Linked In or Out?

Since my last post, a lovely little tummy bug decided to grace my life with its presence. I'm finally feeling well enough to lift my head from the pillow, so I thought I'd get caught up. We won't discuss how many emails were in my inbox. One of the emails was from a survey thing I joined years ago. Mostly, I'm so busy that I delete the surveys. However, I decided to answer this latest one, and it was on... all things internet.

As I examined the latest offering in ways to keep up online, I had to wonder about whether or not I'm linked in and whether or not it's a good thing. There's all these ways to connect with folks online, ways to talk local politics, ways to find out what's happening. I admit, I don't use any of it. Truth be told, I know more about the presidential race (which is next to nothing, except that I'm disgusted by all of the candidates) than I know about who my city council reps are. Actually, I don't think I have any, because I'm living in unincorporated territory. But still. I know little about life around me. I had to wonder, am I linked in? Am I so wrapped up in my own little world that I have lost my sense of community?

Probably.

Most of my closest friends are hundreds, even thousands of miles away. I wave to my neighbors. I'll occasionally say hi to the folks at church. And *gasp* I'll even attend a gathering I'm invited to now and then.

I don't watch the news. I don't read the papers. I know about as much about current events as the guy at the water cooler at work. Frankly, I don't really want to know more. Which is sad, because I used to be the nerd desperate to get cable so I could have CNN. Now, I figure, if it's important enough, someone will let me know.

So will one of these new and better ways to get me linked in to my community change my attitude? Will it change my behavior?

Probably not.

Sure, I think I should probably be a little more involved in the world around me. But I'm not sure more technology is going to do that. The truth is, I don't believe any of that makes a difference. Getting a news feed on the latest pregnant starlet does nothing for my quality of life. Ditto for hearing the latest slam on the presidential candidate of the day.

So what will make a difference? Things like going around the big bush separating "us" from "them" and ringing the neighbor's doorbell to say "hi" might. Attending my kiddo's PTA meeting to find out why, exactly, do they have our kids pimping out "stuff" to raise money for the school every other month and then committing to change whatever that is might.

But being more linked in? That, I'm not so sure about.