By Mark Antony Rossi
What is friendship in the modern era but a bond stronger than family and more true than any political or religious affiliation. I realize that my definition seems out of place. Perhaps Webster’s Dictionary will protest my candid description. I’ve survived longer by using dictionaries as firewood than arbiters of reality.
Sadly, the term family is more a political tool than honest collection of well-meaning blood relatives. l’ve seen more blood spilled by family than any semblance of unity or civility. The very place where competition should be abolished it flourishes like thick weeds in suburbia.
And how is it possible to maintain a real friendship in politics or religion when each entity regularly tests your loyalty to its own end. By no desire or hidden agenda you may be pitted against your friend. The cult of personality is a jealous creature not capable of sharing your attention.
For all of our technological tools, the smart phones, laptops, email, social media and internet I continue to meet people whom still seem out of place and desperately alone. What happened to the communication we we’re promised decades ago? It was supposed to enlightened our lives and make us less afraid of the stranger because we would tear down stranger-hood for a new electronic neighborhood.
We deluded ourselves by expecting technology to improve the human condition instead of recognizing the need to improve the human condition first and then technology might become productive and positive. Right now machines just transmit and reproduce human fault and fear.
If it weren’t for our blessed friendships that often endure beyond marriages and manic ideology I’m afraid humanity would face greater peril. There time periods in each and every week where it is healthy to abandon gods and government and simply seek solace in the face of a friend. Only there can our souls regenerate enough to withstand the deification of stupidity that is called social interaction in the 21st century.
About the Author: Mark Antony Rossi is a poet, playwright and author of the bioethics volume “Dark Tech” now available from Amazon. His most recent plays have been produced in Liverpool and New York.
http://ethical-stranger.webnode.com/