By Tracy Schruder
The internet has become a source of detachment, stripping away the essence of human connection. Initially designed to facilitate anonymous sharing, including controversial content, the internet has evolved into a tool that both unites and isolates. While it enables rapid communication and convenient shopping, it also facilitates disconnection and theft – not just of material goods, but of meaningful relationships.
I’ve lost touch with numerous individuals from my real world, some significant, some not. The internet has diminished the value of genuine human interaction. Our words, actions, and true intentions are often lost in digital translation. I’ve come to realize that online messaging, though useful, can never replace the depth of in-person connections. We can’t replicate the nuances of human interaction – a glance, a tone, an energy – in a digital format.
The internet promises anonymity, but at what cost? It takes courage to be vulnerable, to show up authentically. Instead, we’re often left with “keyboard courage” and a false sense of security. This detachment enables us to ghost people, cutting ties without consequence. In contrast, real-life interactions demand accountability and respect.
It’s time to reclaim our humanity and redefine the internet’s role in our lives. We don’t need the internet to dictate our relationships or define our connections. Let’s use it judiciously, for purposes that uplift and unite us – like humanitarian efforts and knowledge sharing.
We deserve better. Let’s rediscover the joy of genuine human connection.
Head out to the library and actually pick up a physical book and read it. The feeling of the pages as they become unstuck from your fingers as you turn the pages is a delightful sensation.
Go shopping, even if just to browse. If you see someone you know, say hi and ask them how their day is going. Enjoy the freedom of actually seeing, touching and feeling what you are buying. Make a lunch date and actually go out to your favourite restaurant to enjoy a meal with another person. Call a friend or family member today. Visit someone who may have drifted apart. Engage with the world around you. Reclaim your humanity and find freedom in authentic relationships.
We do not need the internet. We not only survived but we thrived without it. Person to person connections are extremely important and we must remember that we are human. We have feelings and emotions and they cannot be shared effectively on the internet. We need each other in more ways than we realize. Turn off your computer or cellphone today and get out in the world. Be alive with the beautiful energy of connection.
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