General / Off-Topic Updating Zen for the 21st century

Para Handy

Para Handy
Updating Zen for the 21st century (server issues here)

How about updating some of the well known Zen Kōans for our modern age.

I'll start:

So instead of "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" (yes I don't know that this is actually from Zen tradition or just a philosophy smart-bottom thought experiment) how about

Does a anything actually happen if nobody is filming it on their phone?


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(Sorry - I just couldn't believe the sight of everyone holding up their phone to film the London Eye New Year's firework display.)
 

Zak Gordon

Zak Gordon
It is so disappointing that so many people own 'smart' phones. From the social/economic implications to environmental, just 'fail'. A sign of the times :(

As for 'updating zen' i think against the weight of the modern world 'fail' (see above) it might be best to 'regress' it to a more basic ancient form? At least if we are to try and reconnect with a true path and meaning in our shallow consumer driven lives?
 

Slange Lands

Slange Lands
Isn't it zen to just go with the flow?
What must happen, happens.

I am indeed judgemental in that I utterly despise the amount of time people spend on their Iphones.
I am indeed a hypocrite in that although I do not own a cell phone, I would be uncomfortable without my tablet and internet access.

Oh well, I'm okay with that.

Just be aware.

:)
 

Zak Gordon

Zak Gordon
The computer i use the internet with is pretty much made of wood, it is that old. So that is how i get around all that, buy less stuff - make it last decades past it's sell by date etc. I'm cheap basically, and pretty zen overall :)
 
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Arry

Arry
"Man who stands by and films, has less chance of legal action; than man who stops to assist."
 

moorison

M
If the point of these kind of riddles and stories is not to get an answer but lead people to a certain way of thinking, then I am not sure an "update" is helpful until there is a time in which people have no concept of "tree" or "forest" anymore. This itself might be a worthwhile thought, but probably not in the spirit of Zen.
 
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