Technosphere: Another dimension of existence

 Technosphere: Another dimension of existence

 

I am a millennial and therefore I have seen not just these days where world is available right at the tap of a single click, but before that when globalization actually entered and before that when life was actually alive and not just visible behind screens.

Though we have all adopted to this world getting digitalized with consumerism at its peak, people themselves becoming product with displaying each figment of their lives for the world to see and react; yet the real feelings or emotions are getting more and more lost.

And while most of the population is duped in getting fame by becoming viral regardless at what cost; or selling and buying products, media, food, content not bothering about the health’s cost… Yet there is also a section of the population that is aware and is finding something off about it all.

Now, I don’t know all the answers. I personally am feeling more and more disconnected from reality. As if, I have been living in some sort of simulation ever since 2019. As if, this world is not real. This timeline is not mine. These people all around are similar to those I knew in real life, but they are kinds of clones or something. They seem 2D to me.

There is no element of surprise left. No excitement. World is going meh about everything.

There are news flashes of disasters, wars. The world doesn’t care anymore.

There is a population making crazy amount of money, but feeling all the more alienated from reality.

Even travelling isn’t as fulfilling as the world post lockdown had made the most experiential thing into a competition, a race, a check point, something to show off.

And even the villagers have given up to greed, lethargy, cruelty and what not.

The government though claims to be supporting start ups to make more and more entrepreneurs; to have as much money and consumerism in the market as possible; but the taxes, the cost of living, the consumerism is becoming so high that people won’t really be people anymore but slaves to a capitalistic society – in order to survive.

Yeah! Lifestyles are getting better. There are facilities in terms of material possessions and services. But people are getting more and more superficial and cut off from each other.

I hear so many people saying that they hardly leave their rooms now, that they prefer to be alone and what not. Even I used to claim that I was a complete loner. But two years’ back, when I was in Manali and a massive flood came at nearby places; the electricity went off for three days. It is then that I realized my dependency upon internet.

I am not saying that it is bad to be dependent upon internet. With the amount of information available anytime at a single click in our hands – is quite a super power. To be able to order any commodity or necessity and even get it at doorstep within ten minutes is in fact a luxury.

Yet, the communication amidst humans is getting lesser and lesser each passing day. While it is amazing that we have a possibility to interact with artificial intelligence and discuss all our concerns without fear of judgement and even get the best of inspiration, information, possible steps to take, best advices partake; but that human element is missing. Plus, imagine a time without internet accessibility and you have no one to talk to as you won’t remember how or won’t be able to trust somehow. We are losing our vulnerability due to intellect in a way. Not all. Most of the population is too busy in drama, consumption and hardly gives a damn about it.

That’s another reason why it must be taken into account – the way we all are living. Every second person I meet with seems bored of life. There is no excitement left for festivals or even birthdays like earlier timeline.

I am not saying that it is a must to create a fuss about festivals. But that spirit – that’s what I am talking about. The zeal to live, the spirit to celebrate, the strength to actually connect and be with each other – is getting lesser and lesser each day.

With me, its different. Personally, I never wanted to be a loner. But I didn’t want toxic or unhealthy connections as well. Being a girl, a major reason you have a lot of friends in your peak youth is because they expect more connection later on. Once you cross that threshold, and also get mature or rational to understand people’s intentions; it gets simply impossible to oversee the red flags. I just don’t find people worth my time and energy any more.

But, when I do feel someone worth my time and affections; I leave no stone unturned to express and make them feel valued. That is what makes me feel alive. That wish is still there inside to connect, to love, to be loved, to heal, to be healed, to create together, to interact and discuss stuff, to live whatever destined moments be the best possible way.

Yet, it truly disappoints me when people only connect with others when they want something out of them. Influencers collaborate to build more views. Celebrities date to create a fuss, publicity and news. Politicians align to gain political power.

Not like that wasn’t the case earlier. Even at the times of kings, people used to marry off their daughters or princesses to align kingdoms and such. Even then relationships or alliances had other motives and were rather barters. Yet, there were healthy connections as well. People were more human with actual empathy and humanity in them.

Though all these values gain views on internet these days. But are they really rewarded or admired in real life? Hardly so.

Back in college, during my post graduate degree, one of my professors asked me to visit his room during vacations to take the list of students’ names of my group project. I denied to go there alone. He later took full revenge by not only marking me rather poorly in my internal assessment exam but also failing me in one of the subjects that he had in his hands. I aced much more than required in all other subjects. Just his was left that too by two marks. I had got an admission in another university to pursue P.H.D.. But due to that one subject, I had to stay back, clear it in next six months; by then the admission procedure in the next university was long done.

Now, in today’s time, I could have used internet, Instagram to actually raise my voice. Maybe I would have got justice as well. Or maybe, I would have been further pressured by department of university or who knows. I recently noticed yet another student of Delhi university grieving about the same thing online. That brought back my memory and it resonated with me.

In hindsight, I actually wonder should I have rather gone to that professor’s room? as that simple step of self-respect costed me my entire career that too after finishing 5 years of studies in the same curriculum. While nothing happened to him.

And it is not just him. I met with similar instances again and again in my life. May it be a boss hitting upon me and on being rejected, giving my entire project to some other girl back in Bangalore. Or being made like a ping pong ball between a producer and director in Delhi who had issues with that fact that I wasn’t smiling enough in the office or wasn’t flattering their egos.

These are all personal scenarios that I had to face in my life. Being from a narcissistic household, I didn’t have enough courage back then to raise my voice. Or even if when I did, I had to pay with the loss of my career or jobs or friendships.

Would media access like today could have helped me back then? May be yes! May be no! I may have got support and such. Many even give jobs out of sympathy. Or else you become a gossip material for others.

Do you know, one of the sure shot short cuts to go viral on Instagram today is to be vulnerable. To actually speak about all your pains and troubles. I have such a massive bag of real-life instances that people would wonder how have I actually carried on my life. But something in me just stops me. I don’t want anybody’s pity! And my life is my life. Even access to my tragedies or experiences is mine. Whom I tell about my life and to what extent should remain in my hand. Why would I make it a content for others to pass their judgements.

One can say, that it can actually help me get justice. True. For the right cause yes! But how many times does justice actually happen. People are free to talk about righteousness as long as it is about others’ wrongdoings.

Growing up and travelling so much, I have observed all sections of society, have lived amidst all levels of people – and no one that I found to be truly righteous per say.

Whatever we see around is but an image that people like to portray or want others to believe in. the closer you get the more filth you would see. Reality is actually filthy.

And therefore, we have probably unconsciously shifted to this simulated life where we have the choice to choose which channel, what language, what timeline, what content, what colors, what mood we like to set ourselves in.

So we sit in our air-conditioned rooms, with few planters, and create an artificial mood with paintings of nature and then play something funny or romantic or whatever mood we want to get in – without really risking ourselves to pain or suffering or finally realizing that humans are not as white and black as we would want to believe.

A few months back, I had watched a sci fi animated movie, where a dystopian world was shown. The artificial intelligence had taken over the world. The humans were made to sit upon throne like seats moving upon tracks. Their were screens installed in front of each individual and a table beside them offered various fast-food edibles like burgers and pizzas and such. Every person in there was intoxicated with the media and food without any botheration about the world. They felt that they were living like kings. Instead it was the machines that were keeping them in such illusions. Outside, all nature was destroyed. There were commercials being shown upon various screens everywhere. The humans didn’t even had to move. They were picked up from their beds and kept upon chairs with screens in front of them to keep their minds occupied and food beside them to keep their stomach filled. Beyond all that, there was no time or space for them to think or do anything. They all had fat bellies bulging in front of them.

That movie was an old animated movie. I often think about that. Because the more I look around, the more it seems to be real.

Yet another sci fi movie had shown every individual having a boxed artificial intelligent invisible screen in a sphere around their faces. Those were kids abandoned by a planet upon another planet to be taken care of my machines. They were all living, given information, taught, taken to so an so place by navigation – all through those screens that used to come alive each time they woke up. They didn’t know any directions, had no contact with their real parents, nothing to give them a reality check – but those screens. The movie had other fantasy elements later with some alien attach or a virus in the system that went rogue and manifested in their real life devouring them to finish all humans… but the original concept of being so highly dependent upon artificial intelligence seemed so legit as they didn’t even know how to walk or talk without those screens.

In Gulliver’s travels, Gulliver had showcased a land called Laputa where the people though were all intellectuals but were so cut off from reality that it was their slaves who had to remind them how to do even basic things like bite, chew, talk or laugh. I think, we too as a society are gradually moving exactly there. Except, we are becoming more and more dependent upon A.I.

 

Honestly, I have nothing against it. I rather appreciate the fact that everyone has access to everyone. On the face of it, it looks as if technology is rather connecting people. We can talk with anyone in the world from anywhere. We can collaborate, create content, fly to, showcase our talent. There are no middlemen gatekeeping art or movies or stories or artist. But is it really that easy?

While we can talk to anyone in the world, yet people living below the same roof no more want to interact anymore. Because there is better entertainment available online.

While we can collaborate with anyone around the world, yet people are more busy buying fake followers, fake purchases, fake reviews and what not.

While all are free to showcase their talent, yet what are people really showcasing is something can really be studied. It’s so cringe. Its truly filthy.

The content that most goes viral is mostly cringe or really absurd. While it does has its value in terms of expression. Helps one get over ego and self-consciousness. But isn’t art about beautifying a certain frame or showing a mirror to the world or imagining something beautiful. Yes, even shock reaction has its value. But it at least should be meaningful. Kafka’s metamorphoses wasn’t about a man becoming a cockroach. It had depth to it. It meant something. It represented a man unseen by the world if he fails to bring in any value to the world.

But the content most appreciated in these times is simply unworthy. It wastes time. it’s sheer garbage.

As majority of the population is losing its intellect, senses, rationality, appreciation and becoming numb. As numb to simply consuming whatever crap one is served with.

Look at some of the songs in today’s times. No lyrics, no music, just a beat with emphasis upon sexuality or luxury and that’s about it. At times, they don’t even do that. The lesser the efforts, the more it goes viral.

Doesn’t it say something about our time today as a society? Are we really as dump to appreciate that lowly a content that too when a sea of information, an abundance of good artists with their talents is available to us right in our phones?

 

The trend of 30 seconds reels is even more disastrous for our brains and systems. We are getting quickly bored. Next, next next. Next instant gratification. Next person to trauma dump. Endless swipes upon dating websites. Endless options upon food delivery applications.

The more options we have, the lesser we are actually choosing. We are simply endlessly surfing. And nothing seems to be fulfilling.

You may even find the love of your life. Someone perfect. But that habit of wanting more, looking for more options, not settling, being continuously bored – would seep in even there.

The divorce rates are going high. There are more number of heart attacks and even suicides. Either people are getting into endless sexual connections, without even taking the others to be humans or having any real interactions. Or else, there are years of celibacy maybe intentional or even because of failure to find someone aligned.

Whatever has happened to humanity? Why are we so cut off from each other? Can screens and entertainment really take over real emotional connections? Can store bought food ever be better than something prepared with love by someone who wishes your well-being? Can a lavish house or luxurious lifestyle be actually better than a basic life but spent with loved ones with all emotions and real-life people being there in your ups and downs.

Thing is, we all know what’s right or more fulfilling. And not everyone is actually so duped by capitalism or consumption or technology as well. Yet, it is also because of external factors.

Like someone may value home made food but if he/she is taunted about what and how much is he consuming – he/she won’t mind then to either prepare himself or herself or even buy food online as it at least has self-respect.

Or like in my case. All my life, I have always valued people. I always wanted good friends. Always remained an over giver in all terms. I had to learn boundaries way later. Had to realise the hard way that hardly anyone was really my friend. Or maybe they were in those timelines, but not everyone goes alongside upon our chosen paths.

Even now, if I really find compatible souls; leaving screens or luxury won’t even be a second thought for me. But those souls or collaborations should be worth it. The emotions should be genuine. The connections should be real.

One can say, how would we get to know the authenticity of something until we won’t try. I am not scared to try. I am simply far too experienced. All my life that is what I have done. That is what has given me such an edge over most of those around. Even now, when I do at times lower my defences and actually get vulnerable, I am again given yet another lesson.

A life coach online was recently speaking about how old souls must come into alignment with their real path and life goals to finally meet the most genuine souls. All previous connections therefore are only but lessons for them to learn from and move on from. Maybe that’s the truth. Hopefully that’s the truth.

Yet, I wonder, as a human, isn’t it the most basic need. Thankfully, my life taught me how to be on my own and actually love it – right from my childhood. But that is why I also appreciate and value each time I get compatible souls.

And it dazzles me how people can play with such a significant aspect of being human for such petty reasons. An uncountable number of people have ghosted me in my life so far. And never because anything wrong or weird happened. Imagine being on perfectly good terms and suddenly the other person simply vanishes. I used to blame myself for few years. that maybe it was something I did or didn’t so. I even used to blame others. That maybe they had other expectations. It was most disheartening when people I actually considered my friends totally cut me off once they got married. Not like I ever had any other intentions. But a friendship is a friendship. Its pure. It shouldn’t get hampered with you being married. Or I don’t know. Maybe that is in fact right. That also makes me concerned for the strength of their marriages to be honest. That can’t even handle a decent pure friendship with not just opposite but even same sex or gender.

I now though totally understand and respect the fact that two souls have simply finished their soul contracts and can’t go together any more. I rather express my gratitude in my heart and soul for the good times or even lessons that came to me thanks to some other soul.

Yet, a strange thirst remains in me. To connect in real life. To create along with others. To have genuine connections. To live life out loud beyond screens and others’ projections.

Come to think of it, people have gone so numb that they need to be told what to feel with sounds and words. I notice these trending insta reels – the same kind of sub texts, the same trending sounds, the same steps… are we humans or machines?

I don’t want fake laughter to realise that something is funny. I don’t want a sad music to realise that I must feel pained by someone’s circumstances. These all are tools of film making I know. They surely enhance the impact. But that has to be the background and only stay limited to movies or songs.

I see everyday people serving their every day realities as content with such repetitive trending sounds and emotions and then a mass mob sees or hears it and realises if they should laugh or cry or be shocked and they further forward it. Its’ all so idiotic.

For the right reason, the same technology can be life giving. Like a person needing justice through media attention. A genuine artist with talent needing the world to appreciate his/her skills. But all these so-called influencers becoming unconsciously dealers for brainwashing others into commercialism and those seeking fame by creating cringe filthy content – it’s all leading to a downfall of humans. As we are getting number and dumber as a civilization.  

And no, I am really not against internet. I even teach it to younger students that being available on internet is like having a digital address. Same like we have our homes in real life with proper addresses to reach us… Likewise our email I.Ds are our address. Our insta profile can be a portfolio if used right. A facebook profile can actually help you connect with so many people and even give you more limelight. On twitter you can actually raise a concern and get quicker action against an authoritative figure. Chat GPT can teach you about so many things that you had no idea about. It can truly connect the dots and guide you to the right cause. Youtube is such an epic way to share your songs or movies and even earn through that.

My problem is not technology. I rather admire it. I love it. I appreciate its presence in my life.

My problem is the cost of it.

When people replace real life connections over virtual ones. When virtual reality gains more popularity and preference over real one.

When people rather than using information and making lives better; instead become slaves to these apps or way of life and shift way off from real life connections.

 

And the most important thing; the fact that when we upload stuff over these apps and actually consider them as our identity’ we don’t realise that the power still remains in the hands of these companies.

Like I was big time into Facebook till a certain year. I actually used to upload thousands of pictures there. All my trips, my cherished memories, my connections, compliments. Facebook was a big-time part and parcel of my life. I had numerous followers there. And I actually used to invest my time and energy to post edited content. Until one day, I commented below some fake spiritual leader’s video who was belittling some girl and I was enraged by it. I had not even spoken anything wrong. Had only written what I felt. But this baba had a large number of uneducated blind followers – who all flagged my comment. And Facebook without even looking into it, suddenly blocked my account. For next few months, I suddenly went identity-less. My fingers used to take me automatically to the app only to realise that I was blocked there. No number of requests or complaints were heard by Facebook.

During that time, I not only realised how addicted I truly was to Facebook but also how much I had attached my sense of being to it. That totally gave me a reality check. I got back my profile with a warning after few months, I guess. But by then I was simply no more habitual to posting on Facebook. And had also realised how it can all be taken away in a single instance without any mistake of mine. I stopped posting much there ever since.

It is this year itself that after say a few years from that incident that I realised that most of my albums on Facebook are now empty. Imagine albums that had thousand each limit and which were all full earlier now have only hundred or so pictures in them. And that too the worst ones. I have no idea where my pictures went. Who took them.

I read about it online that many a times, it can happen due to technical errors from the backend part. Maybe all that happened when they had blocked and then reopened my account. Or maybe a psycho girl who had stolen my phone in Kargil a few years back did that out of her jealousy… I really don’t know.

The point remains. All that we hold close to us as our identity can be taken away in a single instance. Ask all those TikTokers who had millions of followers on their profiles during lockdown and the app itself got suddenly banned later on.

These apps are temporary. So is our data. It may all remain somewhere online throughout. But how it would be used. Till when you can actually claim it as yours. Till what limit can you monetize it – you really have zero control over it.

Facebook policy clearly states that they have full rights to remove any of your content. They can remove your entire profile with a single decision. So can insta. So can any other app where you may post something and dedicate all your precious time and years.

Now that is true anywhere to be honest. Our very being is mortal. Our life is limited. But that’s a topic for another time.

For now, we are discussing technology and our how our lives are related to it and how dependent can we really get upon it.

More and more people are now talking about how our phones are indeed devices used by government or companies to keep a tap upon our lives and overhear everything we do, know wherever that we go. In a way, have continuous surveillance upon us.

To a certain extent, I saw the good part in it. Like what would anyone get to know where I am or what I am talking. They can know about it for all I care. Rather, the fact that companies are showing me relevant products or content catering to exactly my needs is rather useful for me. I won’t have to make my search engine understand what exactly it is in my mind. It simply knows it through my words or ambience or choices or search history and so on.

But it does become a problem when it’s the other way round. When this technical grid begins to brainwash me to believing in something I never though about or had any inclination towards.

It gets rather scary when I am shown ads about something that I only thought about and neither spoke about it out loud nor searched about it anywhere.

One can say that our mind has a way of finding only the colors we need to find. So, if I think about shoes and immediately notice an add about shoes – maybe the add was always there, but now that I need it, that I am even giving my attention to it. Can be true. But not always.

The increasing consumerism has totally resulted in an ever-increasing number of advertisements. YouTube now shows two ads back-to-back if not skipped. Spotify shows three ads after every few minutes. I understand everyone has to pay bills. But at what cost? Yeah! We can subscribe to the add free versions of all these apps. But to what extent and where all.

Now that people are calling themselves content creators by promoting products.

Now that all billboards are filled with hoardings. Now that each swipe upon any blog, vlog, app, video, audio – all begins and ends with advertisement of something or the other.

And the fact that our lives are becoming so much dependent upon these technical systems.

Using technology makes things smooth, quicker, helps us function better. But boundaries are essential eve when it comes to our connect with technical stuff.

Otherwise, all those dystopian movies might just become real.

This is not only an alternate universe. This is legit a simulation that we all are manifesting and simultaneously creating with out own energy and efforts – this Technosphere – it is for sure yet another dimension that is in no way natural or real.