Living Through The Screen

Last night I was at a fireworks display in Quebec City and I looked around to see that dozens of people were recording the fireworks. They were watching the show through their phones and cameras instead of experiencing the real thing.

Why? Will they ever look back on this video? Did they want to share the video with somebody?

It got me thinking. Why do we take so many pictures and videos now?

If it's because we want to share them, why? And with who do we want to share them with? With loved ones or with the world of the internet? Do the other people even care?

If it's because we want to make sure we remember everything, why do we need so many pics and videos? Will we ever go through them all again? Would just a few pics instead of a few hundred spark the memories?

We go through life picking up habits and doing things without asking one very important question. A question that every 5 year old knows and says way too much (or perhaps us adults just don't say it enough).

Why?