Before smartphones and the constant hum of social media, I found solace in my laptop. The internet was more manageable, and I could disconnect from the world for hours on end. In fact, working on a laptop made me feel less anxious than working on my smartphone, perhaps due to the added radiation or other waves. The speed of internet was slower, and YouTube was just starting out – there were fewer Google Videos competing for our attention. The content online was fewer, and people visited their favorite websites with intention. Internet was exotic it wasn’t the main part of our life. (now ChatGPT And AI is exotic)
But I’ve wasted countless hours in distraction, chasing false ideas, and mindless research. At work, during my daily commute, and even when I should have been focusing – always thinking, searching, consuming or judging my own ideas. By now, I’ve mastered search engines and can find any music, movie, ebook, software or tutorial using a variety of sources: both legal and non-legal, like torrent sites.
I’ve amassed a digital treasure trove of resources on various topics. However, I’ve also realized that I’ve collected many duplicate files and outdated content. The thought of deleting some of these items is daunting, but I’ve come to accept that life is short, and the internet can be overwhelming.
As someone with insatiable curiosity, I’ve struggled to narrow down my interests. The internet has become an ocean of knowledge and resources – a double-edged sword that provides endless possibilities but also creates information overload. I’ve had to rely on Discounts and Black Friday deals to supplement my digital collection.
In contrast, before the internet and computers were ubiquitous, people relied on books, libraries, schools, and additional courses to acquire new skills. I suspect this more relaxed pace allowed our brains to unwind from the constant barrage of facts, videos, texts, and audios.
Nowadays, it’s increasingly difficult to escape the internet. Our banks, social media, and government systems are all transitioning to digital formats, with our smartphones serving as our identity cards, wallets, and authorization tools. I fear that we’re becoming an integral part of the internet ecosystem – a phenomenon that threatens to overwhelm us with its sheer comprehensiveness.