The other day, while waiting in line to buy steamed sugar bread at a local festival, I watched a daughter and mother standing in front of me. The daughter was so eager to share the relentless stream of images and videos playing on the screen of her phone with her mother, who seemed more than happy to look and participate.
What were they watching?
Mostly ridiculous videos of cats.
It made me think of the content that I often find my children consuming, videos of people making mindless commentary and having over-the-top reactions while playing video games. This, in turn, reminded me of a thought I’ve been having a lot lately.
When we make content about dumb things, and when we act dumb in the videos that we make, we encourage a whole generation of children to go even further in that direction than we have.
In the future, will our only real skill be the ability to make group dance videos?
(1)
under the swings
how many feet have passed
ruts in the sand
(2)
stitches in the night
lighting the way
a firefly
(3)
in the restroom
I linger a minute
to enjoy the pause
(4)
on the steps out back
husking corn with dad again
forty years later
(5)
meeting you
in the rainy season
blue sky
(6)
in the corner
a rocking chair
gathers dust
(7)
all the goldfish
at the summer festival
saved by rain
As always, thank you for reading.
