Connect me and I will see...

It seems as of recent the trust of the masses has somewhat deteriorated. Whether it be through mass communication media giants, or due to the superb influx in trans-world intercommunication's, something has broken the individual from the group. Which seems in and totally paradoxical because at the forefront of the technological boom came the preface that this supposed technology would provide an overall good to humanity. Humanity would be further linked or moreover better educated, and in theory would do more and better for society as a whole.

Well, wrong. I have come into contact with more apathy and even more lazy ignorance in terms to the betterment of our world. The supposed affluence that was supposed to birth from our minds flow of energy, has burst forth into sheer lack of hope. We have expanded outward in a sense, meaning we have more of this and more of that, but it seems like we can't move forward. IE: We have more ways to educate the masses, but our masses do not seem to be investing in the right education that would prove worthy for our world(More info on MTV and less on world tension).

I would deem the problem on a lack of trust. As the population grows this breeds the problem of the growth of self-interest. So as more ducks line up in the row, the more heads there are in search of the best that can meet their own orange billed needs and less on the whole duck-group(I apologize on my lack of knowledge for the ready term for a group of ducks. My bad). With that said, the less trust we have for one another.

Then couple this previous idea with the lack of trust for major media outlets. I mean let's be honest, how much do we trust what's coming out of the mouths of the grey haired wrinkled brows of the anchors and the AP names spouting different crisis garbage our way. We are proven more and more critical everyday. Why should we trust them, when they bite their(mass media) own words every other day?

So how do we trust? Or better said, "Who do we trust?" With this influx of tech savvy shit, and an gregarious amount of words flowing to and fro, where do we go to discern for our society. How do we jump ahead of ourselves and maybe, just maybe, consider the whole.

Interpersonal communication through the venue of face-to-face and breath-to-breath is where my hope lies. I vote for me talking more to you; actually, first let me listen, I mean really listen and put the critical neuropathy aside, and listen. Then when the time is right give my say, not necessarily in interjection, but just talk freely. Shall we call this open-mouth exchange over the lines of damn-close proximity. I mean I have had over the last few weeks some amazing short-term conversation in person that have superseded anything my cell-phone, my myspace, nor the daily Metro could ever lead to.

I was sitting on the F train(a godsend to me), and an older gent sat next to me in the seat that's view intersected mine. Without notice he jumps into conversation with me, and we begin to discuss reading habits. I am reading--at the time--Into the Wild(for the third time, but only this time focusing on Chris McCandless and no other adventurers), but this stranger interrupts my reading to speak about reading. He takes no consideration to the fact that I'm in mid-book, and I may take offense to being interrupted(and at first interruption, I was a bit pissed). However, he asked me, "Why do you read?" Totally blown away, no real response was offered other than, "I like to read." Stoic, I know. However then we dug together some more and described to one another our reading styles along with our affinities for simple reading. Then this gent told me about how proud he was of his daughters whose own bookshelf's were covered in books of all genres. I too would be proud.

The other day, I was already late to me a gorgeous specimen of disarming female at her favorite book venue that has to do with footwear, azure at that, when I'm exiting the station a woman stops me to ask me about if she picked the right stop in conjunction to an address she had to be at. "Should I have gotten off here, or at West 4th?" was her question. I gave her my answer, and was about to walk off, when she mentioned, "They should really put some escalators in here for some old folks." So as the inner Southern boy in me does not enough of, I put out my arm and lead the way up the rigorous climb step by step. But I saw hope in the situation. Since my new lady-friend appeared to be in her seventh or eighth decade, I saw the opportunity for an amazing little venture. I so I took her by the arm and we walked. Unfortunately for her, and fortunately for me, she selected one stop too far, so our walk together would be a long one. But in that walk we exchanged more than just simple pleasantries but stories and smiles. She told me of her time in Dallas as an Administrative Secretary, her tyrannical boss apportioned her to bake cookies: "You want me to make cookies. You bake your own damn cookies," was my new favorite walking date's response. She spent so much time telling me about her granddaughters escapades through semi-adulthood as a senior in high school. I was more than happy to shut my mouth and just lend a fascinated ear. She by far, was one of the most beautiful women I have ever encountered.

The other day, I was again on the G train(which again most have a problem with, but I again love) and again in mid-read, when out of nowhere I here an, "Excuse me." I look up and my inner-man shouts contemplating nuisance, "FUCK!" I saw in front of me a badge, a hat, and a ticket book. I look down, and my feet are on the chair next to me. He does his job, we get off at a stop that is so close to home and yet so late at night, that I know it will take me at least another thirty minutes to wait for the next train. Anyway, he cordially invites me through summons to the BK court to tell of why I so happened to feel it necessary to prop my feet up on someone else's seat. I quietly and diplomatically accepted my invitation without struggle. However there were a few onlookers who after the officer strolled away, inquired of my summons: "Excuse me brother, but what'd you get a ticket for." I explained my story, and everyone exclaimed in a random order: "Shit! You gotta be fuckin' kiddin' me. Jesus!" We joined in harmony in telling of stories about the system of the city was about to get us, and how also to dodge out of these situations. Even an analogy of the elite taking advantage of the weak was employed: "Is that your lollipop. Give me your fuckin' lollipop so I can take advantage of you." We had a lot of fun. (I do want to end this story admonishing the fact that the officer was more than polite and cordial and only doing his job, and I did have my feet up meaning I did break the law. Also the police officer by all means expressed what to do in order not to have to pay a fine, and quickly and efficiently get out of a bad situation. He did his job very well)

These are just a few of my quick-lived face-to-face adventures. Some would say, that mediocrity is put to death through a helter-skelter pace of life. I would come to agree somewhat, except I would put so much, I mean so much, value on the relationships founded in pure open-hearted, not to mention, open-mouthed conversation. We have to learn to trust, put our trust, and then put ourselves in situations that rely on more than just the self; situations that rely on one another.


Be Relentless,
Peace
Remoy