For the past year I’ve been practicing using my cell phone less and disconnecting from social media. Firstly I must acknowledge that by no means I think this is a revolutionary concept as we’ve been living this way for thousands of years prior.
I used to be an adventurer like you. Then I took an arrow to the knee…
For me they become an eyesore. Everybody becomes robotic and less human in my opinion. This is where the funny NPC concept comes into play. It’s almost as if we’re becoming these non-playable characters from video games that only know how to do a set number of things.
Producer VS Consumer
Most people are mindless consumers that need to be constantly stimulated through social media and staying connected to their friends online all of the time. This is why street photography is so powerful in my life. I am able to walk the streets with no distractions, allowing my intuition to guide me and to be in a state of production. For me, the state of producing art and media is the antidote to the mind numbing consumption that is so prevalent today.
You don’t need it.
I think we become so accustomed to grabbing the phone before we go outside that we don’t even really think about it. It’s almost as if we depend on this device for our safety and well-being. The phone is never going to save you when it comes to hand to hand combat with a stranger. Disconnect from that Orwellian “citizen” app and stop living in fear.
Culture?
Social media promotes antisocial behavior patterns amongst everybody that uses it and is unhealthy for our mind body and soul. If you ever participated in a group chat or any online forum, you probably understand how it quickly turns into some gossip girl chitchat. Most people live in a newfound virtue-signaling digital world where insanity runs rampant amongst the mob. Not only has it spiked the depression rates in the world more than ever, it created a cancerous culture.
Don’t consume junk
Using cell phones and social media is the new Doritos and honey buns. Do you want to fuel yourself with yummy snacks that will slowly kill you?