Many people might say that humankind has ‘arrived’ as a species these days. Advances in technology have made the impossible possible. Today we can communicate with people around the world in nanoseconds.
We can order just about anything online and have it delivered to us overnight. We can also engage in multiple conversations on multiple platforms simultaneously. Or we can send out mass emails to potential clients by clicking a mouse button. We can make airline, hotel, and car rental reservations without ever leaving the house. We can even read the news on hundreds of media outlets all day or night long and in any language. Or we can download thousands of phone apps that will make our lives seemingly easier. The list of things we can do with buttons and screens seems nearly endless.
Indeed, I can go on and on about the benefits of the digital age. But people are beginning to admit it’s incredibly overwhelming (understatement).
The Pitfalls of Technology
To the conscious eye, the concept of instant gratification is on full display in the digital world. And so are anger, frustration, distrust, and envy. The hateful rhetoric seen on many platforms is increasing to frightening levels. It seems that in our effort to connect, we’re becoming even more disconnected, less socialized, and, perhaps, more uncivilized.
Let’s be honest.
How many times have you seen families eating a meal out together, and every one of them is on their cell phones? Have you ever become upset at a social media post? Did you ever make a reservation that was messed up or was never made at all even though you did it online? Have you ever ordered something online that was a time-consuming nightmare to return? Were you ever ‘ghosted’ by a person you thought wanted to do business with you? Have you ever been bullied or know someone who was mocked online? Or did you ever receive a solicitation in private messaging from someone looking or offering carnal favors? Have you ever contracted the services of a company only to have them disappear and never deliver the goods or services (despite their excellent online credentials)?
I’d wager that most of you reading this rant answered yes to at least one of these questions and that you probably know people who’ve experienced similar woes too.
Yes, our lives can certainly be frustrating at times, and there’s no doubt that technology can help make our lives better. Right?
Wrong.
The Problem With Disconnected Connection
I genuinely believe there’s a growing problem with our humanity in the digital and social media worlds. I think the ever-growing reliance on technology has taken people away from living ‘real’ lives, engaging in ‘real’ conversations, and experiencing ‘real’ human touch.
When these things do not occur, people lose their sense of being a ‘real’ human. They become robotic, amped up on cortisol and dopamine highs that deplete their adrenals, leaving many even more depressed, unmotivated, unkind, and demoralized. And that’s what hurts the most.
It’s difficult for many people to deal with, especially when they feel like they’re drowning in a sea of over-stimulation. But, how does one start to feel human and more business-like again?
When interacting with others on social media, I’ve recently started to use a timer set for thirty minutes a day. I’ve been diligently calling back the clients who took the time to leave me phone messages. I’ve started responding to my emails in a more timely manner. Lastly, I’ve been kissing my wife every day before I go off to create ‘real’ human connections and, perhaps, generate some more business. It may not seem like much, but it’s a start in the right direction to feeling human and business-like again.