When I agree with an ad campaign...

The truth of it is, I am utterly motivated by Dentyne's new ad campaign. I saw an ad on the bottom of my MSN window, but before I had chance to click on it, it disappeared. So, I did my own digging whereupon I found Dentyne.com. On the top right hand corner is a clock counting down from three minutes. I didn't think anything of it until the three minutes were up and this popped up:

I am blown off my feet by the truth in the sentiments put forth by a company that really is only trying to sell gum.

People at my church keep asking me why I haven't added them as a friend on Facebook. Truly, I'm touched that they've noticed they don't have me on their little lists. My grandparents push me to "connect" with people other than family, saying I have made it "Family-book." I say it's that I'm shy, and honestly, that's part of it. But there is one thing keeps me from gathering up the courage to go and "Friend-Request" the living snot out of every soul I know in all of Yuma county. Let me explain:

I have connected with people over the internet. I have fell in and out of friendships. Met some people who I had absolutely no right, rhyme, or reason for knowing. But, I knew them. Made friends with them, watched the ups, downs, and corkscrews of their lives.

But, I have never seem them face-to-face. Never once have I had the opportunity to smile at them with more than a ":)" nor have I ever been able to touch them, to hug them when their situations were dire. I never was able to get to know them on the levels only obtainable by body language and eye contact. So, say you owe me a drink for being a good friend all you want; how much do I really know you?

I'm socially awkward. Getting to know people by "body language and eye contact" isn't my forte, and it never will be if I continue to get my social gratification from pixel-people that are nothing more than binary signals when it really comes down to it. When push comes to shove, when we peal away the eggshells.

In short, I'm not going to Friend-Request you and communicate with you on Facebook until I can do so honestly in person. It won't be easy, but it's what all of us need.

Imagine yourself in another country. Just do it. We Americans, despite all your jazz about Southern Hospitality, and the Big City Sense of Community, are cold, shallow, and distant. I exaggerate, of course. I currently live in Yuma, Arizona, and am blown away by the level of friendliness. But, even that is not good enough. Did you know in some nations it's okay to hold hands just because? Regardless of gender... or how platonic the relationship is or isn't.

Not that I'm much for the mushy-gushy stuff you see with the batted eyelashes at small tables at coffee shops. You know what I mean. How often, did you ever notice, that the couples aren't even looking at each other. They're perusing the crowd as if to say: you and you and you -- look at me, I'm in "love" so I'm better than you, look at this thing I can claim as my own. That's all fake, anyhow.

But, I'm talking when it comes naturally. The smile, hug, pat on the back, whatever. Human touch has become antiquated. Today we rely so heavily on digital gestures. The two images above are examples of Dentyne print ads. They speak volumes. So, consider this: a kiss as an instant message, and a hug as a friend request.

Honestly, I'm far from being able to answer my own call. I have insecurities just like everybody else. But, I have a question for me, and for those like me: those lost in a digitalized generation.

What is truly important in this world?

(All images are screenshots taken on my computer of dentyne.com)