INUNDATED
Information is everywhere. At a dizzying pace. We can hardly avoid it with the prevalence of mobile phones. Always within reach. Our new appendage. From the time we awaken until we finally drift off to sleep with the phone by our pillow, we have access to many articles, YouTube videos, and social media stories. Some useful. Most not.
Every time we pick up the phone, we see some irrelevant piece written haphazardly in order for a ‘journalist’ to fulfill their deadlines. It’s either the latest drama about ‘Meghan and Harry’ or the other family members across the pond. The continuing feud within the royal family. But more specifically, the latest on what Princess Kate is wearing.
‘Oh, the coat! How it matches perfectly with her shoes and her new dress!’. ‘Where do I get that outfit?’. But what about the happenings in the world and in our own lives?
It reminds me of Depeche Mode’s song ‘New Dress’, from the 1986 Black Celebration album, which talks about the state of the world at the time – the terrors of war, bombings, natural disasters – and how all of the news coverage decided instead to cover what Princess Diana was wearing at any given moment. Not much seems to have changed, other than now we are even more inundated with information at all times of the day and night.
Why do we immerse ourselves in the everyday lives of Taylor Swift and the Kardashians? Why do we care so much about the divorces and dating lives of celebrities? What they are wearing. What plastic surgery they have done recently.
How many recipes do we really need to save as we scroll endlessly on Instagram? How many TikTok videos do we need to see in order to learn something? Why do we waste so much time caring what other people – the influencers – are doing?
Are we so bored with our own lives that we need so much distraction of useless information? Or are we afraid to be alone with our own thoughts? Are we afraid to be unique?
We seem to have forgotten how to communicate using complete words, as we text in code. We sit at the dinner table with phones by our side or in our pockets, not wanting to miss the latest incoming message at the expense of family time. All of this has a lasting impact on our relationships as we lose sight of what is truly important in exchange for the latest news.
Why not simply use our time to focus on making our lives better? On forming social connections in real life and not behind the screen. Why not take the time to unplug, slow down, and live your own life?
