Nowadays, the world has become a very fascinating place. The influences on our society are very different to what they might have been ten years ago (or twenty, or thirty, or forty…). Mobile phones, the internet, social media and advances in technology have shaped our lives in ways we might not have imagined would be possible.
The way we live our lives on a day to day basis in 2016 is both amazing and terrifying. Ask yourself this…if you could go back ten years, and ask your younger self about some of the things you now do, what do you think you would say?
I think my 20 year old self would draw a lot of concerning conclusions about the present day, as well as obviously being speechless over some of the things that can now be done. I’m happy with the way my life is going in terms of my career and the people I surround myself with, but I know there are also some things that I would definitely change.
I have no doubt succumbed to the pressures of society and got into some rather pointless and unhealthy habits (most relating to mobile phone, internet use and struggling to live in the moment thanks to technology). Deep down I want to make a stand, to go back to the old world where I had no Facebook account, Smartphone or detailed online profile that anyone can access. The trouble is for now I am not ready to give up these things, but I am no doubt going to make changes.
Of course mankind is doing some truly spectacular and inspiring things these days, but on the other hand our lives could definitely be improved if we stepped back in time. Here are some things that many of us do now that ten years ago we would have found very peculiar.
1. Spend most of our time on the internet rather than experiencing real life
At what point did our online world become more important than the real one? Think about how much time you spend immersing yourself in the online world instead of living in the present moment, and you will probably be horrified.
If you aren’t on social media, checking your email or shopping online, the chances are you are probably thinking about some of those things. The internet is awesome, there’s no denying that, but it is also the devil.
I for one would like to live at least 50% of my day offline (although thanks to my profession that may not be possible). We are missing too many wonderful moments because we are totally addicted to the internet.
2. Taking selfies
Ten years ago, how do you think you would react if you saw someone on the train constantly taking pictures of themselves? How would you feel if you saw people everywhere taking pictures of their faces using cameras stuck onto a stick?
Selfies are an obsession of our time, and I suspect that in a decade or so, the selfie phenomenon will be studied in more depth by academics (it already is being studied now). The fact that we adore taking pictures of ourselves, feel we have to edit them to perfection and want to post them online for all to see makes for a very intriguing and eye opening social study.
3. Finding places without maps
In 2016, there is no need for maps because a computer/app/Google will tell us exactly where we need to go. It would probably be shocking if someone tested the public’s map reading skills. We simply don’t bother reading maps because we don’t have to. But where would that leave us if we were stranded in the middle of nowhere with only a map and a compass to get us home?
4. Posting pictures in public places for the world to see
I like, most other people these days have become desensitised to this fact. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t occasionally consider the fact that there are pictures of me online that anyone can see. At what point did this become normal, safe or acceptable?
Privacy issues in our time are beyond worrying, mainly because we have none (which is partially our own fault). I remember studying privacy during my degree, and now I wonder how different my essay would be if I wrote it now.
Once a picture is online that’s it, there’s a permanent record of your face which can easily be searched for in Google. Ten years ago I would probably have kicked off if my name, profession, gender, working history and date of birth were made public. Today it’s just part of the world we live in.
5. Watching Netflix instead of live TV
So in 2016, many of us will probably boycott live TV altogether. What’s the point in paying for TV channels if you can watch anything your heart desires online? We didn’t have a TV subscription for an entire year, and guess what, I didn’t miss it. I was quite happy to have the occasional Netflix binge, and spend the rest of my time doing more valuable things over watching TV (like reading, writing or exercising for example).
6. Going virtually paperless
So I guess ten years ago we probably saw this coming, but still thought deep down it wouldn’t be possible. Now instead of relying on paper, we rely on internet access. Older people who don’t use the internet much are struggling to do basic paperwork because everything has gone online.
Now you have to board a flight, apply for a tax disc and fill out all sorts of forms online rather than on paper. If I have the option, I will always do things online because it is easier, and because it is better for the environment. This is obviously beneficial for our society, but also very frustrating when doing things online doesn’t work and you start praying for a pen and paper.
7. Taking pictures of moments instead of experiencing them
Guilty. As I have a blog and several social accounts, I am always trying to capture interesting moments to share with my readers. So every day instead of actually living my life and experiencing these moments in their full glory for myself, I am looking through the camera of my smartphone, which means I don’t really ‘experience’ these moments at all. Sad times. Since when did taking a picture of something become more important than simply doing it?
8. Getting RSI from mobile phone overuse/being addicted to mobile phones
I intend to write a blog post on mobile phone addiction, mainly because I know that my personal addiction is slowly ruining my life. I really don’t want to realise in the not so distant future that I just wasted the last twenty years of my life on my phone.
The world’s addiction with mobile phones is so bad that we are getting phone related repetitive strain injury. We are such idiots! Also considering all the mind blowing things mobile phones can do, and the kind of technology they use to function, we probably shouldn’t have them anywhere near our bodies for prolonged periods of time, let alone up to our ears or in front of our faces. Who knows that damage they could be doing.
Soz, I didn’t mean for this blog post to sound overly negative. We should feel grateful for the opportunities and possibilities that we are gifted with. We just need to make sure we use them in the right way, and are aware of how they are changing our lives (for the better and for worse).
Over and out. x
