Too Much Time On Our Hands?

February 10, 2017 Linda L. Esterson

I hit send on the 14th “Words with Friends” move and then beat a few levels of “Toy Blast.” Then, I scrolled my Twitter and Facebook news feeds and watched a funny video featuring a dog and a child.

Then, I happened upon a post from a high school friend lamenting a respiratory infection of extended duration, and another congratulating her child for securing the job that will launch his career.

Then, another video came into view. This one was a “live” feed from my husband’s friend. She was driving while recording and telling the world about her day. She detailed every moment from her awakening, where she was headed and where she would be later in the day. As people watched, they commented or chose an icon to like, love, laugh or cry. She acknowledged them as the comments streamed during her shoot, as she continued to navigate traffic along a busy highway.

As I laughed at how ridiculous it was, it made me wonder. Why? Why do people feel the need to broadcast their every move, whether through photos, videos or text? Why do they think people need this information, and why do they think they care? And why would they do this while they are driving? Don’t they have anything better to do?

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been known to proudly post a photo of my children or voice my disgust with a Ravens game or a move by Orioles manager Buck Showalter.

But in this world of information overload, one can only imagine a more innocent time, a time before social media, before the internet, before cell phones. It was a time when we picked up the phone and wrapped the wire around our bodies while we chatted incessantly.

When we met for coffee or just stopped by to converse with friends. We took long walks without being interrupted by texts, notifications or emails, or lounged on the couch to pass the day by with a good book.

Those were the days.

Unless, of course, you’re reading this blog …

Linda L. Esterson is an Owings Mills-based freelance writer.