Are we all digital slaves?
A Simple Thought.
I’m Ekam — currently between things, mildly bored, and overly caffeinated — so I figured why not start sharing stuff I actually enjoy?
Before we dive into my ninth post, here’s my story in five words:
Startups. Consumer/Food. Personal Finance. Life. Sports.
That’s the vibe. If you’re into any of those, stick around.
Are We SCREEN TRAPPED?
I’ve been back in India for a couple of months now, and it seems like everyone is talking about two things: AI and real estate/stocks. The conversations are all about the next big app or the next big property investment or stock opportunity. People are constantly creating and chasing the future, and I’ve been busy too, making websites for some of my ideas. It's exciting, but it also got me thinking…
As I look around, everyone is on a laptop or a phone. It feels like we're all plugged in, all the time. It’s gotten to the point where it feels awkward to just sit in a cafe without being on your phone. Is this what we want? Are we becoming slaves to our screens?
I can't help but feel we're heading somewhere we didn't plan to go. I see kids spending all their free time online, and honestly, most adults are doing the same. It makes me wonder about the life we're building for ourselves. I believe the problem lies deeper than that.
I remember when getting something new was a real event. I once ordered an Arsenal jersey, and it took a whole month to arrive. I remember the feeling of waiting for it, and the pure joy I felt when I finally held it. That wait made the joy feel bigger.
Today, we can get anything we want in 10 minutes. It’s easy, but has that convenience taken some of the happiness away? When there's no struggle, there's no feeling of satisfaction. I worry that by making everything so easy, we're actually making ourselves more empty and a little more sad.
What truly excites us anymore?
Lately, I’ve started to find my own answer, and it’s in the simple, offline things.
Last month, I sat down with one of my close friends and we worked on a 550-piece puzzle. I have to admit, we really struggled completing it. There were no phones, just us, the puzzle pieces, and good conversation. It felt great. I’ve also been playing tennis again and going for long walks in the park with my favorite cappuccino.
These are the things that make me feel good. These moments feel real.
In our rush to be productive and connected online, we forget to just stop and ask ourselves what we actually enjoy. I think we are heading towards a world where we feel more alone, even though we are more connected than ever.
It’s funny when you hear that many of the big tech leaders in San Francisco don’t let their own kids have much screen time. They built this digital world, but they know how important it is to live outside of it. They saw the problem all along.
Look, I love technology and computers. This isn't about getting rid of them.
It's just a reminder to take a step back. Life is short, and the work will always be there. It’s life, bro! We have to enjoy it.
So find some time to disconnect. Go for that walk. Start that puzzle. Call a friend instead of texting. Just take a moment to breathe and be present. You might be surprised by how much better it feels.