We can then ask a very simple question:
While the voices have become louder since the early 90s is it that people now feel more connected and heard, or that we are attempting to drown out the silence of some deep-seated pain?
Now we are too busy to think in terms of not being heard because all we hear is noise. But does this noise, this ability to comment and communicate with the world, answer our desire to feel like someone is listening?
When I was having a difficult day last Friday, I appreciated that someone was there to listen to my tale … my article in the making. Earlier that week I sent hundreds of emails out to Jewish educators informing them of my crowdfunding campaign. But while technically I was able to reach hundreds, those who responded were those I knew personally. Although technically the campaign is live on a website that anyone can view, those who have thus far given are friends of my wife or me.
While it used to seem attractive to send messages to the world, increasingly people realize that if a good friend comments back, then it was well worth the effort (the indication for this trend is the rise of micro-social networks).
It’s been twenty years since Gen Xers first asked the “nevermind” question. But while it once appeared that the internet and social media answered the question, we are beginning to ask another question: Now that I can speak to the world is anyone listening?
Social Revolution
If there is one shining moment in the era of social media it’s in the ability to stage a revolution. But instead of leading to anarchy, the point of positive revolutions is in the establishment of a new, better system (as explained last time). So when in recent weeks we experienced the unprecedented Facebook protests in support of David the Nahlawi, and now two soldiers of the Nahal Brigade’s Regiment 50, we also began to see a shift from the desire to have our personal voices heard to our one collective voice.
But this is also what the Torah personalities mentioned earlier (and those not mentioned) represent. A leader speaks on behalf of their community, and while his voice appears to be singular, his words represented the collective mind and heart of his followers.
Thus when rallying around a genuine and truthful cause (like the two just mentioned) it is good to have in mind the genuine truth and goodness of these personalities. While they have since passed from this world, we have been given a great opportunity to complete the mission that they began.
Our generation is compared to “midgets standing on the shoulders of giants.” No matter what our personal stature, we can see further when we recognize our accomplishments today as “standing on” the accomplishments of previous generations.
To quote from the Lubavitcher Rebbe:
This should humble us and give us the perspective to realize how we would never have reached the point where we are now without their help. On the other hand, we must have the full strength and pride of knowing that we are on the threshold of Redemption, and our final good deeds will finally tip the balance and bring the complete Redemption.
The way to heal the feeling of abandonment, the “nevermind” sentiment that was felt by both the Torah world, and in some way by the world at large, is to realize that our actions today have the ability to complete the process that was furthered by thousands before us … to bring Mashiach once and for all.