I imagine that for some people, it has. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it can't take the place of the actual experience. I suppose some folks have forgotten what it feels like to experience an event by actually being there, and I imagine there are those who grew up with social media and don't really understand what they're missing because it's all they know.
I used to think it was no big deal to go to a museum - what's so interesting about looking at historical doodads?? But years ago, there was a traveling exhibit of some of the Smithsonian's artifacts that came through the Cities and I decided to go. There's something about seeing the stovepipe hat actually worn by Abraham Lincoln that left me in awe. And I don't care how good the social media feed is of Niagara Falls - it's nothing like standing next to the falls, hearing - and feeling - the power of all that water rushing past you. The Grand Canyon is much more than just a big hole in the ground, too. And there's something about live music, be it an orchestra or a rock band, that can't be experienced by viewing it on social media.
With that said, I understand that sometimes it's a big hassle, fighting traffic and crowds to get anywhere, and that sometimes it's impossible (event is sold out), in which case social media may be your only choice. But who really wants to watch shaky smartphone video shot by someone who can't figure out that they should turn their phone 90 degrees and shoot in landscape view?? Happily, in the end we each get to decide for ourselves if the real life experience is worth the trouble to get there.
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