The sound of one hand typing

Tip… Tap… Tip.

True story: On Thursday I was in one of my favourite coffee shops.

Tap. Tip tao. (Too damned confident.)

The manager, who knows me on sight as a regular, looked at me and said, “What happened to you?”

Backspace backspace p.

“Fractured my wrist on Sunday,” I explained. “Had surgery on it Monday.”

“How did you do it?” he asked.

Tippy tippy tap.

“Stupidly.”

“Was there alcohol involved?”

I shook my head.

“You’re right,” he said, “you did do it stupidly.”

Tippy tippy tap tippy tap.”

But amidst the pain, the painkillers and the adjustment to a temporary life of using one hand, there was a reality check, a little humour and a lesson.

I damaged my hand on Sunday which coincided with my birthday. The real gift I received was the care from various friends on the day that made sure I was taken to receive the medical attention I needed as well as offering concern or help until I’m back on my hands. They are all truly a blessing to be treasured in life. And I do, even more so now.

On the other hand (so to speak), I received many messages on social media from people I know who offered their kind wishes. I treasure those too. They did not have to take the time to write that they were thinking of me. And for that, I treasure them too.

Tip tap tip tap.

But when it came to acknowledge all the postings on Facebook, I was reluctant to discuss my wrist. To a degree, I was embarrassed by it. More importantly I was preparing to go to the hospital for surgery. So I thanked everyone for their good wishes and commented that it was definitely an unforgettable birthday. To my amusement that comment received a lot of likes from people.

And maybe that’s the lesson. Social media provides content, not context. And without context, it is easy to see how information can become disinformation or misinformation.

Tip tip tap.

And maybe it is the lack of context, that misinformation, that gives rise to alternative facts.