The Power of Offline Connections in a Digital World
No one needs an introduction on how technology, particularly Internet, has changed our lives. This isn’t one of those articles about how bad technology is. I love technology and so do you. It’s amazing how we are connected with each and every one and all the access we have to worldwide information at our fingertips. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with technology, the internet or notifications. But sometimes it’s better to start thinking about putting more limitations and cutting down on the time we spend in devices.
This might come from the odd side. I have myself spent holidays binge watching favorite Television shows, listening music, mindlessly reading articles and much more I can’t recall. That’s not the point. But it is ridiculous when people plan to meet up and go on a long-drive only to end up chasing and catching Pokémon. When they keep checking their phone for new notifications and what might have happened something, somewhere; instead of living at the moment. It’s unnecessary to get dragged out of any moments that you want to be truly present in. For the next hour, we couldn’t stop thinking about what that notification could be, and what could be happening in the world. It’s everywhere and that’s not an issue with our phone — that’s an issue with our self-control instead.
The social media is a weirder place; getting so anxious in sharing the best bits, but leaving out the emotion. Lively masquerading its insight and faking its intimacy. The world itself is just one big hoax. This media we call ‘social’ it’s nothing but when we open our computers and doors we shut. When we step away from this world of over stimulation, we wake up to see a world of confusion. Living like this shouldn’t be a norm. Is this what we voted for?
Contrary, we all know why we do this. Because it’s hurting to be real. And easy to pretend and fake happiness and spam each other with our burning commentary for social acceptance just because it’s easier to be a part of the parade. It’s getting harder to believe the truth and to accept the fact that we all are humans. To be calm with our own non-upgraded existence and to be comfortable with our own messy, human selves becomes a revolutionary act. Pretty much, no one on the internet is living the life we think they are. The more we realize, the more it is a good thing.
I am guilty too of being part of this digital world. It’s the same way with screens and devices and being connected. I like it, and I don’t want to stop — but there’s got to be a line because it feels great to take ownership of your time. Of getting away from screen and exploring about some ideas and challenges that take you out of your head and get you into a different lane. It is so tangibly different to feel the difference that ‘being there’ will make. Instead of burying our heads in the new app or new smartphone in the market, we often forget that some of the most meaningful times are spent in person and learning to co-exist.
May be, shift to basic goodness and smile when we have low battery. Shut down that display, Take in your surroundings, make the most of today. We have finite existence, a set number of days. When the close comes nothing worse than regret. When you look back and recall the time you made, just by giving life attention; how glad you didn’t waste it by looking down at some invention. Don’t give up on life following the hype. Go out, leave distractions behind. Measuring self-worth by getting likes and comments isn’t real. What we need is somebody to know you, call you and fall into. That is real. So may be going out wouldn’t hurt and so wouldn’t having some honest conversations. This is real life, don’t you know. :)
