Monday morning. My third cup of coffee and looking at a white screen. The majority of my ‘to do’ list has been checked off. The remainder is written down in my daily planner and will get to it. Eventually.
There are things that need my attention but considering the state of the world and other people’s ‘dgaf’ work ethic, I don’t think pecking away at my keyboard for an hour or so will inhibit anyone’s list of action items.
I took a break from social media platforms in the hope I would be less distracted by my phone. Unfortunately, I still reach into my pocket and turn on the addicting brick. Rather than judging schoolmate Suzy’s latest diy hack job, I will surf the world wide web like I was back in seventh grade- ‘what do I look up now?!’ I’ll also watch an ‘informative’ youtube. I even stay within the confines of my pocket-sized computer and scroll through pictures. This experiment of respite has been beneficial in at least one way- all the photos on my phone are neatly organized into sub folders. When a moment of pride comes over me at a neighborly gathering, I can quickly show off my kids, significant other, or various other photos that will validate my ego and solidify my social standing in whatever phase of the neighborhood I am in. All while I watch neighbors overindulge in their adult beverage of choice. Yes, it is fun to partake with friends but watching other people make idiots of themselves has grown on me. Not feeling like absolute hell the next morning is also a plus.
I have been reading more. A lot more. Books, newspapers, and even electronic formats. Stephen King, Tom Wolfe, HST, and more! The web based stuff has been a bit of a double-edged sword and brings me to a quandary. Can anyone tell me why writing has become so bad? I am self-aware to the extent that my own kettle is rather black. I am not sure if my English teachers will be excited to see my own writings. Maybe I will receive a message, complete with a scan of my most recent upload; covered in red ink appearing like they had just slaughtered a small animal. The corrections come from a place that they care. They just want to encourage me and help me get better. I too, ask this potentially polarizing question from a place of ‘becoming better’.
Online, public forums, where anyone can peruse articles and can also write their own! Anyone, with an idea and a little moxie can throw themselves to the wolves of the internet. To risk being devoured for their misuse of said word and/or incorrect punctuation. The ‘screen alphas’ will snarl and even pounce if the topic is deemed political or ‘not of their leaning’.
Have I lunged at anyone’s writings? Of course not, I am too much of a kindhearted fool for that sort of ruthless behavior. Admittedly, I have said out loud ‘this is garbage’ as well as ‘why in the world was I directed to this?!’. I don’t want crap. I want a good read. I do not want your agenda. I want you (the writer) to challenge my way of thinking and I will come to my own conclusions. If you write well, keep me engaged, and give me a laugh, maybe I will agree with you.
Writing. It is about the spread of ideas and the art of persuasion. Not cramming your ideas or beliefs down my throat. Free speech and equality, right?
