One of the first victims of the technology age was the letter. Think about it: when was the last time you sat down and wrote a letter, on paper and with a pen. In this age of instant gratification, we've come to a point where we are often losing face-to-face contact. I mean, where would you be without checking your email? And I know we have more than a few "Crackberry" addicts out there. The text message, certainly a time-saver and a convenience, even distances you a step further from hearing someone's voice on a telephone call. And, to be honest, I've completely "un-learned" how to write in cursive!
I'm sure you've all had that moment where you've sent an email and, being that email has no "tone" or tone of voice or body language to accompany it, the recipient misinterprets what you mean. A short reply is read as being curt or rude. A joke on your part is read as a jab by the reader. Electronic communication has made the world smaller, but in many ways it has driven a wedge between us. Its so easy to text a "hello," but whatever happened to meeting for a cup of coffee to catch up? Don't get me wrong-- technology has done amazing things for us, but, deep down, it has been at the expense of a piece of our humanity.
I think thats one of the great things about Eight at Eight. Its offline, so there is none of false statements and fake personas you find on the internet. You are sitting in front of other real human beings, exploring the possibility of romance and friendship in a real setting, not some virtual chat room. And no matter how technologically advanced we become, we will always need to EAT. So, when you sit down for dinner with people, you're engaging in an activity that has been around as long as time, sharing conversation and a few laughs in a way that isn't that far removed from how your grandparents and their grandparents shared a meal. Eight at Eight, and, for that matter, any other form of face-to-face activity, reconnects you with people. No typing, no wi-fi, no damn smiley faces made out of punctuation marks.
So, the next time you go out to catch a ball game with friends, sit down for a drink, or grab a quick bite to eat with your buddies, realize that you are sharing in experiences that cannot be replicated on your iPhone or by clicking a mouse. Technology is great and we all benefit from it, but make sure you're taking the time in your life to get back in touch with the real, the living and the breathing. And, when you get the time, grab the stationary and drop someone a line so that the art of letter-writing won't be lost forever.
