So we got ourselves into a dilly of pickle haven't we? We both love the freedom of social media and online life for our businesses, personal lives and communications with the world... but at what cost? Studies have shown that we are changing ourselves through our behaviors and our brains and minds are being affected. Whether we do this consciously or not, depends on if we are willing to see the evidence. But my hope here, is to show the community the scientific evidence that our new found passion, while exciting, promising and (seemingly) with few side effects... is actually something we should all be aware and wary of as we invest greater and greater time and humanity into the screens before us.
So what I will do here is just lay out some interesting material for consideration and I will let it speak for itself. Feel free to skip and choose as you like, but just remember to think about your own life and if and how any of this applies to you presently. I hope to address the changes in society as they are happening so we can have a discussion about it and move towards a sane future where we are able to balance our online passions with our offline lives. We are in new territory. Our ancestors both did not have these tools and distractions readily available in their lives nor would they likely have access to the same studies and research about the impacts on health, relationships and society as whole. Since we don't have any excuse, it is good to take an honest look at ourselves, the situation we find ourselves in, and try to find a balanced solution to the issues surrounding increased screen time in daily life. We all need to find our own way and that process starts by examining reality. . .
Why our screens make us less happy | Adam Alter
Also check out this interview with Simon Sinek on Inside Quest:
Simon Sinek & Dopamine
And lastly you may be nervously laughing at this one:
Digital Hygiene: How We Might've Fucked Our Attention Spans
There are many studies and centers focused on screen addiction in youth and adults... a phenomena very new and specific to our times. While we may think we are under control of our habits, how would you really feel if the internet just STOPPED one day? Or you were unable to use your device or computer in the same hyper-connected ways we have become so used to? It's worth thinking about. Or watching the South Park episode you were just reminded of now.
Maybe I let Louis C K share his thoughts as finale to chew on
Louis C.K. Hates Cell Phones
As for me... I think I will turn the power off and go for a walk in Nature to think about all this.
Then I'll see you later.
But maybe a bit later than usual... you know, to go live my life, rather than just blog about it.
See you around,
Image source: here!
Last Question...
IF Social Media is as addictive as a Slot Machine to our Brains, then what happens when it ACTUALLY PAYS US?!?!?!?
RESTEEM to show you care! Upvote if this information was helpful! Comment if you have something to Share!
I havn't had a look yet at the movies you added, but was reading your text. Sure there is a addiction. Just as our parents are addicted to the TV. And yes, it's more than probably healthy. But how many have to sit on the screen, just working for someone. A classic 8x5 week? Is it not an addiction, just because i took this job? I am looking for balance, as well. Balance means for me nature, because just going for a crowd for "real" meetings I never really enjoyed. And this was already before the age of laptop/mobil/ipad. People are mostly annoying to me, and perhaps i am a bit like an autist in this social matters, and for that you don't get flowers outside your door.
I know what you mean. I also find it odd to see the collective effect of these devices in our lives. We were both probably a bit awkward and anti-social before the internet, now that it is here, it is kindof nice to find new ways to relate to people. Many people have a difficult time both balancing their online and offline work, either because of their job or interests but also their online and offline personas. We don't talk the same way on radio as we do the phone as we do in an email or how we might in a skype call. I would never ask a group of strangers to write me an essay for money... but I did do just that on here and today I need to pay the winner. I am glad online life is different. The thing that will be most interesting for our generation then, is to go through the trials and errors of our ways to find a new way of life that might actually be sustainable. If not, we just go back to Nature :)
Great post!!! This is all by design to get everyone conditioned..I am sure you have heard this before about many different issues but it is true. The internet is now the #1 communication tool and if we are all dependent on it for work, social, banking and news/world updates, we will have a rude awakening one day when the government shuts it down. There will come a time, in the not so distant future that this will happen..it may be a test at first just to see what type of reaction they can get out of us .. then, when we need the communication tool despirately, it will be cut off. I remember 9/11 when they shut the cell phone towers down and people could not even contact their families with updates - how frightening!!! We will all get over out screen addiction real quick .. hope this post brings in some good debate..I love good debates on Steemit :) Thank you my Friend..SUNSHINE247
Technology is such that we could make internet by combining our wifi's, maybe not over the ocean though so your romantic conversation is still valid :-)
Imagine being stuck with all Tamil Internet......... :/
அந்த ஆப்பிள்களை எப்படி விரும்புகிறீர்கள்?
What a lovely comment! I must say, as much as I don't wish to believe, I think you might be right. I did a post on pole shift that got me thinking about how it would be possible to just set us all up for a big fall by simply not telling us what was coming around the mountain, so to speak. That is being optimistic. If it was something nefarious and intentional, all the worse. EMP, exercise 'drills', 5G towers and technologies we probably experience but don't perceive may very well be looming over our reality in addition to the basic troubles of being screen enabled monkeys. I know I have to look at my relationship to screens, but it is also tricky when screens also provide intangible connections and value that DOES reconnect me with HUMANITY as a whole and my own. The trick then, is to remain balanced in gain and loss. Nice to be here, fine to be elsewhere :)
I agree with you as to the value that DOES reconnect us :) Its a scary thought to think that we may not be able to communicate with loved ones in the even that this happens. I have hears so many times "You do not have to be afraid if you are prepared". Maybe we all should be thinking about this :) I absolutely love posts like this..Thank you again!!! SUNSHINE247
A real pleasure! yes, I have noticed a particular phenomena with guys on Steemit where their enthusiasm for the platform starts to shoulder into their relationships. Usually around a month or so in the partner joins and often takes to it much more easily. That said, I think as Marshall Mcluhan said, the medium is the message. What you use to say what you say is saying as much as what your are saying. Standing on the lawn with a poster vs late night text from your suitor. The screen has it's potential, but we need to keep the limits in mind too. I think you remember the days of landlines, the world before the internet and google and perhaps, you too miss some of the innocence and charm of those times.... Thanks for the perpetual sunshine @sunshine247 !
Oh do I remember the days of landlines - stretching the phone cord so far down the hallway that it would not longer spring back into place .. and true story, my we used to stay the weekend with our Grandman and when we wanted to call home to talk to our mom, she would make us put a dime in the can on the kitchen table - her phone bill was based on the number of calls she made :) If I did not have a dime, I had to work for it. I never cared that I could not see the other person on the other line, I only cared that I could hear their voice. Wish we could go back to those time :) SUNSHINE247
That is so cute! And a clever system by the women in your life ;) Though you must admit, I bet the first time you had a FACE to FACE skype call, your heart and mind couldn't believe it. I wish I could have both! The magic of limited calls and the first time seeing a distant friend's face. Maybe the great off-lining or Augmented reality will restore the boost/novelty.
So true, so true my friend!!! I am going to continue to follow this post, I am excited to see what other comments are posted :) SUNSHINE247
I'm not addicted! I'll tell YOU when I've had enough!!!
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