The internet is a global community that opens up the world. But there are a couple of things to consider first: the language barrier, the 4.4 billion people who aren’t even connected to the internet and the skewed proportions of time people spend on the internet. The internet is not a reflection of the real world’s demographics and it is dangerous to assume so.
It also isolates people from their own communities. Most people are connected to some form of social media, cutting down the six degrees of separation to an even smaller number. Social networking is seemingly successful in forging community and connections.
However, those sites that intend to connect and open up your world leave people overly connected in the most superficial of senses, yet separated on the most profound of levels. We’re alone together; a seemingly contradictory phrase, but fitting considering how you’ll sometimes find people just sit- ting together checking their phones.
I am guilty of this practice as well. I use my phone as a barrier against the discomfort that comes with lulls in conversations, unfamiliar surroundings and boredom. The phone is too good at acting as a wall and shield. This over reliance on my phone causes me to miss many opportunities for new experiences and new friends.
I went to a club for the first time and did not recognize many people. After only a few minutes I took out my phone to find that it had run out of battery. But people were more accommodating than I thought.
The internet may be a quick fix to boredom and social discomfort, but struggling through that discomfort is what allows each of us to connect both to the world around us and to ourselves. The fact that I did not have my phone pushed me out my usual comfort zone and forced me to connect with those around me.
Even when we do choose to engage people directly through messaging, these pale imitations of true conversations fail to truly connect the two people talking. Yes, online conversations have the appeal of not having to deal with the stress of an immediate reply and being able to craft the ideal response.
At least my ‘three’ that would’ve been heard as ‘free’ will carry over online as 3. Real life conversations seem much more mundane in comparison. There are awkward pauses and lulls in conversation and somehow those witty comments that came out so easily over messaging trip over my tongue.
But the online conversations we choose to have in place of face to face ones compromise so much more. Messaging is appealing because we get to skip over those uninteresting and awkward parts, but the boring
and imperfect parts of our conversations are what make our interactions human. Sure, we have to give up the cute stickers and emojis, but in the place of those, we get to experience all those little cues that add to up to a true conversation.
Additionally, there is a disconnect between the person I thought you were over the internet and the real you, just as the online me is a carefully crafted persona whose attributes and flaws are shown and hidden at will. Conversations held online are more of a presentation of our respective personas than a true interaction between two humans.
Ultimately, it comes down to how one uses the internet.
It can be used to find your own niche. But the internet is almost too good at being a platform for self expression and entertainment.
The internet can be a refuge, but it is too great of a sacrifice, and it is a pity for lives to be lived out online rather than IRL.
The consistent novelty of the internet overstimulates and numbs the mind and diminishes the pleasure that can be derived from living life.
Real life is underrated and the internet is overrated. Real life is terrifying and full of uncertainty, but it holds so much more potential for greatness.
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