To All ...
I started to respond "off the list" to Mel; but, as I neared the end of
what I wanted to say, I realized that there was no reason it couldn't be
said publicly, and many reasons why it shouldn't be said to only one
person on the list. So bear with me if the first part is totally
off-topic to some of you.
----------------------
Mel,
I was saddened to hear of the loss of your fellow caravaner's wife --
particularly at this time of the year when everyone is expected to be in
good & giving spirits. If you care to, you may pass along my regrets
and my assurances that -- as hard as it may be right now -- he should,
and can, continue on into the next phase of his life despite the current
feelings of "why bother?" that may haunt him.
Ten years ago, or even more, I saw that all the things I'd had a chance
to be raised with -- extended family, a neighborhood which had neighbors
and not strangers in it, people with similar interests and hobbies
nearby, people with whom to share ideas and dreams and disappointments
-- was sadly disappearing from the world of today. We are being more
and more isolated and insulated by technology and the way the world
works.
Then I found the world of BBSes, and discovered that "family" &
"friends" might still be there if we dared to reach out and make
contact. But I also found out, with more than a few scars remaining to
remind me, that this world of aggitated phosphors can be as false as the
worse television charade. Trusting could lead to a thrashing beyond
belief. And where debating face to face could solve problems in the real
world, attempting to debate electronically was impossible much of the
time. The world changed from "He who laughs last laughs best" to "He
who types fastest and has the tightest clique wins, regardless of right
or wrong."
Then I found the internet, and found that ngs could be even worse than
bbses. But I also found that mailing lists could provide world-wide
access to those with whom you shared common interests or needs. And by
that time I'd also learned much better self control, and seldom
participate now in flame wars. I've found that, if I'm careful, those
aggitated phosphors don't have to aggitate me. And I've found there are
a whole bunch of interesting, caring, intelligent, sweet, wonderful,
challenging people in the world with whom I can interact.
I truly feel that if the Internet has one essenstial component, one
facet which may save the world from self-destructing into millions of
tiny individual "black holes," it is the fact that "family" and
"neighborhood" can once again exist -- even if people are separated by
thousands of miles. And what I learned BBSing -- that the CRT can remove
all sorts of artificial barriers to communication like gender, age,
ethnicity, disabilities -- continues to be true on the internet.
The one thing this world needs to survive is universal communication.
And it's becoming more and more available to any and all. That is one
big reason why I've stayed with DOS and DOS development; the fact that I
also like to retain control has a bit to do with my liking DOS also. :)
Now people don't need to be alone any longer. It can still be a
dangerous world, filled with ignorance and spite. But at least we are
now given the opportunity to deal with it. And I've been given the
opportunity to "meet" all sorts of talented and normal, caring and
agnostic, real and false, people. I'm glad for that. I'm glad I've met
people from Scotland and Oz, Canada and S. America, Africa and Asia,
Europe and the USA.
Never before have people in this world had the opportunity to be exposed
to so many people with whom they share common interests, but from whom
they may markedly differ in most other ways. Yet, despite our
differences, we generally manage to communicate and make progress in one
area or another. And there are so many people in the world willing to
help, to share, to guide ... I've learned more from participating on
the net, and interacting with members of this and other lists, than the
last 3 or 4 years of college study gave me.
The solstice was a few days ago, the celebration of the rededication of
the Temple is going on, Christmas comes tomorrow, and around the world
people are remembering or celebrating in one way or another 365 days a
year. We who also participate in an "electronic life" are lucky enough
to have the chance to share those remembrances and celebrations.
To all -- may you have a peaceful and secure holiday season, and may you
start the new year with a eagerness to experience and learn, share and
teach.
l.d.
--
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