MEscovery

I stood next to someone at the tills today. I knew that person and yet I totally pretended I hadn't even spotted them. I may have even looked the other way and scooted off before they got a chance to notice me. Not because I don't like that person. It's just that in that moment I panic slightly about exactly who this person is and where I know them from.  I quite often go blank when I need to remember someone's name. That's if I even realise I know that person before they approach and I have to frantically flick through my internal contact list to try and look less blank - even worse when you have to introduce two acquaintances. Excruciating.  I do genuinely like most of these people. It's not a lack of care or interest in them that causes the social memory loss. But I definitely wasn't first in line when facial recognition was being handed out. My phone probably has a better chance of that than I do. Siri - help! Does anyone know of any tric...

I remember listening to a radio segment (is that what they are called?) once where the presenter was talking about going offline for a week. No Facebook, no Twitter, no emails, no texts. At the time (admittedly it was a couple of years ago, which in technology/social media years makes it ca. the ice age) I was a bit confused by this concept. The thought that NOT checking in was a challenge. Oh how ignorant I was, young and foolish. It's not that I'm addicted. I just happen to get repetitive strain injury in my hand from using my iPhone too much. No biggie. Happens to all of us doesn't it? Oh wait... Pardon? You say something? Sorry, I was just checking something. Important stuff of course. Isn't it all? The thing is, it's not. It's just a habit. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Zite, Feedly. And repeat. Because in the last two minutes something earth shatteringly brilliant might have been broadcast on one of the aforementioned. Or not, but then at least I know...