As someone who came about in their senior year right when texting was a new technology, I can see how much it has effected people. They were texting one another during class and I just couldn't see the point of it. Fast forward to 2019 and I dread answering a phone when a simple text will do.
I think in a lot of ways I've seen this progress through the use of social media. I think people are too absorbed in their phones and need to detach themselves from that. I stopped using a smart phone 2 years ago to cut myself off from that absorption and get back to living in the now.
I don't have a Facebook or Instagram, don't really find the use for it. I would rather work on an art project, read a book, or do things that are more productive to my existence.
I think people have this false idea of who they are/who they want people to see them as, and they project that into the social media sphere.They would rather be seen as something great than work on edifying themselves. It's okay to be a work in progress and trying to better yourself everyday.
I've been told before, much like Albert Camus character, The Stranger, that " I don't play the game" but shallow interactions are the bane of my existence. I'd rather connect with people on a deeper level.
Living without a smartphone has help me to see how much that can affect our existence and how much I don't want to be a part of that rat race.
If you read this post, I suggest you do the same, for the sake of your soul and well being. Disconnect and go smell a flower. Enjoy your love ones and find peace.
I really enjoyed how you talked about the sudden advancement of technology and how cellular phones (which use to be a luxury) is now present in every pocket. The disconnection from social media is something that I also share. Great Post!
ReplyDeleteI feel like phone have taken over and for sure makes me think I should delete certain apps. You have really good points.
ReplyDeleteI think you make a great point about how interaction with one another can become very shallow. I think it's accurate that in many cases (not all) we've slowly reduced the thoughtfulness that used to be expected when communicating. Instead we've replaced it with whatever is on trend at the moment so that we can "stay relevant".
ReplyDeleteWhat a way to end a solid post! I think i'm going to disconnect from social media for a bit now and go smell flowers. I really like how you discussed an identity crisis like effect that technology is having on people.
ReplyDeleteJohnathan,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your idea of people wanting to be perceived a specific way on social media. It's tempting to want the attention through likes/comments as well as complete an aesthetic. However, it is superficial in the sense that it is one second of your life being displayed for everyone to see and there could be more of an unhealthy importance to how you want your followers to see you compared to family/close friends you see everyday. I think a lot of us had a childhood before technology so we can be saved, the question is what about the younger generation of today growing up in it?