Ok, I admit it . As an engineer and even otherwise as a young 21st century individual (I didnt get a better word!) I am fascinated by technology. As a communications engineer, it really pleases me to see how the world is truly becoming a 'global village' now. How people spaced many miles across, many time zones apart can communicate to each other so effectively.
I live alone in a 1 bedroom apartment. But the truth is I have never really felt lonely. I always have my two buddies by my side - my cell phone and my laptop. I have been in regular touch with all my near and dear ones through cellphone/email/voice chat etc etc. The thought never occurred to me that I live all alone.
And then...I get a call from one of my friends. He is feeling totally miserable and wants to pour his heart out to me. I patiently listen, punctuating his sentences with "hmm" and "ok" occasionally. I am at a loss of words to comfort him. I want to put my arms around his shoulders and tell him "Don't worry, things will get better." I want to hold his hands and assure him that I am always there for him. I just say "don't worry ... take care" and put down the phone. I have no idea how he is feeling right now. If he is crying, tensed or totally in control.
I get another call from another friend. He is moving to India for good. He has plans to come back, I don't know when. I am sure I will meet him sometime, I don't know when. Last I met him was almost two years ago. I have known almost every tiny detail of his life for these past 2 years. We talk/chat almost every other day. I have seen his recent photos. But still, I wish I could meet him once before he left for India.
And then I talk to my parents almost every alternate day. My mother asks me the same questions everytime- what did you have for dinner ? how is work ? how is the cold there ? Are you fine ? I answer all the questions as truly as I can. Sometimes I say I had dal-chawal-sabji for dinner when I am actually eating bread and butter. I say I am fine and work was good when I am running a high temperature and took a day off from work. I also ask her how she is doing, how is her backpain and health in general. She always says she is fine. I wonder if she is answering my questions as truly as she can.
My sister sends me photos and videos of my two little nieces. She writes every tiny detail about their progress to me in emails. The elder one is old enough to talk, so I call my sister's house just so I can hear her voice. I don't know if she knows me but she does know my name - "Litu Maashi". I would like her to know that she has an aunt who loves her a lot. I want to sit by her and help her do her homework, take her to parks and gardens and play with her. I want to hold the tiny hands of my little niece and help her stand up and then make her do boogie woogie. I want to make faces to her to see her smile.
I wonder if we ever will have the technology that would help me do all this sitting alone at home.
I live alone in a 1 bedroom apartment. But the truth is I have never really felt lonely. I always have my two buddies by my side - my cell phone and my laptop. I have been in regular touch with all my near and dear ones through cellphone/email/voice chat etc etc. The thought never occurred to me that I live all alone.
And then...I get a call from one of my friends. He is feeling totally miserable and wants to pour his heart out to me. I patiently listen, punctuating his sentences with "hmm" and "ok" occasionally. I am at a loss of words to comfort him. I want to put my arms around his shoulders and tell him "Don't worry, things will get better." I want to hold his hands and assure him that I am always there for him. I just say "don't worry ... take care" and put down the phone. I have no idea how he is feeling right now. If he is crying, tensed or totally in control.
I get another call from another friend. He is moving to India for good. He has plans to come back, I don't know when. I am sure I will meet him sometime, I don't know when. Last I met him was almost two years ago. I have known almost every tiny detail of his life for these past 2 years. We talk/chat almost every other day. I have seen his recent photos. But still, I wish I could meet him once before he left for India.
And then I talk to my parents almost every alternate day. My mother asks me the same questions everytime- what did you have for dinner ? how is work ? how is the cold there ? Are you fine ? I answer all the questions as truly as I can. Sometimes I say I had dal-chawal-sabji for dinner when I am actually eating bread and butter. I say I am fine and work was good when I am running a high temperature and took a day off from work. I also ask her how she is doing, how is her backpain and health in general. She always says she is fine. I wonder if she is answering my questions as truly as she can.
My sister sends me photos and videos of my two little nieces. She writes every tiny detail about their progress to me in emails. The elder one is old enough to talk, so I call my sister's house just so I can hear her voice. I don't know if she knows me but she does know my name - "Litu Maashi". I would like her to know that she has an aunt who loves her a lot. I want to sit by her and help her do her homework, take her to parks and gardens and play with her. I want to hold the tiny hands of my little niece and help her stand up and then make her do boogie woogie. I want to make faces to her to see her smile.
I wonder if we ever will have the technology that would help me do all this sitting alone at home.
7 comments:
start with a bang...keep it up!
Hmmmm..... I wonder who the first person is, and no points for guessing the second one :-)
Well just consider yourself lucky you are single :-) I can totally understand what you are trying to convey, more so after being alone now. No person I know of, does not "miss" people or places, just that being alone you are confronted with these issues "HEAD ON"!Others like to hide them deep inside, in their consciousness by surrounding themselves with people or things!
A harsh reality but an experiential truth!
kulu, man !! you got it all wrong !! This has got nothing to do with the fact that I am alone. I am not "missing" anything or anyone. Its just about how even the most advanced communication technology fails to do what human 'touch' and 'see' can do without saying anything.
Hmm..totally true.
And just because so many people have already asked me, there is no "one" first person. The friend here refers to many of my friends. I have encountered this situation and had this feeling with many of my friends. The other situations are more specific to just one person. In fact, there are numerous other situations where I feel technology so fails the 'human' element.
wow!now engineers and scientists know which area they have to work on!U've just given them directions...keep it up!
And that's why I am sort of anti-development! It takes us absolutely nowhere. It is a way for our civilization to pass time before we become extinct.
And not only that technology cannot help us with some things, it has in fact caused all these tribulations. Would you have gone to the US if there wasn't any technology!
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