Tis
the Season for?
December
2013
Tony E
Dillon-Hansen
When we
come to this time of the year, we encounter many religious inferences and
celebrations like Christian birth, Jewish rituals, Buddhist enlightenment,
European traditions in addition to the many different religious observations
and festivals surrounding the winter solstice. The symbols and beliefs share
common threads showcasing how mystical light that does not yield to the mystical
shadow of darkness (e.g. northern stars, enlightenment, casting out demons,
festival of lights). Notwithstanding the commercialization exhibited during the
“holiday season”, each of these festivals also pleads to the compassionate
heart of humanity to pursue ideas of virtue, love and sharing over greed, hate
and destruction. It is clear that mystical adventure and imagination have been
pervasive throughout human societies for many civilizations, and we love to
mark occasions of physical world changing with these feelings of spiritual
change. Yet, whether one observes religion during this time, technology seems
to want to replace those mystical beings and traditions with virtual ones.
Perhaps,
we consider how we can improve for the next year and more. With all of the
pleasantries surrounding the festivals and rhetorical expressions of good will,
we should consider how we can make these themes of the season last more than a
day, a month or even the few hours when gifts are exchanged. The living natures
of religious doctrines are flawed dreams of humanity, and yet, these doctrines
give something to aspire to be and a definition of a good life for which people
can strive. We should also understand how technology may challenge those
aspirations with its own via instant knowledge distributed over the wireless
Internet as one appropriately called it, “the digital now.”
The
marvel of technology is great, but the answers to basic questions remain. As
Marie Curie remarked, "One never notices what is done, one can only see
what remains to be done." While we are so connected in the world of tech,
we are searching and looking for answers. Yet, if we equate technology with
science, George Bernard Shaw suggests that science “...never solves a problem
without creating 10 more." Shaw’s
point is more relevant today because we not only have instant access to good
data but also bad data. We may share our
information both to the delight of our families and friends as well as those
who mean to harm us. The data is surrounded by the multitude of advertising,
logos, and useless headlines enticing us to stay distracted longer. The purpose
of email morphs from just getting your messages from friends but finding out
ways that companies can enrich your life or satisfy your hungers. Social media
is more than reacquainting with long-lost friends but more about how you
identify with a marketing segment and how you can improve your self-image by
following this person or that brand. Some even invoke religion for you with
iconic holiday images and sayings.
Along
with having many devices that serve to keep one connected to the grid and all
of the ads for buying even more or better devices to identify you at the altar
of the Internet, this has become the season of technology because being connected
is emphasized even more during this season with companies looking to pad their
margins.
There are
plenty of opportunities to distract oneself with the digital now, but during
the holiday season, one should recognize what is important, whether you believe
there is a religious aspect or not. Enjoy the time with people rather than
immersing in digital realms. Thanks to revelations of pervasive government and
corporate surveillance, maybe we should not digitally convert those experiences
from today, the few moments from now, or from our past into the digital
archives. There is a wealth of understanding that is here in the present. With
the prevalence of digital archiving done today by everyone, we can easily lose
sight of the process, the people, the smells, the irritations, the places, and
other nuances that make the moment worthy of remembering. Thus, we could lose
the ability to understand why. (Sometimes, there is no explanation or picture
that can encapsulate the now.)
Through
various news, contacts and other digital distractions, we may scuttle reality
into the spaces between the binary digits. Then, the philosophy around God may disappear
along with other graceful ethics. Then, the truth and compassion of the human
spirit becomes easy to manipulate and hide behind rhetorical claims,
narcissism, marketing, and flat lies.
Whether
one celebrates the traditional festivals of Samhain, of Jesus, or of just the
season, the digital experience wraps around us in a way that insulates us, and
we still are wondering why we are here and what our identity is. One cannot
ignore the relevance of the teachings of many of the many philosophies and
religions to do good and to honor good work. The Internet and technology offers
us instead distractions and wayward paths. Religion, by itself, may have
brought pain and hardship to many throughout history, but we are easily
replacing the sanctuary of church with the instance of technology that shields
us from nothing and even more leaves us with fewer answers about ourselves.
Our
interactions and communication can embrace real love and courage when we are
willing to believe in the human spirit. Yet, the truth of why we are here may
never be fully answered, but one reality is that our family, friends and
community are here today and that is true. Our legacy can endure through them beyond
the distortions of digital symbols or any 15 minutes of fame. What we learn
from them and what life unfolds for us is a measure of our expectations and our
effort to physically, spiritually and mentally discover in reality.
May many
beautiful and happy wintry wishes of the holiday season be with you and your
family. May this season bring you gifts of peace, hope, and joy for today as
well as through the year to come.
