By Abe Villarreal
I like to see photos where people aren't looking directly at the camera. Pictures of moments in time that weren't meant to be captured. We don't have pictures like this anymore.
In 50 years, our grandchildren will wonder why we were so happy. So well-combed. So unblemished. They will try to figure out who we really where. What we were trying to hide. Why we wanted to be so perfect.
Reality has become less real, and it means that we know less about each other. Still, we feel more connected because we share more frequently. We post every moment. At least that's what we think we are doing.
I would like to live in an era where there is no photography. No film or recorded audio. A time where you must use all your senses, your memory, to capture what you are experiencing.
We won't rush to our phones to post and share what we see with others. We'll remember the moment, every detail. There will be a need to pay attention to what is in front of us. To watch and listen.
No filters will be necessary. If something is dark, it's meant to be that way. What we see may be blurry, not clear. We'll have to wonder. It will be good that we won't know everything. Life is better when it's a bit mysterious.
Accidents will happen. People will see them happen. We won't be embarrassed about our complexities. Our imperfections will be out in the open and acceptable.
When we say that we live for the moment, we will mean it. We know that the moment may not happen again. We really live for it.
We won't need prompts or encouragement from machines. Our lived experiences will give us the knowledge we need to communicate and live our lives. We'll know more because we'll see more.
That's what's happening today. We're not seeing enough, living enough. We feel that we are, but we aren't. Most of what our brain takes in are alternate versions of reality. Softened versions.
Things aren't rough around the edges anymore. Restaurants are less colorful and more uniform. Bars have less smoke in the air. Medicine has become stronger. We've become more immunized and less willing to confront danger.
Books are not as long. Pages not as wide. What we hold, we can hold with one hand. We're using less of what we need to help us figure out what makes us strong.
All of this is happening because of the need to capture everything digitally. All of this could go away if we put down our devices and lift up our heads. We open our eyes and we take in what's around us.
I like being able to see photos and videos of places far away, places I may never visit in person. Even more, I like being able to hear about those places from someone who was there. I like imagining what it would be for me to be there based on what they experienced and shared. In person.
That's how we should live our lives. In person.
Abe Villarreal writes about the traditions, people, and culture of America. He can be reached at
