Tweet This: How Social Media Is Diminishing Experiences

This is a conversation occurring more frequently as technology becomes a larger player in our everyday lives. Do our experiences matter if no one knows about it?  In a world dominated by social media, every status update, tweet or message should be one more connection.  What might be more of the case is we are becoming increasingly unable to “be in the moment.”  The constant need for validation has consumed almost every detail of the day to day life.  Perusing Facebook leaves the viewer knowing each step someone took throughout the day from the time they wake up, go to the gym, to the meal they ate(with antique looking photos) to their thoughts on TV before bed.  As Nancy Colier, LCSW Rev asks; “does it feel less like it happened if not captured by a lens?”

What is this constant need to share? When was the last time that we enjoyed a sunset, show, or get together without the phones out telling the rest of the people they know about what was going on right then?  We are not going to be able to experience those moments and those people if we are too worried about recording it. I find it strange since society seems to be moving in a more mindfulness based direction.  One of the key components is to be in the moment as the moment is happening.  Yet, there are these contradictory movements happening. I was in Disney this past June, enjoying Magic Kingdom’s firework show (fireworks are my favorite), I noticed that the majority of the people around me weren’t watching the show.  They were watching through their digital camera, phone or tablet.  Not a picture here or there, they, without ever taking their eyes off the screen to immerse themselves in the incredible show around them, experienced it second hand. We are experiencing our lives second hand.  The world doesn’t seem to exist outside of an 11×8 screen; it is as if we walk around with blinders on. What does this mean for our future? It isn’t just the children now who do it, adults are guilty as charged and it can only get worse as technology continues to become more intrinsic to our lives. Is this the start to our utlimate choice? Do we want the blue or red pill?