Amazing…though a bit unsettling…that our identities can be recognized by a self-chosen set of jumbled letters and digits.
Logins, online id’s and passwords have become integral to our existence. In the early days of cyberspace, we felt secure in our selected identification sequence.
Life is more complicated now.
Certain sites require a password change every so often; our choice of symbols is rated according to strength. (You can start feeling insecure when the screen keeps saying your password is weak. Who wants to be a wimp?)
Feeling depersonalized in today’s world is not uncommon – but a recent visit to the lab for some routine blood work topped it all.
Upon entering the facility, I encountered a small kiosk which spit out paper numbers. A television screen in the upper corner of the ceiling showed the progression of the patients who had arrived before me.
I was now C206.
Taking a seat, number in hand, I noticed the receptionist, no more than 4 feet away. I was the sole person in the waiting room at the time – but a pleasant “hello” wasn’t part of her program.
You would have thought I was invisible.
Then came the digital voice from above: “Now serving C204 at Station 2”. Whoa! I guess this is the modern version of “Someone will be with you in a few minutes.”
Funny that a machine would call me to the front desk when it would have been so easy for the receptionist to glance over and ask me to be seated.
I wonder if she ever feels as if she has lost her voice.
Once the Digital Director sent me to “Station 7”, my encounter with the lab tech was very pleasant.
I did, however, have to verify my “identity” by stating my birthdate and checking the spelling of my name. The computers aren’t that smart yet.
Upon exiting the lab, the questions lingered.
Is this how our future interactions will be? What is happening to friendly personal contact?
More importantly, have I been fully recognizing the person before me?
I vowed to make an effort to speak to the grocery clerk, the server at a restaurant, or whomever – in a friendly and more personal way.
Everyone deserves to be more than just a number.
beWARM 
Lovely reminder, Toni. We are more than numbers. We are God’s unique beloved children!
thank you! we are missing the chance to hear God through people…
for sure….
…oh Toni ….crazy..sad..awful…that is how I have thought of all this ‘tech world’…yet, to see it as an ‘obvious opportunity’…to go out into the world around us..yes, as you said so well…and ‘greet others’ with a smile…..they will be happily wondering…why is this person smiling at me..and saying ‘hi, how is your day going’…….it is rather fun…and it keeps me on my toes…
love you..love your words…keep them coming girl
!
And keep your words coming too, Frannie!!!
Amen!
Your description sounds just like a lot of large medical facilities here! On the other hand, my doc’s office has a great receptionist with a terrific sense of humour which I experience whenever I’m there! It’s not all impersonal! Love your thoughts Toni. We need to work on another project together and TALK!