Digital slave

I am in an unhealthy relationship with word's on screen. Everything is transmitted digitally. Reality without electronics is empty. 

I am so disconnected. 

These bleeping lights out of the corner of my eye I have become a slave to.

"Ooo, a potential message!" like a dog reacting to a treat, like a gambling addict betting their last cent. 

My actions are guided by a series of flashes. Blue light means not so important, slow if you will, like a foreign traffic light.. But green, you better check that immediately! That's contact from a human! But is it? Well, yes, it is, but really its the remnants of what was. Its the memory of what someone has thought. It's not the now. That beauty has been lost, the instantaneous emotion of expression, that which can't be consciously comprehended, lost. We're all living in anticipation for what's to come, not appreciating the wonder of the now. May the wonder of human interaction rest in peace. Yes, it obviously still exists, we haven't fully devolved into the matrix just yet, but we better be careful, because it will slowly eat our souls before we can realize its too late. 

I don't want to be that guy that says "I was born in the wrong time", nobody likes that guy, but I truly wonder what it would be like. No telephones, no constant connection, trusting the word of a friend when meeting somewhere, setting a time that you both agree on, not texting or calling. Would there have been uncertainty? Or did words mean more back then? Were you held more accountable for your words? The way we are manipulated - unknowingly - by electronics can't be good. We're blind sided in a sense, it takes effort to step back and disconnect from it. 

I'm terribly addicted, I think we all are at this point. Nobody's coming to save us, its dog eat dog, every man for themselves at this point. Will you continue to be a slave to the flashy lights? Or will you take a step back and free your mind from the stranglehold it has on us all.  

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

I think we're all quite addicted to the flashing lights as you all them. The world we live in is not like yesteryear when word of mouth and actual "thinking" was the norm. Now, everything is impersonal, electrifying your brain....you are wired! This electronic age doesn't allow us to really know other people; we are hiding behind a smoke screen, so everything is concealed. Will we be addicted to flashy lights forever? nobody knows. Interesting Chapter, invites discussion.
Best, Betty

[Temperance]

Very interesting write and full of emotion and, as I re-read it for the third time, I see some very valid questions and, someone who yearns for a more normal human interchange. You, and almost everyone under the age of 40, are addicted to their electronic devices. The urge to continuously check for messages and reactions is due to a natural drug called dopamine that occurs as a neurotransmitter in the brain. It is like an addiction. It gives you that feel good feeling. So many young people think of the electronic triggers as acceptance or, value of self. It is also easy to hide one's lack of confidence behind these devices/apps. This addiction can be kicked. Turn it off at times, especially when driving a vehicle. Know that you are better for it. Do not let others create your value. You must do it yourself. You can start your own trend......hand-write a note to a friend. Put the challenge out there. Schedule a meet-up to have coffee and talk. Yes, "back then" words did mean more and, we were more accountable for our words. However, the same holds true for today except, someone's "word" isn't as valued because society has broken their word too many times. Become a man of your word. I stand by my word...always! My word is like a promise. Develop your strength...one day at a time. Taking a step back is not a bad idea. Electronic devices are inanimate devices controlling humans. Let's reverse that. Best of everything to you! Temp