Recently we holidayed in the North East of England and this allowed a little bit of exploration of ancestors by visiting areas where they had lived (coincidentally on both sides of our family). It was possible to find a few gravestones and to visit places which would have meant much to our ancestors – but not much detail is available on record for people who were born in the 1800s. The advent of the digital age, and the possibility to Google your name (go on, admit it, you have done it several times?), gives us a glimpse of how researchers in 2112 will look back on our lives (unless of course Jesus returns before then…). I imagine that Facebook will give them an insight into our lives, by documenting some events we attended, people we met, collecting together conveniently tagged photos….
I wonder what they will think of us, those visitors from the future? I am not suggesting that we sanitise our online activity and try to put on a mask of how we would like to be seen – rather I am thinking that comments made in the heat of the moment might not be things we want to be remembered for ever.
The ongoing Leverson enquiry has shown that politicians' texts may be read out years later. I am also reminded of the careless racist comment on Twitter which landed the person posting it in jail. What we think of as disposable or throw-away, may last longer than we think. Words have a very longlasting effect, and the internet gives them a permanence and reach beyond our imagination.
How much of your profile would you like immortalised on your tombstone?
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4: 8-9 [NIV]
Amen to that.
Dave MacLellan
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