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?
how many feet have passed
ruts in the sand
lighting the way
a firefly
I linger a minute
to enjoy the pause
husking corn with dad again
forty years later
in the rainy season
blue sky
a rocking chair
gathers dust
at the summer festival
saved by rain
