BT Song 1264
As I find social media like WhatsApp becoming boring with rhetorical messages (along with so many ‘Good Morning’ and ‘Good Night’ messages), I felt a bit relaxed when WhatsApp stopped my application because I refused to update it as per its conditions. I know using social media is like fire—it can be used for good or bad purposes. Nobody can deny the great opportunities social media has opened for everyone to share their thoughts. However, I feel that like money, which remains a good servant but a bad master when we allow it to control us, social media is the same. But I found one difference: unlike money or any other thing on which we can exercise some control, social media never allows us to have that control over it. We may close certain apps and keep away from certain social media platforms, but the way the internet and social media now control us is a bit dangerous. It has deprived us of so many important values in our life as humans, particularly in our relationships with others.
In the past, the telephone replaced the importance of writing a personal letter. Now social media has even replaced that phone call. One can just type some informal message or, worse, simply forward certain messages or videos. Similarly, many people won’t read our messages or forwarded messages but simply insert some symbols like thumbs up or clapping as if they agree or appreciate our message. I have done the same when I receive some boring or rhetorical messages. I simply insert some icons without even reading them, just to show that I have read their message. This is not good and even unethical. But I realize now that a warm phone call is more valuable than any WhatsApp message or forwarded videos. But people have no time even for that. As most people now live their ‘digital life,’ I feel that now social media and the internet have begun to control our lives even without our consent. We have Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Parents’ Day, Friends’ Day, etc. Now they will simply forward a ‘Happy Parents’ Day’ message to their parents and not even bother to call to inquire about their health or needs, living in an old age home or alone in their native place. The only exception is ‘Valentine’s Day’ where they cannot simply forward a message to their girlfriend. Of course, the girls can do that but never the boys to their girlfriends.
There is no point in switching to some other apps like ‘Signal’ or ‘Telegram.’ Only the messenger changes, but the message remains the same. When one person requested me to download ‘Signal,’ in response I wrote, ‘In order to get the SIGNAL I sent one TELEGRAM. But the message came that there is not enough SIGNAL to download it.’
However, as I was meditating about it, I thanked God as I have my relationship with Him, which allows me to trouble Him even by writing these kinds of poems.
When I shared this with a small group, one person wrote back to me:
“Oh but yet can’t believe such a positive person who has given so much to the community, both for Christ Bhaktas and otherwise, will want to be away from the world?”
P….
16-06-2021
The following is my response to that person:
I don’t know. I am a shy person, but many don’t believe me. I never like anyone to post my pictures on their website. I don’t want others to talk about me. I prefer the life of a recluse.
No, I don’t want to be away from the world, which is almost impossible. I am with the world but don’t want to be in it. It is very difficult to explain.
Let me try to explain it a bit more clearly to you. I cannot cope with the speed at which this technological and digital world moves. I want to keep my own pace. That is why I don’t want to read any group messages. Because before I can understand one message, so many responses pour in continuously, not connected to one another. It is like everyone wants to talk simultaneously (as it happens in some TV debates), in which no one can listen to others. But I would like to read one message, ponder on it, then share my reflection. This is the best way to learn from each other (and also to teach others). But when we try to talk simultaneously, no one is going to learn anything, and these kinds of discussions often remain as ‘intellectual entertainment’ with one trying to outwit the other, and no one taking anyone or anyone’s point seriously. This is not the traditional method of teaching and learning. Unfortunately, all group messages have created this mess, and most of the members in those groups are happy to continue in it. But I cannot cope with this kind of (mad) rush.
This is what I mean when I say that I want to be with the world but not in the world. A recluse wants to live in her own world, going with it slowly and firmly. But once the Internet, social media, and gadgets came, they created more problems for me than giving me any space to cope with this world.
I will continue to learn and share with others who are ready to go at my speed, but not run to rush and push along with the crowd.
Db
16-06-2021
BT Song 1264
As I find social media like WhatsApp becoming boring with rhetorical messages (along with so many ‘Good Morning’ and ‘Good Night’ messages), I felt a bit relaxed when WhatsApp stopped my application because I refused to update it as per its conditions. I know using social media is like fire—it can be used for good or bad purposes. Nobody can deny the great opportunities social media has opened for everyone to share their thoughts. However, I feel that like money, which remains a good servant but a bad master when we allow it to control us, social media is the same. But I found one difference: unlike money or any other thing on which we can exercise some control, social media never allows us to have that control over it. We may close certain apps and keep away from certain social media platforms, but the way the internet and social media now control us is a bit dangerous. It has deprived us of so many important values in our life as humans, particularly in our relationships with others.
In the past, the telephone replaced the importance of writing a personal letter. Now social media has even replaced that phone call. One can just type some informal message or, worse, simply forward certain messages or videos. Similarly, many people won’t read our messages or forwarded messages but simply insert some symbols like thumbs up or clapping as if they agree or appreciate our message. I have done the same when I receive some boring or rhetorical messages. I simply insert some icons without even reading them, just to show that I have read their message. This is not good and even unethical. But I realize now that a warm phone call is more valuable than any WhatsApp message or forwarded videos. But people have no time even for that. As most people now live their ‘digital life,’ I feel that now social media and the internet have begun to control our lives even without our consent. We have Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Parents’ Day, Friends’ Day, etc. Now they will simply forward a ‘Happy Parents’ Day’ message to their parents and not even bother to call to inquire about their health or needs, living in an old age home or alone in their native place. The only exception is ‘Valentine’s Day’ where they cannot simply forward a message to their girlfriend. Of course, the girls can do that but never the boys to their girlfriends.
There is no point in switching to some other apps like ‘Signal’ or ‘Telegram.’ Only the messenger changes, but the message remains the same. When one person requested me to download ‘Signal,’ in response I wrote, ‘In order to get the SIGNAL I sent one TELEGRAM. But the message came that there is not enough SIGNAL to download it.’
However, as I was meditating about it, I thanked God as I have my relationship with Him, which allows me to trouble Him even by writing these kinds of poems.
When I shared this with a small group, one person wrote back to me:
“Oh but yet can’t believe such a positive person who has given so much to the community, both for Christ Bhaktas and otherwise, will want to be away from the world?”
P….
16-06-2021
The following is my response to that person:
I don’t know. I am a shy person, but many don’t believe me. I never like anyone to post my pictures on their website. I don’t want others to talk about me. I prefer the life of a recluse.
No, I don’t want to be away from the world, which is almost impossible. I am with the world but don’t want to be in it. It is very difficult to explain.
Let me try to explain it a bit more clearly to you. I cannot cope with the speed at which this technological and digital world moves. I want to keep my own pace. That is why I don’t want to read any group messages. Because before I can understand one message, so many responses pour in continuously, not connected to one another. It is like everyone wants to talk simultaneously (as it happens in some TV debates), in which no one can listen to others. But I would like to read one message, ponder on it, then share my reflection. This is the best way to learn from each other (and also to teach others). But when we try to talk simultaneously, no one is going to learn anything, and these kinds of discussions often remain as ‘intellectual entertainment’ with one trying to outwit the other, and no one taking anyone or anyone’s point seriously. This is not the traditional method of teaching and learning. Unfortunately, all group messages have created this mess, and most of the members in those groups are happy to continue in it. But I cannot cope with this kind of (mad) rush.
This is what I mean when I say that I want to be with the world but not in the world. A recluse wants to live in her own world, going with it slowly and firmly. But once the Internet, social media, and gadgets came, they created more problems for me than giving me any space to cope with this world.
I will continue to learn and share with others who are ready to go at my speed, but not run to rush and push along with the crowd.
Db
16-06-2021
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