Quite Frankly, that is T.M.I.
The modern-day slang, T.M.I. (too much information) is surely impacting our lives these days. I mean we live in times where there is surely no lack of information available to us. At any given time we can Google, ask Siri or Alexa anything and get answers to everything. It is really convenient to just ask Siri where to go, how to get there, or how many cups are in a gallon, and in seconds you have the answer. But, is this really a good thing?
I think with the Covid pandemic it has come to light that we live in a society with way too much information. Our worldview is so muddied by scads of information coming at us from every direction.
The sources of information that were once deemed reliable, are not so reliable anymore. It amazes me that you can have a general conversation with someone and they’re able to tell you what news channel you watch, or what they think you watch. Why is this? No matter if you are left or right there is a mirage of angles that any given story can have. The same story can be told in completely different ways depending on what news you are watching. It seems as though Journalism has become more opinionized than factual and the term, “consider the source” seems relevant. The really confusing part about that is our source is an opinion of what each of us deems as reliable. That leaves us in a situation where we have to dissect every piece of news and decide for ourselves.
To further complicate things, our “sphere of influence”, impacts us as well. We have the tendency to consider the thoughts and opinions of our friends, family, and colleagues when we are trying to decipher what is right and wrong or where we stand on any given topic. Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms, in general, have taken this information overload to a whole other level. We unite and divide all in one shot on these platforms.
It’s great to stay connected with family, friends, and business associates but on the contrary, what we post can take us from hero to zero in one instant. In this divided world we live in, what is liked by many will get you blocked by others. Opinions can get heated and people can be offended that your likes are different than theirs. Keyboard warriors are a dime a dozen these days. Many of us are in denial, but other people’s opinions and stances play on us as humans because we all want to feel accepted by our family, friends, and peers.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not all good or all bad, but rather… confusing. These subliminal algorithms can help us in many ways, no doubt, but on the same note, they can be poisonous too. It is a double-edged sword, it must be put into proper context. Again, who and what we trust or believe in must be carefully analyzed.
Most recently, I was stunned and felt my privacy was totally invaded when I went into a store and did some shopping. I stopped and looked at a chair that caught my attention, sat in it for a minute, and went about my business. Later that day, I received an email from this store that contained a picture of THAT chair, and the subject line read, “The items you were eyeing today”. Really?? I was totally creeped out by that. I found it to be in very bad taste, although, after careful thought on the same note, it was brilliant… or was it? I mean seriously, that really is too much information!
How do we make sense of it all? How do we navigate such uncertainty? How do we protect ourselves? In this complicated world in which we live, how do we respond? How do we make choices when the information is endless and can be found from one end of the spectrum to another, on any given life choice. Where is the anchor for truth??
Well, I am no expert by no means, I am an everyday country girl living in a modern world that confuses me at every turn. I only have one answer to all of it. Jesus!!!! One thing is for certain, in more than 2000 years the bible has never changed. God’s word and promises have never waivered, his love and grace surround us.. Let’s just say Siri, Alexa and Google are great tools to help us navigate but the truth is they don’t really have all the answers to our questions, the Bible does. So the next time you are confused or uncertain about how to respond, don’t ask Alexa, pray instead. Open the Bible or your Bible app and find the answers, I promise, the best answers are there. Follow him, he is the best influencer this world has ever had and his directions will bring us peace and grace that this world is greatly lacking. His news channel is full of truths and His word is reliable and most certainly…
His algorithm is tailored just for you!
Love and grace,
