Less than 200 years ago we didn’t have lightbulbs in homes. In 2006 we didn’t have iPhones. Over the years technology has become increasingly more complex and taken over our daily lives.The internet is infinitely wider and more “efficient.” But is it?
If you are on social media, every day you are subject to millions of videos and narratives of different people without even realizing it.
You know the saying: you are what you eat?
The things you consume on social media become a part of you. You are subject to so many thoughts and opinions it becomes hard to differentiate them from your own. Just like whatever books, artwork, and music you consume are a part of who you are, so is the media you consume.
Beauty and the way you are perceived is valued over everything else, and this is becoming increasingly apparent on the internet. Individuality is so important for being recognized in the media, but only the right kind of individuality and only if you are beautiful. Ironically, the rise of individuality has become a sort of copycat culture in not only personal style but ideas and hobbies.
The way you are perceived has never been valued this important. It feels like a camera constantly watching you to make sure you fit whatever mold you carve out for yourself. The judgement and lack of empathy towards those who don’t fit with these standards is astounding.
The fixation on looks and conformity with trends leads to a copycat culture not only in fashion but in ideas and thoughts.
In addition to this, the rise of AI has contributed to this lack of new ideas. Why think for yourself when a computer can think for you? In fact, why live when a computer can take over your whole life?
As a writer I find this increasingly apparent whenever I write or research anything on the internet. This has become a world where stupidity is valued, and we are playing into it.
So you may be thinking this is ridiculous, but you may be thinking, “how can I stop myself from being subject to a life of other people thinking for me?”
I find journaling can be the simplest yet most helpful thing to do. Write bad. Draw terrible. Think stupid. And once you do that you can grow.
Simply writing down whatever ideas you have can help you get out whatever you really think. Bonus points if you have a tangible journal and not your notes app (I get it). When you hear so many peoples’ thoughts, it can feel like your opinions are drowning somewhere all the way at the bottom of a storm.
Work on your empathy, and I don’t just mean be kind. Stand up for what you believe in. Don’t be polite about it. Don’t be quiet.
Accept the fact that you are changing, constantly. The people you judge are also changing. You don’t have to be set in your thoughts and ideas to speak them, tomorrow you might be speaking against them.
