RELATIONSHIP INFLATION
Interpersonal connection is ultimately all we
have, but its value has been subject to a deadly economic inflation as
pseudo-connections have been rendered unlimited by digital media. The
principle at work is the same as currency inflation. Produce too
much money in response to demand or economic weakness and the currency loses
its value. Our spiritual economic weakness, the hunger for more and more
meaningful relationship, has been met with a profligate printing of currency in
the form of FaceBook, Instagram, and the panoply of other social media.
We can connect with anyone anywhere at any time.
As a result, individual relationships and
interpersonal bond have been devalued. We find ourselves in the position
of so many nations throughout history who met economic privations not with
addressing foundational economic weaknesses but by printing more money to
momentarily placate the hungry, demanding masses.
We have not addressed the underlying crippling
spiritual economic condition that leaves us hungry, empty, bitter, angry,
frightened, and lonely. We have responded to our spiritual ache of
loneliness by minting ever more digital interactions, rendering them all
worthless. We lug our bag of "likes", "followers",
and "friends" to the relationship store and come away with a stale
piece of bread, to which we respond by collecting more "likes",
"followers", and "friends", each newly minted
"connection" rendering all connections more superficial and fleeting.
Values of currencies arise only from the
productivity underlying them, productivity in turn arising from work and
investment. Values of relationships likewise possess that value only when
productive, when the exchange of relationship interaction among parties has
some mutual and meaningful lasting benefit. That is an economic parameter
independent of any treasury, exchequer, or media corporation. We each
individually determine the value of the social currency we mint every day, with
our authenticity, depth, and sincere listening, none of which are encouraged by
screens and keyboards. Log off. Listen. Care. Watch the
wealth accrue.
