Segways

Perhaps the best thing about mankind is its insatiable need to move forward. Progress. Advancement. That's what we do. The telegraph. Automobiles. The Internet. All those achievements and so many more are among mankind's bragging points. The hits keep coming and that is a good thing. Sometimes, however, we over do ourselves. Sometimes we come up with a contraption that goes too far. I am referring to the segway. This is that motorized personal vehicle that enables its users to ride from one location to another. No walking. Stand on its platform, turn on the engine and hang onto the handles.

Segways look fun. Plus, the prospect of not having to overextend oneself is appealing. Despite that, however, taking away or even reducing our need to use our feet is not good. It is akin to making it no longer necessary to speak. We need the challenge of trying to figure out what words to use, how best to organize them, or even the most effective way in which to present them. Without that challenge our need to think is compromised. If we no longer have to work as hard to think, then we become less than we are. The same holds true for walking. We need to walk even when we may not want to. We need to keep working hard to be effective communicators, too.

Yes, communication is difficult. But it is the kind of hurdle that makes us better; keeps us on the upswing. Segways represent an obstruction to maintaining a level of sharpness that makes us who we are. So, for what is worth, my recommendation to anyone who asks is to not make using a segway a regular habit. Keep walking and be grateful you can.  And while you are at it, when faced with trying to connect with another, keep scratching your head until you come up with the right words. And keep talking. Oh, other thing: be wary of anything that seems like a step forward. Give it a thorough look-see before giving it your personal seal of approval.