Spending Time vs. Killing Time

It's ironic for me to suggest that you turn off your computer or cell phone or iPad or whatever the heck you are reading this on and go for a walk, or take a bath or read a book or do anything else for Christ's sake, since I am writing this on my computer so how else would you be reading it. But there it is. The sad truth is that technology rules the day, even though it is squashing our spirit, ruining our health, making us stupid and most probably fat. 

Take me, for example. In my younger days I would read a book at bedtime to relax, adding to my knowledge or understanding of the world in some way. Now I play Words With Friends like a heroin addict, telling myself "just one more" until an hour has flown by, or exchanging insults with strangers about politics, or scrolling videos of adorable puppies like a moron. 

Surely this cannot be good for me, especially at this point in my life. In six months I will turn 80, joining the fastest-growing age group in the U.S. (More than 12.7 million Americans are 80 or older.) Despite feeling younger, thinking younger and even behaving younger, the reality is I'm nearing the end. While I shake my head in disbelief at how the younger generations waste their time online, I'm no better.

Yesterday my friend Ted -- we have never met in person but still I consider him a good friend -- texted me that he was "taking a vacation from Facebook" because it was eating up too much of his time. I wish him well and hope he finds something worthy to fill all the hours he will gain. Still, I hope he'll keep reading this blog, although I'm not sure why it matters -- or even what matters. But surely going for a walk, reading a book or making a pot of soup are better ways to spend time, rather than killing it mindlessly online.

Good luck out there, Ted!