The connectivity syndrome

Tech Trends

Bernie V. Lopez

The Connectivity Syndrome is an illusion one is in touch with the universe, when actually one is so alone amid the maddening cyber crowd.

               

Connectivity among a large group at a click of a mouse or what we call social networking is indeed a powerful tool. But it has somehow made zombies out of a lot of us, this author not exempted. Facebook and Twitter and LinkedIn and Youtube are as good as their content. If content is superficial or empty or absurd, then there is in truth no real connectivity. Life is also empty or absurd.

                

For some, superficial connectivity has become an obsession, an addiction. People spend hours glued to the monitor, keyboard steaming with replies and angry counter-replies. I have seen classmates, who are best friends, part ways in their egroups. Egroups and Facebook are a healthy way for small tight groups to have instant dialogues and sharings. But there are limits. There are extremes of hopeless Facebook addicts who forget to do the groceries. There is today an eye cancer epidemic sweeping through the U.S., hinting how serious the Connectivity Syndrome is.

                

I have a friend who is retired and spends six hours a day at the computer. If he stops, he will go crazy of boredom. So it has its role of keeping retired people with nothing else to do occupied. But occupied with what?

                

We have to do some soul searching to improve the quality of our connectivity, to be relevant. Connectivity implies relationships, not just information flow. And relationships imply loving or hating. Which are we, a little of both?

                

We do not have to be serious. Humor is a youth serum. There are people who spend hours in the computer just laughing at jokes galore. They are the lucky ones. For humor is as relevant as the serious cerebral geopolitics.

                

The balance of dwelling in cyberspace and in the physical world, like walking or even just appreciating blue skies, is critical. Our sanity and the meaning of our lives are dependent on this critical balance. When you have done two hours of keyboard, go out there and scream. It will do you good. People may think you are mad. They do not know you are trying not to get mad. eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com