I

Due to life’s responsibilities and geographical distances,
people are more apt to communicate electronically rather than face to face.

We have become so dependent on computers and especially hand held devices,
that users go through a kind of psychological withdrawal, whenever away
from them for any length of time. It has also resulted in the phenomenon of
distracted driving and walking, leading to accidents and in some cases, even death.


II

Many now feel guilty for trying to be happy, live a normal life,
when so many around the world are being discriminated against, displaced,
or dying as a result of senseless political/racial/gender related violence and warfare.


III

Reputations, both personal and corporate, can quickly be created, damaged or destroyed,
In the public court and scrutiny of social media.


IV

Thanks to technology, information and images can be constructed/doctored,
presented in such a fashion as being the truth, in some cases creating new urban legends.
Few take the time to research a subject, even if facts may appear to be questionable.
While others immediately or gradually over time take information as gospel.

In short, everything on the Internet should be taken with a grain of salt.


V

In relation to the above, there are many unscrupulous individuals,
who will take advantage of technology and related social conditioning for personal gain.
The most common activity is plagiarism, but more seriously, the publishing of information,
especially scientific and medical papers, with little or no research, or worse, falsified data.

The best example of this was the Vaccine scare, linking it to Autism. Based on bad science,
greed and ego, it was later discovered that the doctor involved was in serious conflicts of interest,
the most notable being his research was being secretly bankrolled by a personal injury lawyer
to the tune of almost a million dollars. The lawyer’s other clients were suing MMR
(Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine makers.

His paper was eventually retracted, and the scientist later charged with professional misconduct.

For more information: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/jan/28/andrew-wakefield-mmr-vaccine


VI

We are all so busy, that when finally finding ourselves in a quiet time or even full day,
we almost feel guilty for not being busy, or at least feel that something is wrong.


VII

All the countries of the world are so heavily connected through politics and trade,
a downturn in the market, either immediately or eventually effects all the others.
As a result, the idea of more ‘boom times’ for any one country appears less certain,
even impossible.


VIII

As much as most of the world yearns for political and economic stability,
Warfare, with all its root causes, various forms, degrees of severity, will continue to be with us.


© 2016

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07/16/2016

Posted on 07/16/2016
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti