There are more and more instances of lack of acknowledgement these days. Some we chalk up to stages of life. Others we brush off to poor timing or other circumstances well beyond our control. But today we have been given new tools that make the act of ignoring another human being all that much easier, and all that more deliberate.

Think about it. Caller I.D. allows you to select which phone calls you will pick up and which you will allow to go to voice mail. A familiar trash can icon is a frequent recipient of the emails and text messages that aren’t deemed worthy enough to receive a reply. Social media sites call other people who contact you “friends” but give you the option to “ignore” any request. Miss Manners would be appalled at how easy we have made it to ignore and dismiss another human being and we’re convinced it’s not only acceptable, but appropriate.

So, I say we fight the passive act to ignore. Defend the human need to connect. And remember that there are human beings behind the phone calls, emails, texts, and all the other ways we use to communicate with each other. What happens if you imagine making eye contact with whoever’s request, question, idea or sentiment you’ve chosen to ignore?

People are rarely mindful and to a large extent thoughtful anymore. Should we discard our personal boundaries and become reactive to all of the thoughtless fodder that comes our way? Or do we find strength through being intentional, transparent, and honest?

Fight the Power!!

Sorry Trib, sometimes I just don't want to connect. It isn't a choice I make to ignore someone as if to say they are unimportant. I get lost in my thoughts, or am soaking in the sound of silence. I am finding peace within my environment.

I could in fact argue that people are intruding on my peace with their incessant email, phonecalls, texts, yes?

Not only that, but when a significant percentage of those are unsolicited spammers/scammers, where's the incentive to want to connect?

I wasn't refering to strangers, nor people you've "met" online that live 1,000,000 miles away and send 762 emails a day, but more of a real life situation.

For example, sometimes I'll call my mother and she wont answer or even call back, friends I've known for years do this also. Everyone seems so busy now-a-days and we’re more narcissistic than ever in only thinking of ourselves and not how our efforts (or lack thereof) will effect those we have relationships with.

I got rid of caller Id, take my phone off the hook if I don't want to be bothered (resting, meditating, etc) and figure they will call back if it's important enough. I even got rid of my answering machine, only those close to me in relation/friendship/love know my cell phone number and can reach me/leave a message if they really need to find me or talk.
Life is getting simpler all the time.
It was so much better before all the technology hit. You're right T, no one put someone on hold to talk to someone else, and then be rude enough to go back to the first caller to hang up so they could talk to #2 caller. If you didn't anser the phone, you weren't home or were occupied and couldn't. People went over peoples houses to visit and have human contact, not just type them. I wonder about the kids growing up today and think of a old Ray Bradbury story where everyone was so isolated in their cube. He was right. (BTW- author reference may be wrong). I like to go visit people, and it usually turns out to be a good time. We getting to be bots, thats why I cut it all out of my life.

Would you like to buy a phone subscription plan for only $49.99?

Sorry Tribbs, but caller ID is a Godsend once in awhile.

with The Divine Hammer

I find it fairly simple to be intentional, honest and transparent and still be able to delete spam with little or no afore thought

Huh? What did you say?

I very seldom will ignore a phone call from someone that is close to me it has to be a rare moment.... that I do... And if it happens I always call them back within a few hours or at least the same day...

I do the same with any missed calls. Could be due to I like to talk.

If they text me I always text back for the only ones I text are family normally or real close friends...


Even e-mails to those that I e-mail regular with very seldom will sit very long without me replying unless I have not been online to do so..... well except for those that I have no idea who they are or suspect to be a scammer and hell even some of those I will reply too....

ten seconds to love