Make Face Time

So, Dentyne Ice is running this new ad campaign based around the slogan "Make Face Time" For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, here it is:



Now most people are taking their ads and making them more technological. The ads have more bells, more futuristic styling. Dentyne...now they seem to be going back to basics. I applaud them for this campaign and it made me think.

Our generation is one of cell phones and text messaging. Facebook and instant messaging. We are more connected to each other than ever, but at what cost? All the things I just mentioned are all technology related. When we can't see someone, we just hit them up through whatever medium we think is necessary. But what about face time? I'm sure we've all seen the movies where the group of rural teens are hanging out in the field just talking and joking around. Now that is face time. I'm not saying that we all have big open fields and talk about baseball the entire day. The concept still applies today.

Being in college, friends are spread out across the state/region/country, and I acknowledge that. This is where Facebook and IM and phones come into play. We can get a hold of and catch up with people even when we can't see them. We can go so far as to use webcams and mics, and get that pseudo-face time. While this is a good way to keep in touch, it is no replacement for face time. For instance, if they're only a few hours away, why are we seeing them only a few times a year? Without the physical interaction, memories cannot be made. Memories are very important, some say memories can save your life. Others, like Scottish Essayist Alexander Smith belive "memory is a man's real possession...In nothing else is he rich, in nothing else is he poor." You wont remember typing with that girl via IM, the dim glow of the screen illuminating the room. But, you will remember the time that you hung out for a day, and had fun. You'll remember the look in her eyes, and the feeling of the breeze, and the beating of the hot sun. This is where memories are made.

Seeing as how spring breaks are quickly approaching for everyone, I'd like to pose this to you: Instead of going away to some tropical hot spot, go back to your home surroundings. Call up all your friends, get them around.

And Make Face Time.

S.T.