We're 'Gonna Text Like It's 1994!!

I had a dream last night.   A dream about my high school crush, and to this day, I still get a little weak in the knees at the mention of his name.  But, in my head, he's still the tall, blond, hunk of a man from high school; that's how he'll stay in my mind.  This dream wasn't anything special, we didn't run off to far away places, have steamy lovin' or anything like that. But, we were back in high school; which is how I like to still see myself.   

We were put in charge of planning some sort of school event that required him and I to work closely together, again, nothing too crazy.  But, I began to notice something strange.  We were texting, 'Googling', and using all sorts of technology that were absolutely not present when I was in high school.  And, after I woke, I began to think; how would our high school experience have been altered had we had this technology available to us?  And then, I thought, 'Wow!  High Schoolers DO have this technology available to them now!" 

What an immense amount of pressure it must be to constantly stay 'connected'.   What would it have been like if my parents were able to call me when I was sneaking beers to a party?  Or, what would've it felt like to Google the research for all my reports, rather than going to the school library and pouring over mounds of Encyclopedias?  I don't think I would've liked that high school experience.  It's enough pressure, just to get through those awkward years unscathed.  Think if every one of those awkward moments were on social media, or there was a cell phone photo for almost everything you did?  I'm glad I only have a mental picture for some of the stupid things I did; passing out on someones front lawn, making out with a friend's (much older) brother at a party, and countless other brain buster moments. 

I really feel for high schoolers now.  It must be an insane experience to constantly be 'on', and not be able to unplug and be yourself.   I probably would not be the person I am today, had I been that wired in as a teen.  I worry for my guys, in 10 years or so when they're in high school.  And in 10 years, they could be teleporting there and eating pills for meals.   They'll never have to learn to cook or drive, won't it be amazing for them?  To never have to learn a skill, or get their hands dirty...a little machine will do that for them!  Wow, personally, I can't wait for that inept group of kids.   At some point, aren't we concerned that even though we're growing leaps and bounds technologically, that we're creating a mediocre person as a result? 

My High School Self, circa 1994