The Cyber Shuffle | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

The Cyber Shuffle

Alluring or Detrimental?

16
The Cyber Shuffle

*Click*

1:52 PM

3 missed calls.

2 new voicemails.

5 new messages.

18 unread emails.

4 BlackBoard Assignments.

1 missed FaceTime Call.

7 Facebook Notifications.

11 unopened Snapchats.

150 Instagram Likes.

1 Reminder.

6 Twitter favorites...

In our minds, every one of these notifications requires immediate attention. What did those three people who called wish to speak to me about? When are my BlackBoard assignments due? How much time do I have to Snapchat back before I lose my streak? Who emailed me? A professor? That employer from my most recent job application? Where is that meeting again? Why was I tagged in your most recent photo? With social media, we constantly get caught up in the who, what, where, and why— but never the I.

It begs the question; are social media and technological advances advantageous or the cores of our daily stress? Think about it; who wouldn't be stressed with 100+ notifications staring them in the face? When all they wanted to do was check the time...

Yes, thanks to iPhones, Mac computers, the latest Windows software, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN, iMessage, group FaceTime, Google Docs, email and a university Black Board portal, we are able to promote our own businesses, share our latest selfie, submit our term papers, schedule important meetings, and RSVP to events without ever looking anything besides our screens in the face. But are we turning a blind eye to the drawbacks for the sake of convenience? There is no doubt that social media & technological advances have transformed society for the greater good in various ways, but when was the last time you checked your electronic of choice and not see a pressing issue demanding your undivided intentness?

I never realized it much, until I grew closer to my significant other. We would cuddle up close and put on a movie, but PAUSEI forgot to check my email. I quickly open my lab top and implore him to leave the movie playing and not wait for me. I close my lab top, look up, and see that we are halfway through the movie. Um, how did that happen? I began to notice this pattern happening time and time again in variations, now that I was aware of it. Every night reserved for us two together increasingly consisted of a good start, technological interruption, tedious distraction, apologies from me, and a potentially great night wasted. I felt terrible for my significant other who understood and did not want to say anything to interrupt my busy body responsibilities, but whom also wished I was paying more attention to him. I recognized that instead of continuing to focus on the who, what, where and why— I needed to hone in on the I. In this scenario, the we.

This is my request— attempt to evaluate your obligations and social media in a new light. Are they your saving grace? Or bring you more stress than necessary? Every person is different and entitled to choose but I challenge you to power off and take a second view— think about what technology and social media may be doing to you.

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

2615
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...

449135
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.

21491
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.

44514
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