Paradigm Shift

There's been a change in the method of seminars, meetings, and general cell phone etiquette.  I guess the first change is that we no longer have cell phones.  We are all proud owners of smart phones (except for those small number of holdouts-those for financial reasons and those not wanting to "conform" to the modern mass communication).  These hand-held computers which brings to our fingertips email, weather, games, text messages, and the every important argument ender with the ability to "google it" using the web browsing capability.  And there is even a phone, if you ever find it necessary to actually verbally communicate with another...although now, it's mostly automated responses at the other end of the line.  This complex, yet user friendly gadget has also changed the way meetings happen.

The beginning of all meetings usually start the same way.  The one delegated person stands before the crowd with list of housekeeping, schedules for the day, and always says "please make sure to silence your cell phones."  The underlying message being don't let that thing ring while I or anyone else is talking, and in fact, why don't you just put that away...I don't want to see it out." God forbid if you slip your phone, noiselessly, out of your pocket to check for any recent texts, emails, or even the time; cause when you do the oppressive eyes of disapproval burn holes in you as you avoid eye contact.  But so much has changed with these smart phones.

For example, today, I attended a seminar by Brian McLaren hosted by the Christian Leadership Center.  It was quite a good seminar with some great emerging ideas and mind boggling concepts.  But, the great paradigm shift I noticed was the use of the smart phone.  Through online media sites like Facebook and Twitter, these smart phones linked those in the seminar together and those who couldn't be there in the community of this religious leader's encouraging words.  A one point, an announcement was made on how to link all the tweets together under one search chain, thus allowing everyone to see what others were saying at the time they were saying them.  This was a great way of emphasising important comments spoken by the speaker.  Little bits of wisdom left like bread crumbs for those outside the doors to follow to a sense of movement and purpose in the emerging church.  Pretty cool use of the new ways.  The thread can be accessed at this Twitter Link.

I thought about this as I was at a table with five or so people who are from the era of black and white TVs, rotary phones, and homes with less than one computer. As I followed along with these tweets, that were definitely enhancing my seminar experience, I felt the self conscience of wondering if these folks thought I was not participating, but rather being off task.

That's when I realized a mostly generational shift in the way things are done.  I find the evolution to be quite interesting.  I am getting to that age when I have years of experience behind me and I can (and have, I hate to admit) been able to engage in conversations of life pre cell phone, pre internet.  But, I will do my best to stay on the cutting edge of what's happening.  I figure if my octogenarian granny (love you) can be a fore runner of technological advancement, shouldn't I at least give her a run for her money? So, I submit this as but one of many paradigms to change in the near future, I'll keep my eye out and let you know about the next one.