TMI

TMI: Too Much Information.

I was thinking about that today. I think that in our society today, we share WAY too much information.  I know someone who is sick and he hasn’t said what is wrong with him. Am I curious? Yes.  But I don’t think it is anyone’s business and, if he wants to keep it to himself, then that is his prerogative.  Someone else I know thinks that he should say what is wrong.  What’s the big deal?  Well, I said, it is probably personal and he wants to keep it private.  The “someone else” thinks I’m wrong and the sick person should share.  If he did share, I think I would probably end up saying “TMI…did not need to know that is what is wrong with you!”

I think there is too much sharing going on today.  I don’t need to know the details of some famous person’s operation or medical procedure.  I don’t need to know the personal “he said, she said” details of a couple’s separation and divorce.  And I certainly don’t need to know the day-to-day minutia that seems all the rage on Twitter.

Needless to say, I’m not on Twitter.  Since I am under the impression that very few people read this blog, which I am careful about writing and only share what I think is interesting, I doubt anyone would want to read the minute-by-minute update of my life if I was on Twitter.  Do we not have better things to do with our time?  Do we need to spend the time writing on Twitter and, then, reading what other’s write?  Isn’t this just way too much information?

Along those lines, I had a discussion with someone about the prayer chain at church.  My friend felt like we should know the details about why a person needs prayers.  Not only that they are sick but also what they are sick with so we can be purposeful in our praying.  I disagree.  God knows why the person is sick.  I don’t need to tell God the details because He knows more of the details than anyone else will ever know.

Yes, it is wonderful that we are an open and communicating society.  Yes, it is wonderful that we can know the dangers that lurk.  It’s good to know about things so we can learn and grow and protect ourselves.  Or to know things so we can support each other and pray for each other.  But can we please just keep the gory details to ourselves? Can we just respect not only other people’s privacy but also our own privacy? If you feel it is really necessary to share the details with someone, tell God.  He already knows, won’t be shocked and can help solve the problem.  Me? I would just hold my ears and yell “TMI!!!”