Hitting Reboot

posted September 8th, 2023 at 7:34 AM

Not long ago, I had an epiphany that my grandparents', parents', and partially my generation (in the 90s) all lived just hunky dorey without the internet, and actually did real stuff with their/our lives, and not to show off either. Upon remembering this, I immediately deleted all my social media accounts, as well as signed up for calligraphy lessons, took up playing an insturment native to my country of birth, and began reading books galore, in between work that is. And no, I'm far from rich. My mind has finally returned to some sense of normalcy. No longer am I depressed. Nor am I glued to watching clips of utterly shallow people, negative news, vicious comments, and likes. Nor am I trying to label myself and pretend that everyone gives a damn. When I step outside, I actually hear birds, watch sunsets, let myself get soaked by rain, and say hi to random people who appear lonely... I'm not denying that the Internet has connected us and made some aspects of life a wee bit easier, but it's also like this thick green fog blinding and silently killing us. What's worse is that until you step out of the loop, you have no idea you're in the fog. It reminds me of that alien in a tank from Dune who is addicted to "the spice." He/it once started off as human, too. We need to hit re-boot.

6 Comments

I'd like to throw all my devices in the garbage

Sep 8, 2023 at 7:49pm

And live in a little village talking face to face with friends and family around the village fireplace. And as I type these words into my computer I can't help but think; How do I get from here to there?

My dream

Sep 9, 2023 at 1:08am

When I retire is to move back 4 steps to Ireland where my great grandparents hail from. I hope they have no internet

same same

Sep 9, 2023 at 2:09pm

it feels so good to return to a semblance of sanity. yes it still seems the world is burning down around us and that i'm ignorant now no longer doomscrolling but my family and friends tell me the really critical news and i'm so so much happier its shocking. vive analog and unplugging. i treat my mobile like a home phone, that was the first step - highly recommend!! second was no socials. its great

Yes

Sep 9, 2023 at 4:28pm

I work downtown 5days per week. It is truly mindboggling the percentage of people crossing the street, walking with their baby in a stroller, walking their dog, going up or down the stairs, riding their e-scooter/bicycle all while STARING AT THEIR PHONE. Some days, it appears to be 40% of the people. It's sad, it's weird, and I feel like I'm in the middle of a bunch of addicts. People, look up, look at the environment, have some awareness, make eye contact with others. It's especially pathetic when the sun is rising or setting, and instead of experiencing it, people are STARING AT THEIR PHONE. How did we get to be so ... boring?