Virtuality should not be the heart of our lives; but just the part of our lives
The allure of the virtual world often tempts us to disconnect from the tangible experiences that constitute the essence of real life. Social media platforms, immersive online games, and virtual experiences have revolutionized the way we communicate, entertain ourselves, and perceive the world. Undoubtedly, the realm of the virtual world offers a sea of opportunities and unparalleled conveniences, but it should never overshadow the real richness life has to offer.
To lose touch with the real in pursuit of the virtual is to trade the depth of life for its reflection. It definitely is not a good deal. This shift not only undermines the authenticity of life but also keeps us away from the sensory experiences that only we, as humans, have the privilege to bask in and that form the bedrock of our existence. One of the main concerns with becoming too engrossed in virtuality is the fading of genuine human connections. We miss out on emotional resonance. The virtual era is leading us to superficial exchanges that may leave individuals feeling isolated despite being seemingly connected.
Yes, I do agree! We can’t imagine growth without accepting the fact that virtuality is now an indispensable part of our lives. But it can never be the heart of our lives. This is where all the problems lie. We have made it the heart of our lives without being mindful. It would not be wrong to say that digital echoes are dangerously replacing our true hearts, which God has bestowed upon us. The dopamine hits from likes, shares, and comments create a serious illusion among users, making us believe our hearts are happy. In reality, it is robbing us of our very humanity. Despite technological sophistication, the sensory experiences provided by the virtual world cannot replicate the richness of real-world stimuli.
The consequences of this mindless consumption are becoming quite evident and we are already paying the cost and will have to pay more aggressive costs, if not addressed in time. Amongst many ill-consequences which we are facing are: increased anxiety and depression, impaired attention and focus, physical health concerns, decreased commitment to family, distorted relationships, diminished social values etc. I strongly believe that internet addiction is going to create more havoc than drug addiction, if its use continues to remain mindless.
This argument is very well supported by the research all over the world. Research is increasingly recognizing the excessive use of internet as a serious public health issue, potentially more pervasive than traditional substance addictions. For example; A study titled “The Addictive Nature of Digital Media” by the researchers from Harvard (2018) provide the insights about the brain’s response to internet use mirroring drug addiction. It explores how online engagement can trigger dopamine release similar to substance use.
This concept has been echoed in several other articles and discussions by researchers at other related institutions like; Stanford, Yale University, Columbia University and alike. Another study published in Psychological Science by the researchers from Harvard (2017) found that individuals who engage in heavy social media use are two to three times more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to those who use it less frequently. The findings of the large number of studies in this area paint a grim picture of the future, if we do not become mindful more sooner than later.
So, the way forward towards our brighter future lies in the fact that we have to be mindful of various important things, like:
- For what am I using the internet (set intentions for the content we are going to access)? When and how much to consume for the essential growth? How can we do that?
- How many hours did we use the virtual content? Did I learn anything by spending these hours? If yes, let us document that. If No, let us ponder was it a good deal to keep scrolling without any purpose?
In addition to this, let us make it a routine to grab a book for at least one hour a day (not an e-book). Let us also designate one day for a digital detox, during which we won’t touch our phones but will do something else that makes us happy, such as baking, cooking, playing, or socializing offline. This can be done gradually, starting with one hour of digital detox and increasing the duration over time.
Just by following a disciplined approach we surely will be able to sail through the digital era very safely and reap the best out of it. While doing all this, we will keep our heart and part purposefully intact: Our heart for lighting our souls in the truest sense, and our part for enriching our lives to achieve our goals.
(Author is Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Management Studies, University of Kashmir, South Campus. Feedback: [email protected])
