You find yourself all alone at a party and except for the host who is back somewhere in the house, everyone in the vast room is a stranger. Strangely, you imagine all eyes seem to be on you, as though asking who is this fella. Your blank face cleverly shields a slow and rising panic, WDYD?
Instantly, your mind drifts inward, back to the comforts of that computer game you had just played few hours earlier with your online friends. In the last sequence before you are slain, you remember entering a dark tunnel with your flaming magic sword in hand. Aided by the light of your weapon, you see countless bats observing you on the ceiling, their tiny eyes illuminated as little orbs. As you hurriedly stumble into the lighted end of the tunnel, you disturb a horde of dark goblins huddled and chatting at a corner. And they suddenly charge wildly in your direction. WDYD?
Yes, what do you do? That slang term slash cyber acronym plays constantly in your mind as you find yourself drifting from real life to role-playing games. In both situations, it’s indeed interesting to know what one’s options are. While one is deep into the game world of elves and goblins, the best tactic would be to flash that flaming sabre around like crazy and slashhh, the goblins fall down like flies.
In the modern-day reality of the party, one has only to whip out the handy cell phone, prop your behind on some comfy spot in the sofa and whoof… awkward situation instantly clicked to pause, strangers frozen like ice and like a soothing balm, the magic gadget in your hand saves the day. Happy!
I will never forget an old friend who complained about having several guests flashing out phones at parties while others were merrily deep into the festive occasion. He said it feels insulting in a way, as if openly hinting that they would rather be somewhere else than here. Somewhere out there in YouTube universe, Simon Sinek, English-born author and popular inspirational speaker agrees and as additional ammo, he hints at a hidden flaw.
Even as the sincerity of the person in question is clearly shot and betrayed by the gadget in their hand or prominently flat on the table in front of them during conversations or meetings, all that it exposes is that, no matter how they hide it, they are weak and of vulnerable nature. In a sense, these are not confident people, but deep down shaky and insecure personalities who whistle in the dark with their androids as cane support.
So please, even as I myself am guilty of such crutches, a little understanding for this malady. In the pretense of trying to act cool and collected, it’s really pathetic that unknown to us, the slip is showing no matter what. Reminds me of this song that was pop not-so-long-ago. Deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child.
