Watch the Preview, Read the Book

A couple of weeks ago I read a book co-written by a good friend of mine, Tim Willard (along with Jason Locy). It's called Veneer: Living Deeply in a Surface Society and I devoured it. I guess it's easy to lose yourself in a book when it's saying things you've thought before...just a lot more eloquently.

It spoke to me because I too am frustrated with Facebook - and social media in general - and how it's changed the way I interact with people. I admit I've been guilty of creating a picture-perfect profile that doesn't reflect my true reality. We all want people to focus not on who we are as people, but what we're doing, thinking that's what defines us as people. I think the links in the right-hand side of this page are proof of that (Yep. Busted on that count, too).

The more connected we become with each other's online profile and pages, the more disconnected we become with each other as people. It makes me sad to see so many people out with friends and instead of interacting with each other, they're glued to the screen of their smart phone.

I blogged about the book here and talked to friends about it, but to be honest, I don't think I captured the essence of it and its message very well. Fortunately, they've just released this video that encapsulates it the way I wish my blog(s) did.

So yea, check it out and let me know what you think. Let's talk about it. Not via IM or Facebook or text or even email, but face-to-face over a cup of coffee.

I'll leave my phone in the car if you will.