Remember playing freeze tag? When “frozen” we would yell at the other children “Tag me, tag me!” until someone touched us so we could become “alive.” I am afraid that as a society we are allowing social media recognition to replace old fashioned multi sensory interaction. We depend on it to make us feel alive. However, a “like” or comment on Facebook, a re-tweet on twitter or any other digital “touch” will never bring us to life like a kindly spoken word, a smile, a hug, or pat on the back. Its like eating plastic play food and expecting it to nourish us. Its an inadequate and toxic substitute.
Last night as I looked at a room full of people gathered to celebrate me I was reminded of this. Hundreds of people congratulated me on Facebook but a couple of dozen were able to show up in person. They helped me to feel alive for a moment.
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