Voice of Appreciation

A while back, I stumbled onto an inspirational video. It’s an oldie, but a goodie, about an “experiment” that studied a particular method of spreading happiness and joy. I won’t spoil all of it, but it begins with participants writing thank you letters to loved ones and ends up with happiness and joy all around.

It’s difficult to put aside ego and dignity and express appreciation for the ones we appreciate. Maybe this video is just what we need to pick up that phone or draft a new e-mail. If not, then allow me to provide the two to my one-two punch: it’s a website called See Your Folks. It estimates how many more times you will see your parents before the pass away. It’s a stark eye-opener that you don’t realize until you see an actual number in front of you.

Life is short, but happiness goes a long way.

Communication & the Internet

We value communication in every industry and every job. We practice it daily, but rarely master it. When we awkwardly talk with strangers, we find ourselves sweating profusely. Our neurons rapidly fire, choosing the right words to say in the right order, tailoring on the go. Communication isn’t easy, and when we add controversy, anonymity, and the internet into the mix, communication becomes a nice, juicy flustercuck.

Online debates are often bubbling, boiling pots of irrationality, anger, and hatred. Differing perspectives are met with preset skepticism and condescension. Interweb citizens are wrong until proven right. And if you just so happen to misspell a word or use improper grammar? Heaven forbid! All notion of a sensible argument is lost, as the ravenous commenters feast on your mistakes. You lowly piece of turd, how could you have missed the ‘m’ in “whom”?! Do you speak English, you America-hating troll nugget? Alas, you have failed as a human being…