The Glare On My Glasses

I have a confession. I am a gray mare who loves technology, pressing my nose to monitors and screens for hours each day. And yet, my brain is sharp, my knowledge grows. I can carry on philosophical conversations with donkeys, using an extensive vocabulary of words. Grammerly says the top 96th percentile. And I’m multilingual, fluent in calming signals of several species. I don’t miss a sunset and dogs still like me.

Somehow, our generation thinks it’s cool to hate technology. Or maybe it’s human nature to be critical. It’s our survival instinct. We’re wired to see things that aren’t right, just like horses. The difference is they bolt when they feel danger and we can reason it out. Recognize threats, weigh the risk, and choose our reaction. But we start the same, looking for the worst. We are born pessimists. It takes courage to trust, to be optimistic.

When I hear people talk about kids these days wasting time, always having their noses pressed to their smart phones, I have to smile. Is this our generation’s version of yelling at kids to get off our grass? People my age are prone to complaining about youth, but why do we see technology as the problem? Kids who are not computer literate will be left in the dust. Just like we will be if we don’t stop complaining and make peace.

Should kids be outside? Yes, and I hope they have a phone with them. They can call for help if they need it. They can time their runs, listen to books or music that inspire them. Keep up with the news and get home before the weather.

We are horsewomen, and traditional in some ways, but I hope we have phones with us when we ride. I know people whom that nasty little thing saved. I use mine to record notes when I muck because my best thoughts come then. Because I lose time in the barn, my phone means people can get hold of me. Best, I can see who’s calling and answer if necessary, or pick up the message later when I’m done scratching ears. When there’s a vet issue, I take a photo and text it off. Maybe save myself an emergency night call or load up and get help quickly.

If you have a cell phone, you can video your ride and see what your hands are doing. Perfect for self-awareness. Share video of the horse you’re looking at buying and ask someone’s opinion. You can take a riding lesson from me no matter where you live. And there’s a recording of the lesson when it’s over.

The obvious complaint is that sitting in front of a screen is unhealthy. Sedentary. Dormant. Dull. Idle. And it’s true. Science says sitting at a desk is more dangerous than horses. Maybe after working outside all morning, it could also be considered rest. If I’m teaching an online class, we are laughing, sharing the good and bad, and working to understand our horses. We can spend time together, regardless of what dead end road our farms are on.

As a writer, I sit in front of two monitors. I combine thoughts, creativity, and technology because it’s also the quickest way to do the job. These screens get me up and out sooner, a tool like my muck fork. The sooner I get done, the sooner my dog and I can play keep away. And I can take it all on the road and work from there. Call it working at liberty.

Of course, I make it sound rosy. I know there’s downside of all these monitors. But technology isn’t black and white. Its benefits clearly outweigh the drawbacks. Is it the machine or is it social media that we hate? I’m old enough to remember the innocent days when lost friends got in touch and kittens ruled the internet.

Now I wonder, when did we all get so mean? Does the screen give us permission to sit in a place of judgment on the sofa and be critical of everyone else? Do we give up our own search for understanding because it’s easier to hit “like.” Is there some blanket get-out-of-jail-free card for being cruel and now saying the meanest comment wins? Thumbs up or down, like the Romans. Life or internet death.

We all feel the pressure to be on all the time, as if Big Brother is watching. But one out of context photo and heroes can look like monsters. Lynch mobs ruin careers in a beat, without proof. Professionals quit, some commit suicide. Amateurs lose confidence for fear of criticism and the next generation is less willing to be vulnerable.

Haters have always been part of life. It seems that portion of the population has grown with social media or maybe just increased their volume and my dread. If we become cruel to each other, while feigning concern for animals, or any other worthy cause, don’t we become like them? We negate the good we hope for when we attack each other instead of the issue. I want to think we’ve gotten lazy. That it’s as if we fell asleep during a movie. When we wake up, we’ll do better and not take the easy choice.

We can’t put the genie back but do we really want to undo the progress that technology has brought? Or is the problem social media? Whining only adds to the trash. But we can pick and choose, knowing that our time is our vote. Some sites are still inspirational while others are slow-motion death and destruction. Is it time to give up Facebook and move to a better neighborhood? Join a kinder community like The Barn School or at least find social media places with less advertizing and more heart and intellect like Substack.

It can feel like life is out of control, but slow it down. There is always a choice. Consider affirmative training ourselves. Build each other up instead of tearing it all down. We will certainly make mistakes, but rather than magnify the misstep, shine a light on those trying to be the people that animals can trust. Each choice changes the world.

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