Written by Andronicus Enoch Muwanguzi
The waking world, now is but a loathing. A constant reminder of disappointment and discontent. The physical world is an insistent pain and toil for success, recognition and a life worthwhile. A daily routine, monotonous to a T. A work shift, sometimes more than one for a monthly stipend that wastes on accumulated bills and debt. A longing for connection, that never seems to find time to bud into something more. A perpetual struggle to make ends meet. One, then seeks solace. A hideout from the daily horrors of the waking world.
In this day and age, plagued by a vast array of media handles one finds a place to hide…within a glowing ensemble of hardware, an escape route to a world seemingly woven from fantasy ensues. Social media. This, however comes with a price to pay, usually the form of an addiction. Social media addiction has become an increasingly prevalent issue in today’s society. Supported by a constant need for validation and connection, we find ourselves susceptible to its influence.
Curated feeds offer escape. Pictures of vacations and charmful socialization replace the uneventful daily commute, perfectly timed videos inspire laughter, offering contrast to the forced pleasantries and melancholy drama exchanged with co-workers. Endlessly we scroll for a kindred spirit, a virtual friend who understands the struggles we can’t quite voice in the real world.
Within this cocoon of reels and shorts one enjoys a fleeting sense of calm, entertainment and belonging. An addictive momentary dose of dopamine that fades as fast as it comes. While not so bad in itself, the danger lies in mistaking this fleeting validation for true connection. Often, one begins to long for the release of watching a funny reel off the vast media. We tend to define our leisure time by the scroll and consumption of online material. We become passive participants in a world that thrives on our mindless participation and engagement, yet somewhere along the line, boundaries between observer and participant blur. Soon, we will start crafting our online personas and characterizations. We project the best versions of ourselves in a desperate attempt to garner precious validity, likes and comments.
Of course, it’s all fun and games until the consequences of such a relentless quest for online validation hits. Anxiety, depression, loneliness; the carefully constructed world of social media paints a distorted picture of the real world. In the end, we are left feeling isolated and inadequate compared to the flawless personas we so admire. We become slaves to the “like” button, sacrificing genuine connection for fleeting moments of digital validation. We crave connection yet we bury ourselves in a world thriving on curated loneliness. We long for a life of purpose yet we by-pass actual physical precious moments. An encounter at the bookstore, a laugh at the park. These are lasting memories.
That said, the internet, social media and all the associated branches are great sources of entertainment and inspiration. We ought to mind how we use these handles, setting aside time for usage and time to work on other aspects of life. We ought to seek real connections every now and then. Social media can’t really replace genuine human interaction. Embrace the present, don’t get lost to the algorithms.
Text © Andronicus Enoch Muwanguzi
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Capitalism and hedonism
mediafilia and fear to
be the last and the least, are
drives to create gastric ulcers.
No Helicobacter needed.