The eyes of servants.

[Da_iMac_Daddy]

I've been reading a lot lately and thinking about my personal ideals. My current book is War of the Worlds by Mark Slouka. Very interesting and I've begun to see what he means.

Earlier today I was sent on a mission that would effect the utter survival of my family. To mcee dee's (McDonalds) to get food.

As I sat in the line for the drive through that was unusually jammed up with cars I thought to myself, "Why isn't anyone going inside?". BAM! it hit me, the stuff Slouka is talking about in his book is true to some extent.

I don't think the Digerati are going to be taking over the world any time soon but I do believe people in general have grown accustomed to interacting with people as little as possible.

For example the extremely long line in the drive through. But another thing I noticed, as I waited for my food to be served to me I was looking through the drive through window and my eyes came into contact with the woman's behind the glass. Immediately I turned my head away from her, obviously embarrassed by my intrusion into her space.

This is the first time I had even given this "etiquette?" any thought. When I order something from the server at McDonalds I look at the animated screen above their heads or at my friends, pretty much any where but at the server.

This is extremely bothersome. It seems as if all human relations are being strung very thin. I don't know what to think.

I guess I'm just venting some strangely emotional thoughts that are running through my head.

Thanks for listening


//edit: Kinda weird how I'm posting here to get support for my feelings even though this is one of the most dehumanized places I know.

 

[symphonix]

I caught a bus today, for the first time in a fair while. A woman got on with a toddler, a little girl, who kept looking at everybody on the bus and smiling at them. And how did we all react?

Well, everybody tried very hard to pay her no attention at all, and not make eye contact.

I think you are right in saying that the way people interact is changing, and I know I'm not that happy with it. But I looked away, too, because it is the done thing.

*Sigh*

 

[Da_iMac_Daddy]

Is anyone else extremely upset by this? Me and Symphonix have both made this observation. It can't just be us. Save for them walking the dog I haven't seen most of my neighbors in the 12 years I've lived in my neighborhood. Most of the people I do see are relatively wierd in most senses of the word. Good nice people but just wierd. Soon no one will ever have to leave the comfort of indoors. If you park your car in the garage you may only have to step outside on your way INTO work. Cubicals cut us off from the terror of contact with actual human beings. There are plenty of things that seem to cut us off from the human experience and it seems that the internet is pushing this farther along.

If you read this do me a favor go over to a neighbors house and introduce yourself. Play some cards, interact with another human being for more than just the few seconds. I assure you it may not be as grotesque as you may think.

 

[Ricky]

Originally posted by symphonix
I caught a bus today, for the first time in a fair while. A woman got on with a toddler, a little girl, who kept looking at everybody on the bus and smiling at them. And how did we all react?

Well, everybody tried very hard to pay her no attention at all, and not make eye contact.

Yes, this has happened on numerous occasions around here too, but I'm not afraid of eye contact. Just because it is the "done thing" does not mean it has to be the way it's done for you too.
It's not uncommon these days for this kind of thing to take place though, and I'm glad you guys are willing to talk about it.

 

[Da_iMac_Daddy]

I just wish more people were willing to talk about it and realize that it is a problem. Soon we will live our lives in the bunkers we call our homes and only speak with those who are directly related to us be it a co-worker fellow student or anything of that sort; once we shut ourselves up into our bunkers who will control us? The media. On the internet people are already taking advantage of us. I dunno I just wish the general masses would realize the problems that are becoming a dailty routine to us. We don't mind that it's a rule that in an elevator you must look toward the door. It is customary to apologize to some one for bumping into them but what is wrong with human contact? If this keeps up the human race may become a very scary thing.