the danger of doing nothing | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

The Dangerous Art of Doing Nothing

Even when you have the tools to do everything

130
https://pixabay.com/en/phone-screen-technology-mobile-1052023/
https://pixabay.com/en/phone-screen-technology-mobile-1052023/

Really think for a moment; in your hands you not only have the power to find all of the information ever recorded, but also the power to communicate with any person, see any place, and do pretty much anything.

In case you didn't realize yet, these are just the broad ideas of the things you can and have been able to do with the internet, with social media, for almost decades now. You don't really stop and think about how inexplicably astounding it is to be able to instantly message someone halfway around the world, or how insane it is that we can look up a person from history, and have their whole life story laid out in front of us in a matter of seconds.

You'd think this would make every individual a genius, but it doesn't. You'd also think that it would make some sort of world peace, but it doesn't. Nor does it extinguish poverty, cure cancer, or fix the environment. It should, but it doesn't.

Instead, we live in a time where we have the tools to do everything, and yet, many days we use them to do nothing.

We are more inclined towards giving a like or retweet to a cause we "support" rather than actually do anything to support said cause. We talk about people we disagree with without even putting in the work to find out why that person thinks the way they do. We blindly accept the news as it is presented to us online or offline, and then wonder later why we didn't hear about something important happening in the world.

We have become numb to the immense capabilities of technology, and in this numbness, it can be easy to feel powerless. Although we have the means to obtain all the information in the world, to communicate with every person at any time of day, it is incredibly easy to feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities.

We see all the information we do not know, and we feel stupid. We see all the people doing better than us, and we feel worthless. We see the places we haven't been, the things we haven't done, and suddenly a world of opportunity becomes an ever present reminder of everything we're missing.

Discouraged, we disappear into the anonymity and comfort of mere surface level interactions with these tools we have to do everything.

We like profile pictures, we look up how to spell "definitely," for the sixth time. We retweet our friend's jokes and opinions, we order clothes and message family. All important things, but in the infinite possibilities of what our technology could bring us- we do practically nothing.

And we continue to do nothing, simply because we have been convinced that we're supposed to do everything, and as such, we don't even try to do something.

Like any art form, the art of doing nothing must be carefully practiced in order to reach perfection. But also like any art form, you have the choice of whether or not you want to practice it in the first place.

While you have the tools to do anything, it is impossible to do everything. But that doesn't mean you can't do something, and it certainly doesn't mean you should do nothing. Start that project, really support that cause. Do the thing you've always wanted to do.

It is incredibly easy to become overwhelmed, and so we all need a reminder that everyone can do something to better ourselves, the people we love, the world around us, because we live in a time where we have the tools to do everything, and there is no excuse to be doing nothing.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

1716
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

448265
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

20966
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

44094
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments