She swept in rendering us helpless against her elements.  Yet, through her, we learn what’s important in life–water, food, fire, shelter.  And people.  Connecting with neighbors, calling on family, communicating through whatever means possible, almost as if that communication is life sustaining in itself.

Technology heightens and deadens communication at the same time.  The Internet beckons, e-mail, voice mail, texting, all feed our urge to connect.  But those same things coupled with TV are what keep us apart, separate from human interaction, where tone of voice, facial expressions, and touch connect us.  When electricity dies, so do the false relationships on Facebook and Twitter.  The keyboard can’t keep you warm; the remote doesn’t provide sustenance.  In survival mode we need people, real people to help.  A tribe of sorts.

So, how do we blend our “screen” relationships with the human element?  Maybe Skype gets it right.