No Internet? Oh My!

We had about a week of on-and-off service by our Internet provider who was apparently improving our service.

During that week I came to realize how much we depend on the Internet, and not just for scrolling and watching the news.

Think about it. Without the Internet, we were hard-pressed to find a telephone number. We don't have telephone books anymore, or the ability to dial "Information" (which was handy long ago.)

Our favorite television shows or the ability to stream something while exercising--gone. I resorted to the music on my phone (which actually wasn't so bad.) It was all I had.

The truth is, without online service, even doing basic things is limited. I don't think we realize how much we use it. Often today, we are sort of forced into it by offices and organizations that we need.

With our Internet back, I enjoyed watching the National Catholic Youth Conference today because Pope Leo joined the youth online, answering questions and connecting with them.

Worldwide, he reached over a million people. A great use of the Internet!

He spoke about balance in our lives. Also, among the many wise things he said, in response to a question, the Pope had the youth imagine what it would be like if AI went away. (A growing standard for many.)

Young people often rely on it for solutions to problems, homework help and essays.

Pope Leo spoke of the importance of still being able to think and grow and create within our humanity. 

We must be careful, indeed, not to lose our ability to think and be creative, without always relying on outside sources, as the Pope said. 

Our young granddaughter was over the other day and we sat at the table with paper, markers and scissors. She rejected my idea of drawing a tree and decorating it, then cutting it out.

Her idea was to just start cutting, without anything being drawn. Oh dear, I thought, not being sure how that was going to work.

So I agreed and was shocked to see that she was able to cut out a beautifully shaped tree from her imagination--and then color it. 

In the same way, she produced a hummingbird as well. 

Me? I would have to draw it first, and then cut it out. 

We must allow, even our young ones, to use their imagination and not negate their (healthy) ideas, because they just might surprise us.

And for the record, no AI or Internet was used to produce her wonderful creations. 

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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Here is the link to Pope Leo at NCYC. (He comes on at about 1:28):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpe2BSXdyJA