Greetings, readers. The big story for most folks here in the real world has been the weather. This year has to be one of the more disruptive winters – heavy rain, bothersome snow and high winds along with hot temperatures in the deep south and west. Toss in a few unexpected tornadoes and destructive thunderstorms.

The planet also took several extra turns at blowing tree leaves about, causing several extra trips to keep the grounds civil looking.

Know what? It was his real world that mariner had to contend with – not the world provided by TV, computers and smartphones. It felt good to have his own real world. He acknowledges the horrid strife across the planet caused by bullet wars, greed and inadequate resources but dealing with his own winter was a hands-on experience for him living in the Midwest. He could touch this personal world; he had to involve himself physically in his world with extra chores and repairs. There was a sense of freedom going one-on-one with his own real planet.

A good effect was his community stepping up to help neighbors clearing driveways and lawns (both snow and leaves).

As smart computers continue to encroach on our personal worlds, he fears that the ‘real’ world will be only what the computers say it is. Mark Zuckerberg’s dream of everyone living on line in a physical sense is identical to mariner’s oft-quoted Matrix film.

Humans must be able to engage in their own real world. It may be highly convenient to let a little gadget clean your floors or cut your lawns but you’ve given away a part of your own real world to robots. Is that good?

Ancient Mariner