Don’t Just Spectate, Participate

This is the new slogan for one of the myriad of gambling sites that advertise during hockey games (all sports events, news shows, etc.). It reminded me of the previous slogan I did a post on, “Make every moment more”. Both are calls to action with the promise that placing wagers on sports will make your life better somehow. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t get how that works. Don’t get me wrong, if you want to bet on sports – or anything else for that matter – go ahead. Just be smart about it and don’t put me down because I don’t want to.

      For me it’s kind of like going to strip clubs. If that’s what you’re into, fine. I just don’t get being in a place with a bunch of drunk and horny guys ogling scantily clad or nude women that they can’t touch. Even when showering the women with money, the guys still only get to spectate, they can’t participate – at least not legally. Maybe it’s their way of making every moment more – costly.

      The new slogan also reminded me of all the people with their eyes and fingers, so focused on their phones that they miss out on real life. We’ve become a mass of spectators constantly engaged with apps that are supposed to connect us to the world but only push us farther and farther away from it. Replacing human contact with electronic dopamine dispensers.

      I feel the same when people ask me why I am not all over Facebook. I am on the site only as a necessity for some organizations I belong to and I refuse to get sucked into that bottomless pit. I prefer living life and being with my real friends to “hanging out” with FB friends in a virtual – fantasy? – world. Call me crazy, but I really don’t care what kind of sandwich you had for lunch or where you are right now. Of course, if I was of the criminal sort, I may be very interested in seeing that you are currently on vacation and your house is empty.

      Yes, this post was inspired by the gambling site’s new slogan, but I see it as a wakeup call for those addicted to social media apps. How connected to others are we in all those apps, chat rooms, boards, and websites? If those connections are so fulfilling, why are so many people who spend most of their time and energy on such things often the loneliest?

      Put down your phones, step away from your computer – and TV – and start living your life for real. You will be much happier, you’ll feel more connected to life, and you might just help someone else unplug for a bit too. As Red said in “The Shawshank Redemption”, “Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’”

                 www.RetiredandInspiredat55.com  05-18-2026

Enjoy the upcoming long holiday weekend, and please remember

what Memorial Day stands for.