Think about it in general the average American young adult
uses Facebook, Twitter, online banking, online shopping, online food orders, and
online payment of bills. We use the internet to multi-task. We job search,
submit resumes and track applications. We sometimes read blogs, participate in
online chat, use the cloud to save documents and yes, Google is so familiar to
us that you might as well add it to the list of American staples.
The younger generation appreciates convenience and ease: so
why wouldn’t you sync all of your accounts, put your calendar online, allow
different websites to cross-access your information on another website universe
and allow for automatic bill payment by companies? We read books via our
ereader, utilize text messaging as an extension of ourselves, and benefit from Skype
when we need to see a face but can’t be there in person. We access this
information on our phones, via our ipads, and laptops, even through TVs. Not
only do we see the benefit of technology, it has become like the air we
breathe. We have experienced its power, we see the potential and we’re
captivated by every cutting edge development. If we could come back in the
second life, we’d love to have the brilliance of the Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, or
Mark Zuckerberg. They are our entrepreneurial cultural icons.
Freedom to us is synonymous with the internet, a world wide
web, and a cultural world to be discovered. It can never be limited! We are
always finding new websites, tools, trends and resources. We meet new friends,
keep up with old ones and track the world’s news. We see the latest movie trailers, follow the
latest fashions, play our computer games, utilize our creativity and even win a
few dollars via online gaming.
Not only are these technology tools a part of our life, but
we understand how they work and the benefit of their powerful influence. You,
on the other hand, see the grave danger of a lack of privacy, you have stake in
private information and you understand freedom. We, however, do not, at least
in the way you want us to know it.
Before you go to your children with a voter registration
form, an invite to the next Republican benefit dinner, or a form to donate to
the latest tea party effort – be aware. The revelation of the Big Brother’s
massive intrusion of freedom you are experiencing seems like the next step to
crossing over the threshold into complete government take over. But to us, it’s
no biggy. It’s just a part of our everyday existence.
Don’t you dare give up on the fight to defend and preserve
individual rights and freedoms and your work to convince us of what we face as
a nation. The beauty of America is this: you have freedom to educate yourself,
we have a God who will give us understanding, we still have freedom to apply
the wisdom and you have a younger generation that needs your freedom and
relationship. All is not lost. You just may have a lot more educating and
planning to do than you realize.
Written by Amy Hawkins 6/12/13