I have a very interesting incident to share. The moment I decided to actively work for Offline Therapy, I started devising new methods to monitor how I am dealing with technology. Being an IT industry professional I must be on computer throughout my working hours.I have a good enough exposure to the computer screen. Ever since I started using smartphones I developed the habit of checking my phone multiple times a day. We all do.
Eventually, I realized that I have become a news junkie and I must reduce my screen time. Afterall, I am in the quest of “Offline Therapy” now. I was into this habit of reading news all the time. And my smartphone ensured that I will have a good supply of news updates on the topics I have shown interest in past.
I had a wide variety of interests. Google knows it all.
I was a good reader on the computer or smartphone screen. But, when it comes to read the real books; I am not that much fond of reading them. I do read books, but I am not a bookaholic yet. But, I want be known as one in future 😊
Eventually, I reached the tipping point about my smartphone and internet news reading habit. I had enough of latest news updates. I uninstalled those news applications which were there on my phone. I deactivated the news feed on my Android's home page. Yes, that news feed which is just a right swipe away on the phone's home page.
The Google assistance serves information over there like the climate in your city, upcoming travel reminders, Google calendar events, scores and buildup of sporting events you follow, Stock exchange updates, stock price movements, suggested news articles from all around the world on topics you are interested in and other related personalized stuffs. Google assistance has features to receive your feedback if you are no more interested in any topic. It also pushes you some random news or alien topics to read your behavior, whether you respond positively, give direct feedback of no interest or it remains unnoticed.
This is all my personal experience which lead me to the self-realization of the saturation point of news updates.
I wonder was it really important for me to know everything and everything about those things which Google’s algorithm felt that I should know. Also, one could feel deprived of other perspectives because I read more of one inclination. And some news content has potential to integrate with foundations of the belief system.
Here I was. No more a news junkie. I had a lot to unlearn. It was my first step to be a clean slate.
After that I had very interesting observation.
Whenever I unlocked my phone my thumb automatically did those right swipes. With every unlock in my phone, I felt a slight tingle in my right thumb’s core joint to have a movement for the right-side swipe. I observed my thumb was programmed to do this right swipe. As if my brain has different layers of programming. Many times, I felt the tingle and the urge to right side; even though I knew there is no feed available; my thumb had its own command center. It had that craving to continue with that habit which was formed in the years of news reading on my Android device.
It took an effort for me to get rid of this habit; but sometimes the old habit comes back again.
With this I learnt that this digital technology is cultivating habits in our brains. Our bodies now respond to the smartphone. As if they are extensions of ourselves. The slight vibrations which we feel in our thighs sometimes is also a fruit of this evolution in our bodies. We have learnt to walk with neck bent downwards. Except for few exceptions people seldom collide while walking with staring or texting o phones.
Because of these smartphones, we ignore the ergonomic discomforts. Eventually, technology will address these issues in future versions. Digital well-being is now officially recognized. Android now records our time spent on these smartphones. There are provisions to control our time spent on mobile applications.
But, there is a need for more education and awareness for digital well-being.
The physical behavior change is not most insidious. But, what if digital technology is deployed for more dangerous habits and beliefs. Like the 'blue whale' few years ago?
The technology connects us to the outside world. The dark side of this benefit is that someone sitting in a remote location may try to program or brainwash your mind. It is our responsibility to differentiate the good and bad on the internet. That harmless looking post and subsequent conversations on a social media can install hatred in your mind towards people of other religion, community or ideologies.
The repeated fake news and post truth can motivate people to transform from observer to sympathizers to online activists and real-life influencer. The digital technology is analytics driven. Each of us are categorized by our online behavior.
There is a dire need to understand what believes and opinions we have formed. Are they really our believes? Or is it someone harvesting the seeds sowed in our brains to propel the propaganda?
The effect on the brain by internet, particularly social media is causing addiction and lower attention span. This means that because of addiction we remain glued to digital technology for more content to consume.
In parallel, we have a lower attention span; thus, we fail to rationalize what we are consuming. The feed we have is based on our preferences in past. We are just served with newer versions or aspects of the old knowledge.
I do not see the current algorithm has any cleansing system. Because internet is full of content from different perspectives. Everything is grey. There is no black and white which the artificial intelligence can classify for restrictions. We all are profiled. The current algorithm of recommended news might not serve you counterviews that well if you have a good history of engagement with one belief.
This is dangerous. What if some real bad belief or a malicious intent is not filtered by these algorithms? It may get sown in belief system of the consumers. The fake news, post truth and propaganda around the malicious intents will provide water and fertilizer to those seeds to turn up into monster someday.
The velocity and veracity of internet is already making such monsters. They are the elephants in the room.
Also,
The smartphone and the internet are full of distractions. Because of which you may not perform in your field with your full potential. We waste our days and precious time in switching our focus from one application to another.
It’s not good to be multitasking, if you do not have any real accomplished task. We only respond to these distractions and notifications. Physically we check out our phones even though we do not have any notification from them.
Don’t you think we check our smartphones like the loyal servants? Generally, our response time is quick enough for the notifications we receive. We check our phones to check just in case we have any actions pending there. We are indeed loyal attendants.
We are fooled by the humble word called notifications. It has hidden meaning of instructions. These operating systems and the internet are just making us Androids. We just obey commands from establishments based out of Silicon Valley and worldwide.
We tend to seek happiness in our smartphones, but we only get emptiness. Real happiness is outside this big box of internet.
Offline Therapy is the vision to make more and more people realize that being offline is a therapy on its own. We can solve major life issues and achieve a better life by reducing our interface with social media and digital technology. Offline Therapy seeks your support to spread the word to more and more people. Share this blog on other social media platforms. Don’t forget to discuss #socialmediaaddiction #smartphoneaddiction and #digitalslavery with people around you in offline world.
Log on Twitter Tweet
Let's talk on Twitter (My personal Handle)
Tweet to @rzzv
Comments
Post a Comment