Efficiently Ineffective

“Technology…the knack of so arranging the world that we don’t have to experience it.” ~Max Frisch, Swiss playwright and novelist  (1911-1991)

The traffic signal glowed red as I coasted to a stop. South bound on Western Avenue, I was facing the Interstate 10 overpass.  Cars were lining up to turn onto the down ramps, but I was headed on into south/central LA.  It was daylight, though the sun had yet to make its appearance.

Glancing to my left, I noticed a large shiny black SUV idling next to me. The female driver had just finished applying an extra layer of lip gloss. She checked her image in the visor mirror then flipped it back into position. Retrieving her cell phone, she absentmindedly thumbed through her emails, occasionally glancing nervously at the traffic signal. During this flurry of activity she remained expressionless.

In the back seat sat two school-aged children, both well-dressed. They were staring at the corner of the SUV roof. It was easy to deduce that the vehicle was equipped with a video screen, and they were watching a recorded cartoon or a children’s show. Neither smiled nor even seemed to blink.

Movement to my right captured my attention. Turning, I caught sight of an old Schwinn bicycle coasting to a stop on the sidewalk. Seated on the bike was grandfatherly-looking black man, his tight curly hair peppered with gray. I couldn’t help but notice the bright glittery pink hand bag clamped in the spring loaded carrier over the back wheel of the bike.

Seated on the crossbar, in front of the old gentleman, was a young girl. It was obvious she was his granddaughter. The granddaughter was dressed in a worn, but impeccably clean, blue and white checked skirt of the Catholic School uniform variety. A pink book bag, which matched the purse, was carefully slung over her shoulder. She rode the crossbar sidesaddle, holding onto the center of the handlebars with both hands. This did not prevent her from carrying on an animated conversation with the man I supposed to be her grandfather.

I mused for a moment over what their circumstances might be. Particularly the circumstances that necessitated her grandfather taking her to school on an old bicycle. It didn’t seem to matter though, as they laughed and chatted to one another.

The sound of a horn brought me out of my moment of contemplation. The light had changed to green and as I pulled through the intersection I watched the “SUV Family” scoot away and disappear down a ramp to the eastbound 10, the two children still staring into oblivion.

I glanced into the rearview mirror and saw the grandfather begin to pedal the bike along the sidewalk arduously, but with great care, the two of them still chatting away.

No, I will never know the circumstances of those two families. But from all appearances, the grandfather and his granddaughter were far better off.

Just because we are living efficiently, it doesn’t mean we are living our lives effectively. We have been blessed with a great many wonderful conveniences which make our lives easier. Nicer cars, phones with cutting-edge technology, more efficient appliances all help to make our lives easier, but are they making our lives better? How can it be, with all the time-saving devices in the world today, we consistently seem to have less time for one another?

Author Fr. Richard Leonard once identified “technology” as one of the “7 Addictions.” The more we have, the more we seem to need. Like any other addiction, it provides us with a false sense of security. This does not mean that technology is inherently bad. But at the end of the day, “who owns who?”

When things go horribly wrong, as they did last week in a school in a sleepy town in Connecticut, we turn to human relationships for solace, not to technology.

I am not suggesting that life circumstances which require a man to take his granddaughter to school on a secondhand bicycle are a good thing.  And yet, stripped of technological conveniences, unable to call her, text her, or email her, he could still share his life with her. That relationship is priceless.

Dear God: Remind me always that there is a difference between sending a message and having a conversation.

“The drive toward complex technical achievement offers a clue as to why the U.S. is good at space gadgetry and bad at slum problems.” ~John Kenneth Galbraith, Canadian-American economist (1908-2006)

©2012 James E. Carper. All rights reserved.

“90 Second Stewardship” is a reflection on being a Christian Steward in a secular and sometimes harsh world. This reflection is written by Deacon James E. Carper, Director of Marketing and Development at Holy Name of Jesus School in south/central Los Angeles. All rights are reserved. You are welcome and encouraged to forward this e-mail to family and friends provided the”© 2012 James E. Carper. All rights reserved.” is included along with this message. Organizations, whether for or non profit, are required to receive written approval before reproducing these reflections. If written approval is given the “© 2012 James E. Carper. All rights reserved.” must be included along with this message.