This sort of thing happens a lot. I will be on Linked In, for example and read an entry that moves me, or makes me think or laugh. I will send a reply or comment asking if they would like to write for The Messenger. The authors are from all over the world. I might end up chatting with the authors about topics that interest both of us or that we think are important. Oh how I love thinking, open-minded, inquisitive people!

Without the Internet, this could never happen. I would never have been aware, for example of the wonderful authors who write for The Messenger. My life would never have been as enriched by these wonderful people because, without the Internet, we are truly isolated to only those people we come into contact with personally. Yes, I know, there has been telephone, and newspapers, and magazines. How many of us have really created an acquaintance/friendship with someone they read in the papers or magazines? Probably not at the level that the Internet has allowed. 

Social media and websites have opened up the world. We can connect with like-minded people at the speed of, well the speed of the Internet, almost instantaneously. I remember having a pen pal when I was a child. If you are under 50, ask your parents what pen pals were. I would painstakingly write a letter, by hand, fold it, put it into an envelope, address it, stamp it, and put it into the mail box. The next day the letter carrier, called mailmen in those days, would pick it up. I would wait a week or two for a return letter. Phew! Just writing that makes me tired, irritable, and impatient. 

Now, I have The Messenger, my blog Confessions of a Confetti Head, friends on FaceBook, groups on LinkedIn, Circles on Google+, and followers/following on Twitter, plus a smattering of other social media sites that I pay only cursory attention to. Is this overload? Did we go too far? Maybe. I have to admit that I am often disappointed by Facebook. Somehow the majority of my "friends" bore me. I find that I flip through the gazillion inspirational sayings, cute photos, and such. I scan for people I actually have something in common with and interact with them. I generally prefer LinkedIn and Twitter. I am an information junky after all.

My point is—yes, finally a point—what a priviledge it is to have so many people to choose to connect or not connect with. The Internet is awesome! I have met the most amazing people and formed bonds with some that will, I am sure, stand the test of time.

Another amazing thing about the Internet is that some of my dearest, most favorite people no longer live close to me. Instead of the painstaking and to me less personal contact through letter or voice only phone, we can instantly share photos, videos, and have a "live" conversation through Skype or Logitec Vid. I know, they aren't really the Internet but it is a close cousin. I'm purposely leaving out mention of texting. I love texting, but it isn't what I'm talking about here. It's a horse of a different color.

AND, AND, if I had a smart phone instead of a stupid one I could chat face to face with friends wherever we are! My ex-hubby and best friend David loves to lord his IPhone over me at every opportunity. Yeah, I get it. Oh, the shame of it all. A tech-head nerd with a stupid phone. I deserve a big "L" over my forehead for that one. If I don't get an IPhone soon, I'll be forced to only make calls in public while my face is buried in a hoodie. I could take my IPod touch out and pretend. No. That is truly lame. But really. I'm a first adopter by nature. I had a car phone back when they were the size of camels. Groan! I have an IPad, a MacBook Pro, A quad Mac Tower, two huge flat screen monitors. Piles and piles of professional software, blah, blah, blah.

Please excuse the rant. I slapped myself and I'm better now. . 

So, to paraphrase Shakespeare, I bite my thumb at thee, oh Internet scoffers! Methinks  it be the key to world peace, well maybe whirled peas. Ahem, sorry about that. Maybe I was channeling George Carlin.

At The Messenger, I work long and hard for no pay, and with no IPhone I might add, to bring you the best I can find in authors from all over the world so we can connect with ideas, philosophies, knowledge, and humor. I love it. I hope you do too.

Remember to Live, Love, Laugh,

Anita Burns

Anita's Blog - Just in case you are interested: Confessions of a Confetti Head