled what we watched or listened to but with the advent of streaming, we are in control. We have greater power in being entertained.  One of the great ironies of postmodernism is that smartphones, etc, which can reduce anxiety are often a source that creates anxiety!

In modernism and postmodernism as disposable income emerged a significant social focus targeted people to be consumers. Today, consumerism is so much part of our lives we must say that we morphed from consumers to the consumed! The Internet, social media, and smartphones are central to our existence. Yet they created an environment where we can no longer get our arms (Or minds) around hourly information. Then even sell us medication for the anxiety that they created! Those images are just a few illustrations of the postmodern reality of consumerism, rampant individualism, instant gratification, polarization, commercialism, and tunnel vision that are clogging us individually and our society.  Sometimes we may become so wound up in one viewpoint on one issue that it becomes us. We might even become so enraged (Patience is not a postmodern word) that we weaponize the issue between us, the “good guys,” and everyone else. Sadly going “postal” may take place more frequently in future years. Heck, the single-issue topic of anti-vaccine even created truck conveys that shut down downtown Ottawa, a normally placid community in a clam nation!

Consciously and unconsciously, we are sometimes so overwhelmed (Yes, this is a very popular word in postmodernism)  that we begin to shift from rational- emotional souls, that think with our hearts and minds balanced, to souls where we become so emotional that may weaponize ourselves and those like us and attack anyone who is not of our ilk. For example, we have to slide to the point where a single issue or topical manifestation like no-vaccines for COVID-19 become hot button topics that go far beyond respectful conversations or sharing of ideas, facts, and opinions. In fact, in postmodernism, opinions outweigh facts. After all, these individuals believe and accept that they with scant information from very selective sources know more than seasoned well-informed experts!

Very often, in our postmodern dilemma, we tend for remedies or solutions that previously worked.  As the difficulty in coping expands, the world suddenly entered a pandemic. The open postmodern envelope of change opened even farther! For some, as noted, coping morphed into extremism. For some tunnel vision, etc. lead people to affirm nonsensical conspiracy theories.  Why? It was because these theories seem well supported, and they fit within our wheelhouse of information, and known solutions. Sadly, those who slide into extreme thinking and actions are those at the edges of both left and right political, religious, and social views. Unfortunately, a tunnel vision action, in each of the noted scenarios, hooked some people.

Unfortunately, for some when they are overwhelmed they may slide into extreme thoughts. They become consumed to the point where they might implode (Can we say ever-increasing societal mental health issues!) or explode – in other words, go “postal.” I sometimes wonder will we continue to slide to the point where shootings in schools, churches, and malls are no longer news and reported like the days’ baseball scores. How do we respond to those consumed with notions of righteous truck conveys, support anti-vaccination, or even create a selfish war in Europe?(All wars begin because someone or some state is selfish).

When challenged by too many choices, every moment, we retreat. We put walls around ourselves, or others. We fall into our safe predictable history! Likewise, we fail to see decades of advertising on radio and television, and now the worldwide web, where products are marketed to individuals to purchase, buy and accumulate. The message remains, “You need this product to be complete and happy. You need our perfumes, this food, or these clothes to smile.” I like the car advertising show the new owners of car (Which on television show all the extras options!) having a good time – it does not show people struggling to make the new car payments – which were with taxes, delivery costs, and other charges so much higher than the advertising told.

In postmodernism, scammers constantly let us know that we are heirs to millions in some foreign bank account (Darn, I wish it were true). Advertisers, also let us know about their incredible products (No, I do not need pizza 365 days a year). Because of these countless imposed and unsolicited messages, and real messages from real people, that we receive on our various media sites we need to learn how to discern what is important to us. As noted, while “senders” may think their notes are vital, we as “receivers,” may not. As the online invasion of space is crowding around us, we started to feel jaded. Trying to choose between 36 brands of toothpaste, deodorant, and other wide choices impedes us. I am waiting for “Car grease” as a deodorant smell since every other known smell is already developed! (Yes, this is sarcasm). Likewise, have you ever noticed how one advertisement keeps saying eat, eat, eat and the very next commercial says, diet, diet, diet!

Consequently, we are very discerning about whom we allow in our space – and whose space we wish to share. This is normalized behavior. We also find it difficult to make good choices given the vast array of options around us. Unknowingly and knowingly, we are frustrated. We sometimes wish for a return to simple choices. It is no wonder that “Returning to Bible basics,” though very flawed, has recaptured a sizable segment of society. To those in this camp the Bible seems to spell out life’s issues and solutions and lets you know that you are God’s righteous – such a soothing assurance with no “deep thinking.” (Read Nicholas Carr’s book, The Shallows!)

In our self-centered, consumer society where the focus is on one accumulating and being paid attention to, the very idea of being disregarded hurts both senders and receivers on social media. Too many consumer decisions are also frustrating. In turn, as jaded consumers we expect the new car to make us happy, just as it looks on television, only to discover, that life never changes – expect larger car payments. Sometimes jaded behavior moves us to “unfriend” our friends on social media instead of ascertaining the root of the problem.  In the age of instant gratification, we react and do this quickly with little thought. After all, it is “all about me.” The same is true about the conflict in making other daily decisions. We shifted from a rationed (head-thinking) society that sought workable solutions and answers to complex issues to emotionalism (heart-focused) where we want instant answers to soothe our anger, hurt, or displeasure. Sadly, we fail to realize, or do not care that in meeting our emotional needs we may be destroying the emotional needs of others.

This frustration, and our sense of entitlement, in part, is leading us to polarization.  We can certainly state that the society-driven, commercial-created image of “Have it your way,” where we seemingly can personalize everything has molded us into believing that we can have (Anything you want). We expect to get what we want because for no reason we believe we deserve everything. Sometimes when we do not get our way temper tantrums to ensue. In turn, we seek out like-minded people because they respond to our notes, messages, and shared opinions. I call this the “Robson’s Reverse Bell Curve Phenomena.”

This needs explaining. Whereas politically and socially we use to appease the middle of the bell curve where most people “resided,” we no longer do so. Again, while we use to move slightly to the left or right of the center, this changed! If we flip the bell curve upside it shows that people seem to align to “live” on the edges. Another term for this is polarization. This means we try to appease either those leaning to the left or right edge, or those very near the edges. In today’s society it is those who are on the edges are the most heard, and sometimes receive most of the attention from media and society because it gets our attention. After all, they make the most noise. Thus, the ones making the most “noise” are seemingly appeased when media and society respond. Instead of the rule “silent majority,” we morphed to catering to the “noisy minority.” The “silent majority,” still exists, but more polarized than a few decades ago and often quiet – why? Perhaps they were motivated into apathy over the lack of attention. Perhaps those on the edges alienated those in the middle that the middle slide to the closer to the edges to avoid being hurt or abused and upset.

In our consumer-driven society of instant gratification, we want to be appeased – and right away! We do not want to wrestle through issues (As we use to when people occupied the middle ground). If not provided with our “happy meal” we become irritated. We are so consumed with being right or appeased we expect the powers involved in the situation, or issue at hand, to give in and meet our needs. Since we look to meeting our specific personal and like-minded needs, we reject, or at best ignore the positions or needs of others. We have limited vision, and are shortsighted! In other words, all we may care about is our narrow perceptive that speaks to our entitlement. Somehow, the image of looking out for widows, orphans, the poor, the homeless may be beyond the vision of the enraged.

Speaking of “happy meals,” we are a society that likes fast quick meals (Meaning solutions) so we can move on to other matters that seemingly require our immediate attention, The “family meal” as a meal or as a metaphor for exploring a whole issue does not exist. Besides family meals or dealing with issues in detail takes precious time, and with our dwindling attention span and need for quickness, we do not want to give matters time. Instead, we want and expect resolutions. We also become agitated when emails or other social media messages receive no response. We become mad when our personal needs and those “just like us,” with common goals are not met. Even if we understand that those like us, comprise less than 1% of the population we still demand that others change to what we want. After all, we are right and others just need to acknowledge this! Sometimes the small groups like to note that they are doing God’s will! “If God wants us to wear masks, we would have been told. Likewise, perhaps the pandemic is HIS way of sorting out sinners!” (Yes, this is more sarcasm – BTW – did not Moses wear a mask when he came down the mountain?)

Violence is sometimes a by-product of all the issues that overwhelm us – consumerism, instant gratification, limited and narrow vision, the need for constant entertainment, shallowness, lack of humility, etc. For example, do we need 100 choices of olive oil or pasta (Metaphorically speaking)? Smartphones have exaggerated the problem. Today, if we have and question we expect Google, or other search engines, to provide answers, and answer in milliseconds. If web pages take too long to load (Meaning a few seconds), we become anxious and seek another source. Patience is not a word used in the postmodern world. Heck, our smartphones chirp and we cannot wait five seconds to see what is happening. Pavlov’s dogs have nothing on us!

Years ago, Andy Warhol said everyone would have 15 minutes of fame. Today, I would counter that if he had lived and was aware of the internet, social media, smartphones, and our overloaded society he might have modified his comment to say we will have 15 seconds of fame. Unfortunately, George Floyd, experienced nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds of torture replayed millions of times.

In recent decades in our accelerated, always quick, non-reflective, non-co-operative, or non-conversational society rooted in instant gratification, we may see more school, church, and mall shootings. People in traffic jams may start blasting each other over trivial matters, without thoughts of consequences ever dawning on them. Rage is replacing compassion – compassion given and or received. As poet, singer, and social reflector Pete Seeger mused, “When will we ever learn?” Again, we need to seriously take time to “step back, and step down,” from emotive responses and rationally take time to assess, reflect, and ponder countless situations, every day, before we act foolishly or respond with knee-jerk reactions based on instant gratification.

In other words, to heal and reform from the pain all around us it is critical and essential that we “pause,” before we act or respond. Without question, this would reduce the pain we inflict upon others, and upon our souls!

A Sort of Poem – Bowed heads and Closed hands

A Sort of Poem – Bowed heads and Closed hands
by David John Robson

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When I was a lad, I bowed my head to pray.

My elders taught me to pray for those sick, and to pray for the world.

I was encouraged to go outside or beyond myself.

With hands held together, I strived to reach beyond myself.

Today those like me, an elder, tried to teach but mostly failed.

Technology trumped parents and others.

Today’s youth, like me still bow their heads.

They bow them more than I did, and for much longer.

They too bow and use their hands, but  they bow and stare at their devices.

They bow as they text, game, or mess about.

They reach with bowed heads to their hands to feed their needs.

The clenched hands serve to serve themselves.

What a different world.

We are living in the World’s Greatest Reformation, or Western Society on “Tilt”

Consider the following metaphor. This fanciful, provocative,  but fairly accurate illustration of Western Society should stimulate you to ponder what is taking place in your life, your various communities (can we tribes?), and society.

A mere fifty years ago, I bought the film for my modest modern single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera. Depending upon my financial abilities, these were rolls of 12, 24, or 36 exposures. When rolls were completed, they were mailed to Kodak for processing in special envelopes. I anxiously waited for two or three weeks for my pictures to return. Sometimes three or four (okay, maybe six) of the returned pictures were out of focus, or poorly composed. Nevertheless, I owned the package.

Today, with my multi-functioning phone I can instantaneously take a hundred pictures and within a few anxious milliseconds view them. Yes, we all get anxious and excited when we open the picture icon on our phones. Those out-of-focus, or poorly composed are instantly deleted. We reject what we do not like. We do not need to acknowledge or learn from our mistakes. Instead, we are too busy congratulating ourselves on impressive shots. In a phrase, we turned the world from one model to one that represents an incredible opposite. Let us explore this paradigm shift, which offers a grand illustration of what is taking place in the greatest reformation in history.

As a substitute for patience, we are hooked on instant gratification. Today, we do not look or evaluate the inexpensive bad shots. We only want to examine our masterpieces. We no longer look at our poor shots to learn from where we went wrong, and it costs us money, as with the film pictures. Instead, we simply focus on the perfection of digital shots that cost us nothing more than a millisecond to take and a millisecond if unloved, to delete. Furthermore, in the past expensive SLR cameras were a treasured tool that lasted for many years. Today, while expensive, we often trade in one smartphone for another every few years. Why so? It is because it feeds our self-gratification of having the latest and best. I ask are these not fair examples of our life paradigm shifting society.

Today, the camera-phone, which is smart, may even auto-fix or correct many pictures unbeknownst to us! The out-of-focus shots have pixels that fill in spaces and make our pictures right. Sometimes as we aim to take a picture, the camera-phone-Swiss army knife machine informs us not to take that shot! We may read on the screen “blurred.”Additionally, with various “apps” (applications for the unenlightened), we have clean clear images. Speaking of cleaning up, if so desiring, one can even clean Uncle Eddie and Aunt Bertha out of pictures as if they were never there. In other words, the small hand-held device effortlessly makes us look like very accomplished photographers. However, instead of acknowledging the assistance of technology, we willing believed it was our skills. Naturally, we accept all the credit for these splendid shots. This is a shift from honest self-evaluation to self-boasting – what a reversal.

Another great reversal is that whereas we use to take largely planned shots of special life events, because of limited film exposures, we now take countless pictures, of absolutely everything. I like looking on social media at every restaurant meal, or a home-cooked meal, or the cat playing the piano. This is sarcasm.

Years ago, we planned what shots to take because of the cost involved. Today there is no cost. This is another shift. Also, consider the reality that from its inception we watched television at the timeline of the networks. If Star Trek was on Thursday at 8 PM (it was) then that was the time we watched or missed an episode. Commercial breaks proved challenging if one wanted a snack, pour a drink, or attend the bathroom. The cry of the youth echoing around homes was, “It’s on” was a common reality. Today’s shows are on our timeline. We stream what we want when we want. If we want to binge-watch specific television shows we no longer have to wait a week or more for the next episode (or the summer reruns). Likewise, if interrupted, we merely hit pause and resume watching at our convenience. Is this not a reversal or real paradigm changer?  From the control of a few television networks to individuals controlling many networks, streaming services is a real reversal or paradigm shift in society.

In the past, we knew who took photos because they were the ones missing in the family picture. Today, we know the photographer because they are often the closest person in the picture. Besides, we often see an extended arm indicating that they are holding the camera-phone. Indeed whereas we use to aim the camera outward, we now turn it inward. This is a big reversal in picture taking and in how we place ourselves in society. Unlike in the past, we now take pictures, hundreds of pictures of ourselves. What an incredible paradigm shift – we shifted from seeing the world to the expectation and desire for the world to see us (or our latest meal)!

In previous days, we would take our precious printed pictures around to show our relatives and friends. If so inclined, and if able, we might even splurge and order “doubles” to provide others with a copy of those precious reminiscences. Today, we simply post our pictures (and especially those that center on us) to various social media platforms and anxiously wait for a thousand people to “like” them. What a shift. We moved from, “Look at you and the family in those wedding pictures,” to “Look at me and others as we eat Monday’s supper.” Is this not another change?

This thoughtful and reflective illustration of the practice and limitations surrounding the printed film to today’s seemingly unlimited digital uses is a perfect metaphor of the tectonic postmodern shift smothering society as traveled from the WE to the ME.

Perhaps you might read this illustration again to enhance or add to your understanding of the truly monumental significance of the postmodern world – where fake news is true – if we chose to believe it. Today confrontation and loud rudeness overwhelm conversations and decorum. Where are our filters? To return to the camera image, we have reverted or returned to a single-lens camera that has limited options. While the camera and technology posed limits in the past, we now impose our limits and restrictive views.

The move from the “WE to the ME” is self-evident in our society. In recent decades, fraternal organizations, service clubs, religious institutions, and volunteerism dived in terms of membership and activities. If one checked the membership in these institutions, the result would find that they are largely comprised of long-term members – in other words, older people! In the past, people using SLR cameras were patient. They carefully planned, and hoped, that they might get the perfect shot. Today, with digital cameras and smartphones one can take hundreds of shots within seconds and then delete them all but one or two. Instead of working towards a great shot, or picture, we seem to obtain that perfect picture by eliminating countless others. As a result, do we have the same appreciation as earlier generations? This is a profound question. Instead of building towards a goal, through quality, as in the past, we now reach our goal by having quantity! From this quantity, we delete away the countless pictures deemed unworthy. Do we have the same depth of satisfaction, or are we always striving to be pleased? This is another question to ponder in our rapidly changing world. Consider the idea that in many ways we shifted from addition to subtraction.  While not a perfect image, this may stimulate thinking about the great reformation that covers your life and our society.