Presence, that invisible spark, spirit, or energy that permeates all living things, is like the broadcast frequency that delivers Game of Thrones to your device. Without presence, there is no show, no life. The full spectrum of human development might be viewed as the act of enlarging our capacity to decipher the hidden meaning in presence. Only a tiny fraction of our neural activity, five-percent, is invested in what is imagined; knowledge, cultural beliefs, all the things taught in school, and information. Some experiences, swimming in the natural world, for example, overflows with meaning, with presence. Others, relating to the digital and virtual world, or technology in general, is devoid of presence. The virtual-digital experience is a counterfeit. What’s missing is presence.

With all my chattering about how attentive Carly is, and she is, at the same time Carly is often eyes-wide-open-vacant, dreamy. Sitting at her buffet this lovely morning there it was - the stare. Bread and egg in her hand, Carly was off in another dimension. I had to bring her back with a direct look and smile. She giggled.