Hierarchy of digital communication

It seems like there's a certain hierarchy of digital interpersonal communication. It's almost innate as new technologies become commonplace. Some events warrant a text message but not a phone call or an IM but not an email. This list is by no means exhaustive, but I am at least trying to limit it to interpersonal communication, excluding modes like blogging, conference calls, etc. where there are multiple recipients. I'd actually be curious on how others perceive the order and even additional interpersonal modes to those below. Here's my top down list.

Video Teleconference
Phone Call
Push to talk / walkie-talkie
Email
Instant Message
Text message
Private social network message (facebook message)
Public social network message (facebook wall)

Rich people are spending less

According to an article on CNN.com, the slumping economy is impacting the consumption of extravagant luxury treats. No need to feel sorry for the rich, but it hurts the workers who provide the goods and services. So now for the ethical question: should we want rich people to live more indulgent lives so they can support low and middle income wages?

My car the car magnet

This weekend I paid the final payment on my car which means that for the first time in about 11 years, I'm finally driving a paid off vehicle. This morning on the way to work, I was rear-ended by an enormous truck. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and amazingly, my car didn't sustain any damage.

I am a little concerned though. The last paid off vehicle I owned was the trusty Ford Tempo which endured a spree of accidents, none my fault. This poor car was backed into at school, hit head on at an intersection, rear-ended on the way home from school, and finally backed into by Mom. I'm really hoping that I haven't ushered in some new curse of the paid off vehicle :)

My friend is no longer listed as married on facebook

I've seen this a couple of times on facebook in the last week. "friend's name here" is no longer listed as married. What's troubling is I'm not sure how to interpret that statement when I'm not very up on their marital situation to begin with. Is their marriage really over, or did something just happen on facebook? Seems a little awkward to ask.

John Piper on the Prosperity Gospel

Headlines can be deceiving

Headline on CNN: Gasoline Prices Slip Again
My Reaction: That's good news
Actual Article Content: "The average price of unleaded gasoline fell to $4.096 a gallon from $4.104 the previous day. The nationwide average is down nearly a penny from the all-time high of 4.108 a gallon."
Revised Reacation: This is not news.

Nearly a Penny? Thank goodness for this relief at the pump. How is this relevant? Seriously, are gas prices really slipping when they fall by 8/10 of a cent? I know math & business sticklers will say yes, but this is not news.

The Reflexive Nature of Senses

Even though our senses are primarily extroverted, it's interesting that they can reflect back their own nature. Our eyes can see themselves; our hands can feel themselves; our tongues can taste themselves; our noses can even smell themselves; our minds can think about themselves.

Something Better

It's an interesting phenomenon in Christian and non-Christian circles alike, that when something sad or disappointing happens, a friend will reassure the discouraged that there's something better waiting for him/her. I think there is a little bit of Biblical justification for this, in regard to God working all things together for good, but I'm not sure that there is any type of one-to-one ratio on this. In other words, if you apply for a job and don't get it, it might not be that it was a bad fit or even that God has a better job in store. It might be that it just didn't work out, as opportunities sometimes don't. There is likely something to be learned in the process of disappointment that contributes to sanctification, but I'm not sure if there is a promise beyond that. I only point this out to be realistic, not pessimistic. Treating disappointment as a rain check for a future blessing, while temporarily reassuring, can lead to a sense of entitlement that may or may not yield a result. If we intend to encourage, and not merely console others we should be careful in how we exhort others to handle disappointment.

Travel (reprise)

I have to echo my August 11, 2007 post about travel, ie: that I like being other places much more than the travel itself, especially when it involves airlines. I'll add at this point that a head cold with sinus congestion makes this even more true. My ears still haven't gotten over our cruising altitude of 37,000 feet.

Painting

After painting most of my house, I can't get away from the reality that everything surrounding the painting is really most of the work. Taping, covering, cleaning, redundant trips to Home Depot, etc have been much more tedious and time consuming than rolling and brushing paint onto the walls. Insert life application here.