IS TECHNOLOGY HIJACKING OUR HAPPINESS??

Ahaa!! TECHNOLOGY, lifeline for some and waste for others...

When I say waste for some... Yes absolutely people like my Mom consider it a big time waste. She really gets irritated most often seeing anyone using the phone. Well, it doesn’t at all mean that she prohibits us from using phone, in fact she doesn’t like when the use is too much.

For some, it is a lifeline, they are at ease with technology they use it with confidence. No matter their age, experience, background, or current skills, one needs no mastery for it. We are all tech savvy and we feel pride in being Tech Savvy. But are we truly sure that being tech savvy is a matter of great pride.

Today, I happen to speak to one of my school mate over the call and whatever he told me about his son’s mobile addiction was no shock for me. Needless to say that mobile usage these days has increased incredibly. I always wonder why we are getting so accustomed to gadgets or technology. I believe any development, invention, advancement, or any change is for our better. But the outcomes are mostly appalling.

Well my question is:

 Are we really getting better with technology?

 Or it can be stated like this

Is technology hijacking our happiness??

Answer to this can vary from person to person and usage to usage.

Technology includes Electronic and information technology like computer hardware and software, operating systems, web-based information and applications, telephones and other telecommunications products, video equipment and multimedia products, information kiosks, and office products such as photocopiers and fax machines. All of these are used in our daily in some or other way and without any doubt they all make task easier and it seems a logical reason.  It is technology which has reduced the distance for example with phone we can talk to anyone across the Globe. Like this we have several other benefits of having technological advancements. This is one side of picture; the other side is horrendous…

People are becoming fond of gadgets, not just fond but addicted; they associate gadgets with their esteem. They believe the more expensive the gadget is the more respectable their position is in the society. Is it?? I wonder…

With this I could recall one incident from my life itself, I had Redmi 1S and my daughter was absolutely after my life to change it, every now and then she would come up and say at least now change the phone,  I was like it’s working well why should I change. Needless to say she was never convinced with any of my excuses. One day she was extremely annoyed with my phone came to me and said “You know my van driver has iphone 5, at least change your phone now”. Upon hearing this I laughed out loud and asked is it causing inconvenience to you or is your ego was hit seeing phone in your van driver’s hand.. She said you should have better phone, after all you earn better than him. I said to her, first thing he will never come to see my phone, secondly my worth can’t be estimated by just seeing my phone no matter how smart it is. Well, the story is still the same..

That day one thing I could understand was like other kids my daughter is also in this trap of show off. I knew it will take time because everyone is behaving like this how can she be unaffected by the fact..

Coming to the question Is technology hijacking our happiness?? I believe Technology doesn’t directly hijack our happiness; it is we who don’t know or decide our own limits to use it. We as humans are tend to either overuse or misuse everything. The advancement in technology is always done to bring ease to our lives but the fact can’t be denied that it is affecting our lives adversely. Everything has its pros and cons same is with the technology.

I see couples sitting in the same room, same bed having phones in their hands chatting, playing games, face booking, doing anything and everything on phone. So keen to know what is happening in others life on the other hand ignoring their own life’s issues. See their FB pictures, you will be Aww, how lucky they are but that’s just their reel life... In real, story is absolutely different abusive to each other, blaming each other, no love between them, I know one such couple personally and many more are there, search for one you will get umpteen for that matter… Guys when you have ample of time to waste on other things, why can’t you just utilize it in building great relations between each other and bridging the gap.. 

How these gadgets are spoiling our Teens, kids love to play games on phone rather to do it outside in the ground. That is the reason kids are so fragile, physically week, emotionally imbalanced.  When I was small I used to play too much, with or without my friends or sister. I never sat in one place, running here and there.  Playing physical games have their own advantages always; it makes you physically active, boost your energy, improves attention, develop personality, social benefits there are so many benefits of playing physical games. Can any of these be attained by playing games on phone?? THINK, it’s the right time to THINK. 

Now let’s talk about kids these days they are more frustrated, no empathy, and no compassion as a result no happiness also.  Our happiness very much depends on how, where, and whom we spend our time with. Now, Happiness is proportionally much lesser compared to 90’s when people had time for each other, they led simple lives, no lifestyle issues bothered them, they were connected, compassionate. Technology can’t be a sole reason for all this; it has much to do with our own habits. I see mothers often complaint about their kids using mobiles always and losing all interest in studies... I ask them, whether they use phones, how interested they themselves are in their family lives? Few says we are big enough, we can use phones but kids they should avoid the use. I ask why? Because I believe whatever their kids are doing is just a reflex action.

There is a beautiful story to elaborate the above point:

There was a woman in some part of India who was upset that her son was eating too much sugar. No matter how much she chided him, he continued to satisfy his sweet tooth. Totally frustrated, she decided to take her son to see his great hero Mahatma Gandhi.

She approached the great leader respectfully and said,

Sir, my son eats too much sugar. It is not good for his health. Would you please advise him to stop eating it?”

Gandhi listened to the woman carefully, turned and spoke to her son,

“Go home and come back in two weeks.”

The woman looked perplexed and wondered why he had not asked the boy to stop eating sugar. She took the boy by the hand and went home.

Two weeks later she returned, boy in hand. Gandhi motioned for them to come forward. He looked directly at the boy and said,

“Boy, you should stop eating sugar. It is not good for your health.”

The boy nodded and promised he would not continue this habit any longer.

The boy’s mother turned to Gandhi and asked,

“Why didn’t you tell him this two weeks ago when I brought him here to see you?”

Gandhi smiled,

“Mother, two weeks ago I was still eating sugar myself.”

Hence my point is if you really want your kid to stop eating sugar you have to stop consuming it first, before it is too late.

Don’t let your phone be smarter than you!!

-          An article by Jyotsnaa Sharrma