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IN Lifestyle ON 13 Jan, 2016
The internet is one of the best inventions of all time. We get the ability to instantly search the meaning of any word, read about ancient history, study mathematical formulae, play online games, and socialize with friends, relatives, and even total strangers. However, there are some relatively harmful consequences when we get too attached to social media and the internet in general.
Sometimes, we meet up with friends and relatives, but we don't directly talk with them so much. Instead, we turn our smartphones, tablets, and laptops on to go to social media. Isn't it ironic? You are there, with the people you personally like, yet you are allowing yourself to be distracted by the chaotic world of the internet. Websites will always remain for you to browse, but don't let the internet make you forget about spending time with people who matter the most. Use the internet to develop yourself and connect with others, not to isolate yourself.
There is a video named "Innovation of Loneliness" that tackles the connection between social media and the identity of humans as social creatures. People all over the world are different. Some societies are individualistic while some are collectivist groups. Still, social media has started to dominate these societies one by one, bringing a whole new level to socializing. But is this form of online interaction serving our interests as social creatures?
Ironically, social media does not always make us feel connected. Yes, we socialize with people, but do we feel a human connection? It seems that starting at the screen for hours and scrolling a newsfeed filled with memes, news articles, and random photos do not always elicit a positive emotion from us.
"Innovation of Loneliness" was made and narrated by Shimi Cohen. The idea for the video was actually inspired by a social psychologist named Yair Amichai-Hamburger who stated that our culture of always being online has actually made us more isolated.
Shimi Cohen believes that the way we interact with friends online has ruined us socially. Yes, we do talk with people online, but it is only a connection. We like their photos and make short comments, but that's it. We rarely get to form meaningful, personal and long conversations. And if we do, it often still feels incomplete because they are not done face to face.
We are basically in control when we are using social media. We can hit the backspace button if we wanted to erase a statement, we could block people from our Facebook account, and we could easily tag the people we want to talk to. However, real life does not offer those tools. Thus, there is a looming social fear or anxiety that ruins our ability to converse directly with people.
When we are online, we get the ability to make ourselves seem perfect. And even if we are not perfectionists, we are able to describe ourselves the way we want to. We have the chance to only talk about the positive things, and we can make ourselves physically more attractive by photo manipulation. But if who you are online is far different from who you are in real life, you might have a problem.
Because of being addicted to social media, some people feel the need to receive constant likes and praise in the form of comments. While it is perfectly fine to have them from time to time, being desperate for attention online can ruin yourself. You shouldn't lower your self-esteem and be embarrassed if people online do not always praise you or anything. Trust yourself, you do not need the validation of others, especially if they are merely strangers.
This is related to the last two posts, and this is often caused by those photos on Instagram and Facebook. You see all those images of your friends going to different countries, climbing mountains, and relaxing in beaches. Some people on your Facebook might always talk about a new concert or a new book. This can make you feel inferior and rather dull, but you don't have to compete with them. Be yourself, and don't feel lonely just because people post the best version of themselves online.
Now that you've heard what the narrator and I have to say, it's time to check out the video. What do you think? Do you feel isolated even when you are on social media?
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