Instant Whatever You Want

"I want what I want and I want it now." How many times have many of us heard that statement or one close to it? It refers to instant gratification - the kind that micro ovens or toasters give us. We want our food heated. Press a few buttons and within seconds you have heated bread or most any other kind of food or even drink. What's on television? Click the "on" button on your remote and instantly the television set is up and running to give you hours of entertainment. Is the hour late but you are having trouble falling asleep? No problem. Take a pill and within minutes you are snoozing away as if you invented this form of relaxation.     

These days, perhaps the best example of instant gratification is the Internet. No question this is a powerful communication tool. People all over the world use it. The amount of information on virtually any topic that it allows us to access immediately is nothing short of remarkable. The Internet matches this by allowing us to connect with thousands and even millions of others within moments. These people can be folks we do or do not know. We articulate our thoughts or ask questions on a given topic on, for example, Facebook or You Tube and before you can take another sip of coffee it is not uncommon to be receiving feedback of all kind from literally throughout the world.   

This feedback can take issue with your initial communique or even validate your perspective. It can provide you lots of negativity or support. Instantly. Either way, particularly if you are a person who believes is not listened to, the Internet not only give you a voice but also an ear. Actually, it has the potential to give you lots of ears. From a technological perspective, this is amazing. It is also a bit scary. The reality that any one can send out communiques that are purposely false or misleading, ugly in tone, defamatory against individuals or segments of the population, and theoretically receive support and encouragement certainly gives me pause. It also is why I have a love-hate relationship with the Internet.