One of My Phone's Neatest Features

One of the neatest features of my new phone is its ability to send photos directly to Flickr. There is something exciting about the immediacy of it.

It is raw and in the moment. Any sentiments expressed are unfiltered and perhaps more honest than the ones ones put down on paper several hours or days later, after enough time has passed for the mind to reflect on, shape, label, and properly file the moment into the catalog of one's memories.

I must admit that I am somebody who is easily caught up in the moment. When presented with a beautiful view, it is the most beautiful view ever. My eyes don't allow my mind to correctly rank what they're seeing. To do so would be a disservice to the moment.

Then again, how valuable is immediacy? How critical is it to record and share one's thoughts of the moment at that precise moment? Without interpretation, reflection, and perspective, what does the present -- this very second -- mean?

I took the photo above while standing atop Crocker Point in Yosemite National Park yesterday. I was alone when I snapped the shot, but during the few seconds it took to send the photo to Flickr, it felt as though there was a tiny group of people there with me, seeing what I saw. It made me feel connected and strangely disconnected at the same time -- a sensation I wouldn't have experienced if not for one of the neatest features of my new phone.