In expressing his devotion, Sant Sevanand listed various things that could not separate him from the love of God. However, his list is not exhaustive. We can add more challenges relevant to our time. If I were to expand upon his list, I would include, “Neither mobile phones, nor the internet, nor TV, social media, or AI will separate me from the love of God.”
These modern gadgets, while necessary in today’s world, often function as “necessary evils.” Their role and presence in our lives are undeniable, but we must ensure that these tools remain our servants, not our masters. If we allow them to distance us from the love of God, the merciful One will forgive us and patiently wait for us to return to Her. But we must recognize the cost of allowing this distance to grow.
Beyond separating us from the divine, these gadgets also create barriers between us and our loved ones. We’ve gone astray by permitting these devices to dictate our relationships, both within our homes and outside of them.
The modern concept of “space” has also contributed to this separation. In earlier times, the word “tension” was not part of our daily vocabulary. Yet, as it crept into our lives, so too did the demand for “space”—a desire for personal and private life. While this notion of space may smooth out our professional interactions, it comes at a steep cost in our personal lives.
In the workplace, the demand for space has led to the creation of individual “cabins” or cubicles. This separation might be beneficial for productivity, but the real damage occurs when we bring this mentality home. Whether physically or mentally, we start to build walls within our households.
In many homes, family members retreat to their own “cabins” after a long day—children absorbed in their phones, the father engrossed in his laptop, and the mother either preparing meals with the TV on or scrolling through her phone. After dinner, they exchange their cabins: the mother watches her favorite “mega serial,” the children focus on their homework or laptop, and the father turns to his phone. The worst scenario is when a newly married couple, living apart from their elders, combines all these distractions simultaneously—browsing the internet, watching TV, and engaging in phone conversations, all at once. The separation in space becomes a separation in connection.
This trend of giving “space” has led to mental walls that isolate us from one another. Gone are the days when families shared life together. It’s not hard to imagine a future where mothers call their children to dinner, and the children send an SMS or email to their father to join—all while under the same roof. The very art of letter writing, once filled with a personal touch, has been replaced by cold, impersonal emails and now, brief emoji-filled messages.
Human touch—literal, physical contact with flesh and blood—is essential for mental well-being. Yet, this modern trend of “space” deprives many of that vital connection. Babies lose the much-needed physical contact with their parents, especially their mothers. Couples, too, increasingly rely on external stimuli and visual aids to spark romance, forgetting the natural intimacy of a relationship. As for elders, they often find themselves pushed into the background, forgotten and neglected in this quest for space.
In our pursuit of personal space, we’ve lost our “face” as human beings—as fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, children, and friends. We need to celebrate and nurture our relationships, both within our homes and in the wider world.
While this was written back in 2011, the situation has only worsened. Today, no one seems to have time for anything—even when it comes to gadgets or social media. People don’t want to watch anything that lasts more than 30 seconds. If you can’t create content that fits into a 30 to 60-second window, it’s unlikely to capture attention. Even two-line messages feel excessive—emojis are replacing real communication.
I recently heard about a case in Latin America where a farmer was dragged to court because his emoji was misinterpreted as legal consent by a company, when in reality, he only meant it as applause, not as approval or agreement to a contract. This raises a sobering question: where are we heading as a society?
Part Two:
When AI corrected the spelling and grammar mistakes, it also provided some suggestions for improving this article, particularly regarding problems related to using emojis to communicate. When I sought its help, I sent this section that I would like to share separately as Part Two. I didn’t write it; I only mentioned the emoji-led legal issue. So the point is mine, but the wording was done by AI. This also shows how modern technology can serve us better, provided we use it carefully and not at the cost of human touch:
When AI corrected the spelling and grammar mistakes it also gave some suggestion about improving this article, particularly related problems related to using emojis to communicate. When I sought its help, I sent this section that I would like to share separately as Part Two. I didn’t write it but I only mentioned the Moji led legal issue. So the point is mine but wording are done by AI. This also shows how the same modern technology can serve us better provided if we use it carefully not at the cost of human touch:
In today’s world, digital communication has become the norm, with emojis, short messages, and quick reactions replacing lengthy conversations. However, this shift has also brought with it new challenges. The story of the farmer in Latin America who was dragged into a legal battle over a misunderstood emoji is a telling example of how this form of communication, while convenient, can lead to serious consequences.
In this case, the farmer intended to applaud a business proposal with a simple emoji, perhaps a thumbs-up or a smiley face. Unfortunately, the company on the other end interpreted the emoji as a sign of consent, leading to a legal dispute. This incident underscores a fundamental problem with digital communication: its ambiguity. Unlike face-to-face conversations, where tone, facial expressions, and body language provide context, digital messages are often stripped of these nuances. An emoji, meant to convey friendliness or acknowledgment, can easily be misconstrued as agreement or approval.
The broader implications of this are significant. As we increasingly rely on quick, digital interactions, we risk losing the clarity and depth that more traditional forms of communication provide. Contracts, agreements, and even simple conversations can become legal minefields, where a misplaced emoji or misunderstood message leads to conflict. In a world where we are constantly connected yet increasingly disconnected from the human elements of communication, these misunderstandings can have real-world consequences.
Moreover, the rise of emojis as a primary form of expression reflects a broader trend towards oversimplification in communication. While emojis can convey emotions or reactions quickly, they often fail to capture the complexity of human thoughts and feelings. This reduction of communication to a series of symbols can, over time, erode our ability to engage in meaningful, nuanced conversations.
As we move forward in this digital age, it’s essential to be mindful of how we communicate. While technology offers us tools to connect instantly, it also requires us to be more cautious and thoughtful in our interactions. Misinterpretations can happen in an instant, but their effects can be long-lasting. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider the value of slowing down, taking the time to articulate our thoughts more clearly, and ensuring that our digital shorthand doesn’t lead to misunderstandings in our increasingly complex world.
Dayanand Bharati, Gurukulam, May 28, 2011, revised on 1-9-2024
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