Lost in Digital Age: How Technology is Driving Human Beings from Being Human

In the ever-evolving digital age, technology has become an inseparable part of our lives. From smartphones and social media to virtual reality and artificial intelligence, we are constantly surrounded by technological advancements. While these innovations have undoubtedly brought numerous benefits, it is essential to recognize and reflect upon their potential negative consequences on our humanity and quality of life. In this blog post, we delve into how technology is driving human beings away from being truly human.

Disconnecting from Authentic Relationships

In this era of virtual connections, we find ourselves increasingly tethered to our screens, immersed in a world of online interactions. While social media platforms claim to bring people closer, they often foster superficial relationships that lack genuine human connection. We are losing our human connection within our immediate vicinity while chasing approvals from the people who are either far away or we don’t even know. The time spent scrolling through feeds and chasing virtual validation takes away from the richness of face-to-face interactions, leading to a sense of isolation and loneliness.

On an average people spend 3-4 hours a day, stuck to their phone. i.e., 1/6 of their entire day on phone. With 8 Hrs of sleep,  8 hrs of work, and an additional 2 hours biological tasks like eating, shower etc., people are hardly left with a couple of hours to spend with the people around them. Then, who should we blame for increasing amount of broken relationships, loneliness and depression   

Diminished Empathy and Compassion

With technology-mediated communication, the nuances of human expression are lost. Emoticons and abbreviated messages replace the depth and complexity of genuine emotions. This can result in a decline in our ability to truly understand and empathize with others. In the current work-from-home world, where our interaction is limited to technology-mediated communications, we can hardly connect with the person on the other side of the screen.

How many of us experienced fake interviews via digital interaction i.e., through phone and video interviews?   Be it work or a relationship, the interactions with the people with whom we spend most of our time in a day, are being filtered through screens, wouldn’t our capacity for compassion, trust and understanding gradually diminish? In such cases, can we really blame organizations for firing employees without compassion when we ourselves giving that away for the comforts of work from home? Can we expect the loyalty from the digital relationships where trusting the person in itself a challenge?  

Fading Focus, Sense of Presence and Mindfulness

Constant connectivity to technology distracts us from the present moment. Our attention is fragmented, continuously shifting between notifications, messages, and the next viral trend. An average American checks through their phone for about 96 times a day… That’s every 10-12 minutes when we exclude an 8 Hr sleep time. This constant distraction prevents us from fully engaging with our surroundings and embracing the beauty of the present. This inability to be in the present and being mindful is leaving us feeling drained and disconnected from ourselves and the world around us. The sheer numbers of the road accidents everyday around us due to cell phone distractions during driving, in itself is a testament for this disconnection.

One can question how can we even focus for 20-30 min on a task when we are distracted by our phone every 10 min. How can our kids learn anything when they are urged to check their cell phones every 10 min. When we ourselves are immersed in our screens all day, can we really keep our kids away from technology and let them enjoy a book or game outside like we used to do before 2000s? Can we ever be engaging role models for kids?   

Deterioration of Critical Thinking and Creativity

Technology offers us instant answers and readily available information, leaving little room for memory, critical thinking and independent thought. We become reliant on search engines and algorithms to solve problems, diminishing our capacity to think critically and analyze complex issues. How many of us remember at least 5 mobile numbers beyond our own? Just remember how many we used to remember when we are using the landlines. Let’s honestly question ourselves – Besides the urge for social interaction, how many of us can survive with our day to day jobs and even lives without the help of internet and phones today? Who should we blame for this state of our lives?

Additionally, the constant consumption of pre-packaged digital content stifles our creativity, thinking and imagination, limiting our ability to explore new ideas and perspectives. No wonder polarity in the views are raising in the current age and time. This is the exact reason why I started this blog page. Exposing people to different viewpoints is the objective of this blog site.

Straining Mental and Emotional Well-being

The pervasive presence of technology can take a toll on our mental and emotional well-being. The constant exposure to curated online personas and the pressure to portray an idealized version of ourselves contribute to feelings of insecurity, inadequacy and anxiety. The disconnect from the online version of oneself with their own reality is driving most cases of loneliness and depression in the current generation. Moreover, the constant influx of information and the overwhelming pace of online interactions can lead to information overload and heightened stress levels.

Conclusion

As we navigate the digital age, it is crucial to strike a balance between the benefits of technology and preserving our essential humanity. While technology has undoubtedly transformed our lives, we must remain mindful of its potential pitfalls. Let us not lose sight of what it means to be truly human – fostering authentic relationships, nurturing empathy, embracing mindfulness, and encouraging critical thinking and creativity.

Let us remember that we have the power to shape the role of technology in our lives. Let us strive for a harmonious relationship with technology, one that enriches rather than diminishes our human experience