I was talking to a gentleman whose son, Al, lives in his father's house alone.
He lives about 15 miles away and comes over two times a week to buy groceries, clean, and cook for Al.
Al did not finish high school, and at the age of 23, is legally allowed to drive but has chosen not to get a license. His only social connection is entertaining himself by playing video games with friends online and on social media.
“I just don’t have time to do any chores like cleaning, trash, washing clothes, or taking care of the yard,” Al says. “Dad takes care of those things when he comes over.”
“It’s good,” the dad says, “Al being alone doesn’t bother anyone, especially when he cusses, rants, and rages, and thank goodness, he doesn’t have a drug or alcohol problem.”
The dad continues, “I have painted myself into a corner. If I kick Al out of the house, he will surely fail. If I let him stay as he is, he will be safe and entertained but what kind of future is that for him?”
Our access to computers and the internet is amazing and the world is at our fingertips.
At no other time in history have we had such abilities to equip ourselves to learn, grow intellectually and prepare our lives for future success, and yet there are times it seems we would just rather be entertained.
Computers could be utilized more frequently to strengthen, expand, and prepare our minds to be more productive today than they were yesterday and more tomorrow than they are today.
Utilizing them for empowering, accrediting, and investing our time and talents to secure our lives is the key to our future.
The world needs people who are expanding their minds and talents.
The gaming entertainment world is looking to use our time and talents to entertain us and make themselves wealthy by keeping us distracted.
The purpose of this conversation is not to judge or condemn but to compare and contrast how each of us utilizes the internet—to rethink if you will whether we are amusing or empowering ourselves.
Opportunities exist for all of us.
There is nothing wrong with entertainment. The problems come when we try to live in them.
I am not sure how Al will face the next years of his life, but I am afraid he will be unequipped to become independent and socially skilled.
It is our choice to be captured by gaming companies and entertained or to equip ourselves and use the internet with a greater measure of wisdom.
Watch for the blind spots.
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Blind Spots in Relationships
What I don't know I don't know about myself
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