IF "Contagious"

Edwina tried in vain to inoculate herself against the contagious, yet unattainable expectations of her society................


I have been thinking a lot lately about television and how it influences our daily thought processes.
Ideas are indeed contagious and become embedded in our psyche.
Television has helped to alter our thinking and to skew our aesthetic and moral compass.
Concepts about beauty and status have really become phantasmagorical and unachievable...
yet, perversely we strive to fulfill ideals which were never ours, ideas which were subtly woven into our brains.
Television as well as other forms of technology have actually become our "Soma" and we have become so complacent and comfortable that we make little effort to awaken from our cozy and safe nest.

Once upon a time we were much more active and involved. We were well rounded so to speak. We gardened and interacted with our neighbors and family, we read actual books and listened to music. We canned and cleaned and picnicked, and had fun not involving electronic devices.
We sat at tables and played board games, and ate meals, face to face.

It seems now society is becoming more unplugged. Relationships are more difficult to make face to face, skills are being lost in the arena of interaction and language.
Games are played on the computer, relationships are "made" online.....

Viva la revolution! I think this month I will unplug! I plan to start with cable television. I want to experiment and see what happens. Will I have more time? Will I be "present" with my family? Will I become more creative? Will my spiritual side re-awaken given the ability to have moments of silence? Will my thinking become more clear?
Or, will it be a negative experience....will I have too much time on my hands, too many silent gaps, and will unresolved issues covered by constant white noise have nothing to hold them back and begin to rise to the surface?
It remains to be seen.
Very curious indeed!