Tag: thoughts

Coffee with Ralph #1: Internet

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What are we talking about today?

Walking down a beautiful road with clear blue sky overhead and summer breeze gently blowing on rich green trees, I found myself wondering in my head: is this even real?

What made you think that way?

As the internet becomes widely available in the world, more content is readily available to each person. Movies show us an alternate world that resembles so much to our physical world. Documentaries show us actual places that are somewhere on this earth. Video chatting allows us to stare at each other while talking in real-time. Sometimes even two people sitting right across from each other prefer to pay their attention to monitor screen instead of the person across from each other. With the internet, we no longer need the physical presence of other people in order to live in this world.

Why are we doing this?

The world is a lonely place (do we all agree?). Human beings are known to be socializing animals (this is scientifically proven, but I am too lazy to find an appropriate source. I apologize). We naturally feel a need to socialize with other people when we are alone. The Internet is now available to supply this need.

What is the result?

By substituting real human beings with virtual reality, we become more separated from real things.

Is this a good thing?

Perhaps, it is for some. Many people have different beliefs. Believing in what is real and what is not real has been a controversial topic, especially when it comes to religion. We read a fiction novel to imagine in our head what it is like to live in an alternative social scenario. Perhaps internet boosts empathy for some people who have difficulty seeing things from other people’s perspective.

Does it matter?

I don’t know. It will open a box to a whole lot of other questions. What is happiness? What is justice? What is real? These are subjective topics that are difficult to settle (I hope we agree on this).

What do I think about it?

I have been living in internet life for at least 10 years. My life has circulated around the function of my laptop. I lived in niches such as YouTube, Tumblr, Twitter, and NPR. I think I know the stuff that I know (like Syrian crisis) because I believe what the internet content says as true. It has widened my perspective on world history, world news, and specific interest areas such as health economics.

What should we do about this?

I think it is better not to dwell so much in the fear of losing a sense of reality by the internet. It is a powerful tool that is really useful. Of course, along with many other things, over-dependency is not a good thing. However, ignoring the internet at all also will not work so well, because there are many shortcuts one can take from information available online.

 

Please feel free to share your thoughts on the comments section below! 🙂

Paper

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As if it was poked with a sharp metal stick,

My left thigh suddenly buzzed and squeezed its muscle downwards

‘Am I dreaming now?’ Is someone poking in my brain while I am asleep?

Then I began to suspect the clear blue sky, perfectly round soft-looking clouds, and pixels of green leaves flickering sunlight in a wave when the breeze passes by.

Am I awake? More grumbled I was, as I imagined all the goods that could have been deprived of me.

Then I continued reading about romans learning the new ways from the greek, and how one of the greek was so stubborn that they drove themselves to the death.

I wrote: I live, for there is a justice that I must defend. I live, for there is the ultimate truth somewhere in this world I am conscious. I live, for what I am certain I know of.

It’s another fight.

7.13.2019

Roman

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A sung sang in my heart

Unheard by many, perhaps to even myself

Breathing, one realize one’s lung is dancing

Air flows, passively, but powerfully

Seeping into each inches of the body, it’s consumed, taking control of them

Flowing from one piece to the other

But then again, how does one place differ from the other? Time? Space?

Ah well applaud for the smallest, for the minute tick appropriates the universe

Dancing around it seems, even when all seemed to have stopped.

7.11.2019

Race

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Drums are beating again, once more for the race among the fray,

Sing along and join us in staccato tab dance, a tango with parrying swords

You are already missed among our fellow contenders, allegedly auspicious days are ahead

If you find yourself beleaguered, may your indefatigable pluck arise from deluge of darkness

Harbinger of affable colleague is already here, cheers to you, dear.

7.9.2019

Sides

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Though it’s painful,

We must walk the walk, like

Walking on the waves of ocean,

Walking on crackling volcano lava stones,

Walking on the thorniest cactus farm.

Perhaps the mirror that projects this pain

Perhaps reflects what’s inside all along

Singing a melancholy song of independence

Still, let me walk the walk,

For the end of journey is not now

So will anyone know the truth after all

7.8.2019

Cafe

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It’s a dance.

Crowded people chats over a cup of tea

Thick rimmed glasses staring at Apple laptops clicking their blinks away with coffee

Dreams, telltales, hopes, and victories flies around in the air, parrying in melody

In this friendly battlefield, a warm smile glanced over, beaming with courage,

An invitation, like a folded silk patiently waiting to be untied, flew in sweet aroma

Tickling it was, yet unnoticed.

Fizzling sunset calmed into a dusk, and then into darkness of silence and timelessness

In this darkness, we’ve met again. Passing by each other again.

Now I hope to see you again. In the eyes, and touch the fire that smelled so pleasant.

7.2.2019

Raining salts

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White, they are, falling from the sky

Not cold, not hot, just look warm
Solid, simply stays on the street.

Tiny bit by bit it falls, just as a hand of seconds doesn’t know when to sleep.

Truth is, it is salty. Ignore it and let it sit,
It will be bone-crushing heavy.

But sweat and tear will melt it away.
Where do sweat and tear come from?

7.1.2019

Vacation

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I need a vacation.

Bitterness in the face of an old glory told
over and over again, renewed
promises of beginnings

I just need to go. Exploding out of this confined space, flaming

every idea with new places. But

an oath had been made under an
Oak tree, far, far long ago.

It’s the reason I must shut
open my eyes in this blizzard of
sharp truths, sameness, and thirst

in spite of

betrayals, disappointments, and accusations.

Remember me not. For I am but one of many struggling souls.

Remember me. For I will arise from this ash.

4.3.2019