I believe technology’s advancements toward making communicating more accessible and instant has actually made people feel more isolated and lonely.
For the future, I hope there is a movement in our society that strives to pull away from living virtually through our devices and shifts to embrace more of a “time gone by mentality” - taking things back to the basics. Living in the present vs living in a virtual reality. And don’t misunderstand my idealism for less screen time and more face to face as a yearning for an actual living interpretation of M. Night Shyamalan’s, “The Village”.
I have a love - hate relationship with social media & cell phones. A few of my woes are, the constant nervous grabbing of the cell phone, must be the new nervous twitch. More and more daily interactions have taken on a new form of proper etiquette, it seems universally acceptable now or everyone is choosing to be completely blind to it, jury is still out on that one. But whether communicating with a co-worker, relative, friend, or partner, it seems to be more of an accepted way to communicate when engaged in a conversation with a person and also scrolling and checking your news feed on Facebook on how many likes you received on your last post or even worse checking up on what someone else’s activities have been on Facebook, trying to analysis why he liked that woman’s post or why she commented the way she did on your post. Everyone acts like they are indifferent and they don’t use social media to troll around, but everyone also knows that’s a lie. This only adds to the delusion, making it hard for people to admit they have a problem with social media. Almost as if there’s a silent social stigma associated with admitting it. It’s exhausting and so unproductive, and I believe it hinders people from being happier and more fulfilled by wondering aimlessly on social media for fulfillment, this creates a void that social media can’t fill. This only provides an instant gratification to temporarily placing an electronic band aid to quiet that issue, which resembles most people’s phones or computers.
Anyone remember looking forward to actually receiving a phone call from a person through an actually voice conversation on a phone that is now considered a land line? I understand it is more convenient to text and respond to someone and seen as rude or hurtful if a person doesn’t respond through text or email. Wouldn’t it be worth trying not to pull your phone out nervously while out? You never know who you might talk to or what new person you might meet. Has it become that unpopular to actually engage with a person you have scheduled to meet for lunch or set time to talk with by not looking at your phone and focus on them as they talk and reciprocate with engaging conversation and a plus, eye contact? I guarantee both people will be more fulfilled and emotionally charged, leaving with their cup more full than before.
Please do not assume that my choice of topic exempts me from being guilty of doing the exact thing I am criticizing. However, I think it’s good to be aware of one’s shortcomings and strive to improve on a daily bases.
What IF there was a shift in the way we looked at technology that spread across the world? I truly believe this will happen. Even one group of people that break away from the norm and push out of the norm to not broadcast or showcase the highlight reel of their life through social media apps. Even if eventually this change will only be prevalent in small progressive pockets scattered throughout the world atleast there will be an awareness that spreads slowly and hopefully be extremely contagious.
There will come a time when the longing to find something deeper, more meaningful, more tangible, more pure…will prevail. And we will get back to a simpler time, living more in the present and connecting more with each other face to face.
I think moderation with every aspect in our lives is the key to a fuller happier life. Free will is a beautiful thing which gives people the power to change their course. To surround themselves with people from all walks of life, with all different viewpoints. We just have to find our “Tribe”. When we do find them, that’s a magical, wonderful and amazing thing, but we as individuals have more power than we sometimes are aware. We have the power to create our own reality and shape our tiny little world the way we see fit and to follow our hearts in their full destiny and desire.
It’s basically that simple, and that’s powerful.
~trp
2/3/2017
