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Angus Productions Inc.

March 20, 2010

Ron Torell
Ron Torell

Back to Basics

Technology hypocrites

Information overload! This best describes the e-mail inboxes of the authors of this article. If you are of the "over-50" generation, you probably feel the same way. In addition to e-mails, the now favored means of communication by the younger generation is texting. Let's not forget Facebook, YouTube and MySpace, twittering, blogging and chatting. When the over-50 generation was growing up, "my space" was where you were not.

We all have relatives and so-called friends who feel compelled to forward to everyone in their address book every joke or piece of worthless information that comes across their computer. Most recipients in turn forward this information on to those in their address book, thus perpetuating the information overload problem. How do people find time to enjoy life, get their work done and still fully participate in all these modern forms of communication?

We have to wade through all the junk in an effort to get to the valuable information. It has gotten out of hand. This new technology is supposed to save, not cost us time.

Look 'em in the eye

The authors are concerned that due to the addiction to rapid technology-based communication, society has lost sight of the importance of one-on-one and face-to-face communication. For good reason our parents made us look them in the eye when we talked to them. By looking them in the eye we automatically changed our attitude and knew to tell the truth. Our thoughts and attention were in the present. We listened attentively to what our parents were saying. How irritating is it to be talking to someone face-to-face while they are preoccupied with their Blackberry®?

Many kids today cannot function without a cell phone, texting or twittering capabilities. These people are not living in the moment. Maybe the over-50 authors are the ones who need to get with the times. No argument, these are fast and efficient ways of communicating, but they also alienate us from one another.

We need to do a better job of showing the younger generation the value of social interaction such as brandings, community BBQs, and porch time with the older generation. These settings are fundamental to our rural communities. Have you noticed that most modern homes do not have a front porch anymore? Our young people need to be shown that slowing life down a notch is a good thing. Some of the best times, best discussions and learning opportunities occur with real people talking to real people in a pleasant setting face-to-face. You cannot do this with a text or e-mail because you cannot look one another in the eye.

Embrace the technology

We do not have to like technology to embrace and use it. This may sound hypocritical, but e-mail, texting, Facebook, twittering, blogs, chat rooms, MySpace, and YouTube are currently the preferred methods of communicating effectively to thousands or even millions of the general public. Our adversaries, such as the Humane Society of United States (HSUS), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the Western Water Shed Project and wild horse advocate groups have and continue to effectively use these forms of communication to misinform the public about agriculture. Certainly, if agriculture stands a chance of survival, it is paramount we use the same tools to counter these attacks against us. For these purposes we must utilize these forms of communication more, not less.

Now, for the hypocritical portion of this article, we propose that everyone in agriculture go to their "outbox" and flood the general publics' "inbox" with true and positive information about agriculture. Send your positive information of choice to everyone in your address book who is a city dweller or whom you consider a misinformed member of the public. Ask them to in turn send this pro-agriculture message on to everyone in their address book.

Earth Day, April 22, 2010, would be a good day to educate your city-dwelling friends and relatives about agriculture. Once you have sent your Earth Day message, go outdoors and slow life down a notch. Revert back to why we are in agriculture in the first place — to enjoy nature and what nature has to offer.

If you would like to discuss this article or simply would like to talk cows, do not hesitate to e-mail Torell or contact him at 775-738-1721, e-mail McCuin or contact him at 775-237-5326, e-mail Steve Foster or contact him at 775-273-2923.



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