Technology/digital / social media I always believed will help in bringing people together . I felt it’s about being social and not anti social . It’s about virtually meeting people across the globe and learning more . However yesterday I had this realisation that I was wrong!
Pic courtesy : Google
Technology is taking away from us the ability to be “human” . It s making us anti social . We are forgetting that taking action doesn’t mean a post or like or retweets. I have been unwell and been home yesterday and this thought dawned upon me (idle mind :)). When I go on whatsapp first thing unconsciously I see is what time was the other person online last , but why did I have to know that or even look at that? Is it my intent to know more or is it that we are insecure or is it plain curiosity? I don’t understand why we are blinded by these apps and platforms . Isn’t addiction the right word? So many thoughts occurred to me like,
Why we sit across a table with friends and stare at our phones . Why we can’t live without touching our phones for even an hour. What if we spent the phone time on people who is a part of our life . What if we hugged them more than fidgeting on the phone .
What if we said I love you in person than updating a status and professing love .
What if we expressed our gratitude in person , folding hands . How about stop envying the “social happy posts” we see and get real?
So i decided to take action and make this a resolution for this year , I will call people and wish them on their birthdays or special days , I already started this from November last year partially . I mean why not? I am human and I can speak and may be bray(read sing) once in a while .
I have decided to stay off phone completely even when am at traffic signals , I give 50% of my time to day dream and 50% to phone when am stalled at a signal , now 100% off phone 😉
I plan to keep my phone in my bag while am at lunch or dinner with family or friends as the world can wait while I eat my meal .
I have decided not to humiliate the person sitting across the table with me having a conversation by staring at the gadget which can’t emote .
I have decided not to take my phone out of my bag while I am In a meeting room .
I have decided to give my 100% to whatever I do . My time is precious so is the person’s who decided to spend it with me , time to get human and respect each other .. oh! Don’t you worry there are a zillion people on social media and they can survive with us .
PS: If there is an emergency needless to say we have to use our phones and that wont change , if I am found violating my above resolution I request you to bring it to my notice .
Bindu Gopinath 