wallydownundy

The Pope is imploring Catholics to give up social media networks and texting for Lent. Oddly enough he made this request on The Vatican YouTube channel. He doesn’t want followers to substitute virtual world friendships for real world friendships. (Farewell Silk Charm, tell Laura I’ll miss her.) He says over-use of on-line mediums:

 ”…may isolate individuals from real social interaction while also disrupting the patterns of rest, silence and reflection that are necessary for healthy human development”.  (Source: The Australian)

Now it may sound odd but in a funny way I agree with the man. Too much of a good things is…great? No! Living on-line to the exclusion of real-world friendships is wrong. Every once in awhile it pays to leave the PC and see what’s going on in the 3D world.

Yet I don’t think the plea hits the mark. (And I can’t risk offending die-hard Catholics now because, really, you’re not supposed to be here!) Had earlier Popes warned about too much radio? Excessive television time? In olden days were we warned to stay away from Punch & Judy shows?

Seems the very Pope who is trying to embrace digital technologies shows his lack of understanding. Social media is a channel and texting is a method of communication - no more, no less. These allow one-to-one communications - or with PopeTube, one to many. The on-line world is a great way to connect with the exact people who share your enthusiasms and interests. And for teens, texting is a cheap alternative to mobile phone calls that retain and reinforce the very ties that make a community.

Since his youth the Pope has seen the village square replaced with an interconnected global network. My best friend may no longer be across town. He may be on another continent. And because it’s Lent am I to forego friendship? I don’t think so.

Now here’s one last test - let’s check YouTube to ensure there are no updates between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. After all, if it’s good for the goose….