I fully expected to see the world change as I aged. So many innovations make our lives easier, more interesting, and fun.
In retrospect, I understand how things changed for my grandparents – the cars, phones, appliances – all things that made their world better. Same for my parents.
I still remember teaching my dad how to use the buttons on the phone for different extensions and then years later, a cell phone. The cars were faster – which my dad appreciated.
Everything was better as the years went by. Their generations weathered world wars and stock market crashes and then after the Korean War, they felt it was smooth sailing. The world was a more peaceful place for a time.
There have been massive changes in the last 15 -20 years. While technology has advanced, it is frequently harnessed for harmful objectives, whether deliberately or unintentionally.
The amount of vitriol available on social media, the child pornography, bullying, and malicious attacks are profound. Technology being used to encourage suicide and to promote hatred is repulsive.
I appreciate more efficient appliances and better autos. I love the options on television as opposed to the few channels we had as kids.
The access to information is astounding. How wonderful it is to be able to look up anything and my computer or phone, but with all that, I am disappointed.
Sometimes the negative aspects outweigh the positives. If someone suffers harm or loses their life due to an impressionable person being misled by online content, no number of positive outcomes can make up for that loss.
I recently posted on social media about my enjoying the movie, Melania. I received well over 4,000 replies, most of them positive.
What strikes me as something new in this world are the attacks against me personally. Because I like a movie and some folks think Donald Trump does not represent their politics, I am verbally assaulted with vile and obscene language from strangers.
When and why did our world get so warped? Social media allows for the attackers to hide behind a keyboard and assault those they disagree with.
Why does it disturb some folks so much if the rest of the world is not in agreement with their opinions? Must we all like the same dress? Should we only order one flavor of ice cream?
It is beyond comprehension. I believe that the few that do come out from behind their keyboard go beyond slinging slurs at strangers and act out their grievances by attempting (and unfortunately sometimes succeeding) in assassinations.
The amount of antisemitism has increased exponentially in recently and yet, it seems that many who claim to hate Jews and Israel, truly have little to no knowledge. However if it appears on social media – they go with it, with no desire to learn about what they are screaming or whom they are attacking.
I wish for a more peaceful time; a kinder, gentler world where we can all enjoy the improvements that a changed world can provide in technology without the need to try to destroy each other based on an imagined reason to hate or fear.
We need to let everyone enjoy their options, even when voting on a candidate for a political office, without attacking each other. I want to express gratitude for the advantages science and technology have brought us, without facing criticism or lectures about my personal choices.
I yearn for a more peaceful friendly world.
