Monday 5 May 2014

The net



This video has been popping up on Facebook like crazy over the weekend. You may have seen it already, but if you haven't, take a look: it is really, really good. 

source

It really made me stop and think. First off, I love it because it all rhymes. 
"Don't waste your life getting caught in the net, as when the end comes nothing is worse than regret."



But of course, the message behind it is what counts. 

"We are a generation of idiots, smart phones and dumb people."
(One of the lines of the video.)

I'm just as guilty as anyone of whipping out my phone at the slightest chance. Standing in line at the supermarket? I'll check my emails.
Coffee break at work? I'll scroll through Instagram. 
It is as if we are afraid of human interaction. That, or we are simply afraid of boredom.

Looking at our little screens is such an addiction. They are strangely mesmerizing. Is it the colourful pictures? Is it the instant entertainment, as shallow as it may be? It's actually such an interesting phenomenon. 
Ask anyone who doesn't have a smartphone (it's a rare breed these days, but these people do still exist), and they will all tell you the same thing: they don't feel like they are missing out.

Do you still remember what you felt like pre-smartphone? You didn't miss it, did you? Neither did I. 
And honestly, if my phone isn't within reach, I usually don't miss it. 
But if it's in my pocket, believe me, I'll use the sh*t out of it!

What's so ironic about it is that it is called social media. It gives us the illusion to connect us more with other people. 
To a certain degree, that is true. But I think the danger is to exchange your real life for your virtual life. 
That's what the video is all about. 

Social media is awesome as an additional tool for maintaining friendships. But can it replace them? Hell no! 

The other day I was refilling two 5-gallon water jugs at the supermarket. It takes several minutes, so what did I do? Pulled out my phone and started to mindlessly scroll through some feed or another. When I looked up, this elderly gentleman smiled at me.
"Do you need some help with those heavy jugs?" I smiled back and declined. We farm girls are strong!
Hearing my accent, he struck up a conversation: where I was from, how I had ended up here, and from there we talked about his recent travels. It was a very nice chat, and one that I could have easily missed.

Being a blogger, I obviously spend a lot of time on the internet. It is a very social medium, and can create real friendships. I have experienced it myself, and so have countless other blogger. 

But it is definitely a balancing act. You don't want to neglect people in your real life for the online ones. 
Watching something like this video is a great reminder.

Life is made up of compromises, and there are definitely ways to cut down on screen time. 
I won't quit blogging any time soon, but I try to cut down on all the mindless surfing of the net that I do so often.

There is this spot in our backyard that I love: it is under a willowtree by our pond, and last year we spent a lot of time there. It is shady, peaceful and so beautiful - we both love it.
Another small, yet important detail: our Wi-Fi doesn't reach that far.

I can't wait to start spending tons of time there again with my love!

I'll leave you with my favourite line form the video:

"Give people your love, don't give them your like."

What do you think of the video? 
Are you addicted to your smart phone, or are you one of the rare people who doesn't own one?

xoxo Miriam




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7 comments

  1. What a great post! I love this. I have to admit I'm quite addicted to my phone as well. But luckily being on Malta and being dependent on only the Wi-Fi at the apartment I'm starting to notice that I don't always need my phone with me. I don't have to reply straight away and it's a relaxing feeling if I must be honest.

    I hope this post will open people's eyes.

    xoxo Anne ~ http://lifeasarollingstone.blogspot.com

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  2. I am addicted to my phone and lately it has really been bothering me. This weekend I forced myself to keep it in my handbag. I only looked at when off and on in the car or at our hotel. I did post to Instagram a few times but that only takes a second. I have been trying to cut back on my usage. I am never near a computer except at work so yeah, I am commenting here from my phone ;)

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  3. I am and I'm not. P and I make time to put away the phones, I might take pictures of our meal (I can't help it) and then we put our phones away...or we check into beer and then put our phones away :) I certainly pick it up whenever I'm waiting on something/someone but I try to put it away when we do other activities. So really great thoughts!

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  4. I spend far too much time on my phone and I really dislike myself for it. I did FINE without a smart phone. But now I'm panicked at the thought of not having one. It's silly. How is it that technology at my fingertips actually makes me feel LESS productive?

    Great reminder - I'm going to limit my iPhone time today and make a plan to do that on a regular basis.

    -Amy

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  5. I hope everyone understands the irony of this video about looking up being shared through our smart phones! haha. I've seen this linked to at least 20 times in the last week, and most of them no doubt are being shared via an app of some kind via a phone. I find that comical :) Anyway, I'll spare you my soapbox on smart phones. You've probably heard it already anyway. All I will say is that I don't miss not having one at all, although I realize they are very convenient. But I enjoy leaving the house and leaving the internet as well. I'm ancient and still write down directions with a pen and paper!

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  6. I'm definitely addicted to my smart phone. Pete and I have a rule where neither of us can get on our computers or phone when we're having a date night. It makes a HUGE difference in the quality of our time together!

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  7. Technology evolves with people. I don't think we're anymore disinterested in real life than anyone was before. I think we're better at multitasking.
    I don't see the difference between looking at my phone in the grocery store and picking up a gossip mag and still ignoring the cashier or the person behind you or whatever. On the train people used to read papers and books and miss their stops and miss meeting new people.
    Here's the thing: you don't have to be social. You don't have to be anything.
    We are here for a short time, and death doesn't reward your experience - so do whatever you want.
    80% of the time on my phone is spent taking or editing photos. If I didn't have a smartphone, I would be hiding behind a giant camera, capturing more inauthentic moments. I would take my camera home and go into my room with the door closed, ignoring my roommate, to edit them. I would talk on the house phone to a friend.
    When I'm out searching through things on my phone, more often than not I'm googling. I'm amazed at the things I can learn - it doesn't matter where I am. Having instant access to information makes almost all my of experiences more enjoyable when I can dig deeper and go further.
    Basically what I mean is since ecave drawings we have been trying to figure out ways to effectively communicate on a mass scale - and we did it.
    Does this mean some face to face interactions suffer? Yes. But - how important were they to begin with if we can so easily drop them to maintain constant relationships with the world in our phone? Not very.
    And lastly, in defense of all of us, there is no reason to feel guilty. It may be rude, but that's because we were raised without these. I find the quality of the interactions with my friends now are better - we have more to contribute to conversation. We can easily learn about and form opinions. We are more empathetic. We learn about cultures we never would have known.
    Bringing that experience to the people in our real lives is amazing, and I'll never go back! Phone 5ever!!!!

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