Digital nomads

If someone were to challenge me to sum up my generation in one word I think it would be "nomad." Webster's defines 'nomad' as "a member of a people who have no fixed residence but move from place to place usually seasonally and within a well-defined territory." While the word carries certain connotations of bedouin and gypsy lifestyles it actually is a very elegant description of 21st century America.

We roam, not across deserts and countryside, but across information and relationships. This thought really struck me the other day as I was at the grocery store buying avocados to make guacamole to accompany a healthy plate of tilapia tacos. I was in the store squeezing the awkward green fruit, trying to find two that met my guacamole needs when something caught my eye. In the corner, next to the bell peppers--which, of course are really peppers--and the habaneros was a young woman, older than me but younger than 30, wearing headphones in one ear and a bluetooth headset in the other ear.

I have to admit, the first thought that came to my mind was: Why didn't I think of that? The second though was somewhat sobering. We live in a world where we can be completely caught up in our little spheres of influence, unwilling to move or to be moved by anything outside. We can get so segregated from the world around us that the very limited contact we have with people outside our bubbles can be blocked out by our favorite songs, making human contact obsolete.

I was thinking about this as I finished my shopping and paid for my goodies and while I did I noticed something. Not one person in the grocery store will make eye contact with anyone else. Butchers, sales associates, customers and cashiers alike are all caught up in their own little worlds, staring at their shoes when theirs happens to overlap with someone else's.

I can't help but place some of the blame on technology. Many people will argue that technology is neutral; it's neither good nor bad in and of itself, it just depends on how it's used. I will admit being a strict adherent to this theory until this year when I have had the good fortunes to hear people like Shane Hipps and John Dyer talk about technology.

I don't really want to get into the implications of technology theory right now, but it seems like we've become digital nomads without a home. The only place we're really home is inside our little bubbles. I'm no different, I just feel like I'm finally waking up from mine.

-Caleb Williams

To tell a story

I miss writing. I mean really writing. Writing with a purpose, writing with a story to tell. I guess there just aren't that many stories in my life right now. None that anyone will want to read anyway.

Lately I have been sitting behind my computer screen for what seems like 12 hours a day. The keyboard attached to the bottom of by silver-colored MacBook Pro feels like a part of me now. The LCD screen is like a window to the world that is passing by while I tirelessly toil away, trying to become something I never thought I would be. I have been playing with multimedia for a long time now and until relatively recently I have seen much of it as only a hobby. Now I'm beginning to think that I might actually be on to something with it.

My problem is that I have no area that I can really call my own. My specialty used to be writing, but only because that was all I ever did. Lately I have been playing with graphic and Web design and development. I love it, but I still love writing.

I've noticed a correlation between the two fields though: Both require a story, both are message begging to be told. Whether that is the relationship between sound and light, client and employee or man and city hall, they are all stories that need to be told.

That's my story now. I'm learning to tell stories in a whole new way; a whole new language.

-Caleb Williams

Ever had one of those days?

Have you ever had one of those days where nothing you do seems to turn out right? Yeah you have.

Just remember, at least you can roll over.



-Caleb Williams

What just happened?

I feel like three weeks just flew past me. It's been a crazy month with reading week, Thanksgiving and computer-related incidents to keep my busy.

Let me just say the concept of a reading week is awesome. A week where you can catch up on anything you have fallen behind on or get ahead for. I wrote almost 50 pages worth of material over that week and let me tell you, I glad it's over. Of course, I was three-quarters done with my final paper and my computer decides to stop working.

Kind of.

Apparently my computer was made with a faulty video card that blew, rendering everything I have on my computer inaccessible. Luckily, I had a backup disk but I was missing a couple pages of material for one paper that I finally finished today--it's due tomorrow.

I've been enjoying the drama of the close of the college football season, although I wish Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh would have blocked Saxet's field goal and cemented the Heisman. I can dream. As it is, I think Suh deserves the award, but he probably will come in second.

It has been an interesting week here in Dallas. The pastor of The Village Church, where Whitney and I have been attending, was diagnosed with a brain tumor last week. Thank God the doctors removed it, but he is still recovering and if my Christian View of Art professor is to be believed--and I trust him here especially--Matt [Chandler] will have a splitting head ache for a week or two.

The semester is finally drawing to a close and I'm not too sure what to do with myself. As of Friday, I am effectively done with all but one of my classes. All that's left is to turn in term papers and take one final exam. The only class I have remaining is an Introduction to Theology class that has really challenged me intellectually. It's not that the material is itself difficult, but the form of reasoning is a change. The class right now is really focused on helping us change the way we think and reason, particularly within a secular world.

I am really glad I lucked into taking this class with the professor I did, the man is a genius. Right now, we're discussing philosophy of science and the merits of scientific thinking versus religious thinking. I've always been a little intimidated about discussions involving faith and science--fascinated, but intimidated--but now I feel I have a sound way of reasoning with most people.

In closing, I'll leave you with a quick note about a trip Whitney and I took to Hobby Lobby. We were looking for some stockings and a nativity scene when we came across this little diddy:




Talk about taking Christ out of Christmas. Maybe its really an advent scene?

-Caleb Williams

Links in the meantime

Not a good couple of days. I have no motivation. I don't even want to be motivated really, but that's on me and it's something I have to man up to and face. Instead of elaborating on the last couple of days, here are some links to check out:

• A contributor to The Burnside Writers' Collective take a look at the growing prosperity gospel, comparing it--rightly in my opinion--to voodoo.
• Jon Stewart takes a look at recent election coverage ... yes, there were elections Tuesday.
• Joanna Brooks from "The Religion Dispatches" examines the complicated past between the Mormon church and blacks.
• Recent controversy surrounding Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes has led the player willingly to sit out the entire Vanderbilt game, ESPN's Chris low reports. Spikes was previously benched for half of the Vandy game by coach Urban Meyer after an eye gouging incident in the team's win over rival Georgia last week.
• WIRED magazine's Matthew Shechmeister wrote an amusing article about the death of Geocities.
• A friend of mine showed this video in class today, saying he imagines it to be a foretaste of Christ's return, the nations dancing together.

That's all for now. I'll write something when my finger stops hurting.