Everywhere we turn, an assault awaits.  Anywhere we glance a solicitation beckons.  Our senses are the target, and an innumerable, variable,  selection of ordinance is stationed at key points to intercept us.

The trap is set, and the snare plays the security blanket.  The social quicksand marks our perceptible forward progress.  Take that step, provide yourself an avatar, you need only a digital, and not exactly representative, representation of yourself.

This is a way to connect, this is a way to reach out, this is how to make friends.   The social networking e-sphere is how you can expand your possibilities to have real connections to other people, both, in proximity to yourself, and to those in distant geographies.

The more connections we are able to make, the more intriguing personalities to whom we may relate.  Not to mention, through these networking avenues, we are afforded infinite suggestions on who may share likes and interests.  Additionally the products that might become available to us, that we never even new about or considered, are now easily forced upon our senses.

Though, the solicitation is not simply limited to our avatars.  Make a routine trip to your local grocery store.  En route,  might we not encounter multiple ordering signs?  Do this, turn this way, X town 5 miles, food/gas/pig farm 3 miles, merge because of construction(or try not to if you are an asshole), drive this speed limit, ignore this exit if you want to go faster.  But, check your gps, because that may have a better route.

Everywhere a proposition, every second a reassurance. Or as a contrast, everywhere a snub, and every second a denial.

Make sure our phones are set to push every notice immediately upon you!  Ensure our phablets have maximum charge, and a backup, to ensure that we miss no stimuli!  Have in person conversations surrounding cool videos we just found and the latest post we encountered!

I am just as guilty as most.  See, here I am!  I’m digitally pimping my words to you.  Yet contrary to certain adverts and solicitations, I don’t want you to purchase anything.  I only wish that you would feel in some way, or relate in some other way, to the sentiments i exude.

Though I may not have previously expressed an interest, maybe you’ll come hiking with me?  Maybe well leave our phones behind?  Maybe well dash them upon the rocks which our feet find as we ascend the mountain.  Maybe we won’t tweet the view that we share?  Perhaps we’ll have a dialogue that is candid, and natural, and unimpeded by any digital device, let alone any human made sign?

Instead of a Facebook interaction, maybe putting our hands on the trunk of a 100 year old tree makes us smile?  Perhaps, instead of digital goldfish, we take up reel and rod, and observe the smile (probably a grimace) of the fish in hand.  Maybe we breath true air,  not marketed to, not pitched to, devoid of trolling, and unsullied by the pressure to immediately share, or photograph, or sell, or market, or comment on. But, maybe we just take deep breath, or two, and see the world around us, and just enjoy being alive.

Thank you, sincerely, for reading and thus connecting with me.

Humbly yours,

J