“I believe that the abominable deterioration of ethical standards stems primarily from the mechanization and depersonalization of our lives.”
-Albert Einstein
It’s amazing that the above quote was said by Albert Einstein in 1946, a time that many would say was quite technologically primitive compared to the 21st century.
And yet many, including myself, would agree that it’s even truer today than back then.
Everyday it saddens me that more and more faces are looking at their phones than at each other.
Before I get accused of throwing stones, let me admit that I too find myself becoming increasingly sucked in to checking my social media notifications instead of something more constructive.
And to play devil’s advocate, there are definitely benefits to the scientific progression we’ve made.
It’s not technology itself that’s bad, it’s our psychological reaction to it.
Here are a few tips suggested on the site mentalfloss.com to help cope with that:
- When you’re not using your phone, turn it off completely so it takes longer to turn it on. Some people say this technique helps them psychologically reach for their phone less.
- Make a list of chores for idle moments that will keep you too busy to be holding a smart device all the time.
- When you’re talking to someone in person, make a conscious effort to look them in the eye. Some say if you do it consciously, it helps prevent you from looking down.
Technology is great until it continues serving us. The problems start when it becomes the other way around.