Hero of this Story
A reflection on how our incredible modern devices can either dull our minds with distraction or empower us to create, connect, and build lives we’re proud of.
Part of the fun of sci-fi novels is the gadgets. While it's easy to become numb to our current technology, day-to-day devices are truly incredible and the stuff of stories. I consider what my 10-year-old self would think if he could see our gadgets, and I smile at how his little mind would be blown. However, when I think of how the majority of people use their devices, I get a little sick. Everywhere I look, I see people melting their brains on constant doomscrolling, social media garbage, and the undisputed garbage king, TikTok. Ok, I am being a bit judgmental. Short engagement with any of these is not anything to worry about. Yet, I don't believe short engagement is what's going on for the majority. I think a great number of people waste time on their devices to an enormous degree. Every moment of solitude or potential creation is simply sacrificed at the altar of a small cadre of billionaires. What comes back at us is tribalism, hate, confusion, anxiety, narcissism, and so much garbage.
What if we considered something different? What if we go back to a previous point – the Sci-Fi novel (or movie or show). What if you were the intrepid future explorer? What would your device do for you? You don't need to consider being some space warrior. Instead, consider if you were a journalist, a writer, a doctor, a teacher, but one who really engaged with some future setting, who was active, dynamic. You are the hero of this story. Do you simply just take out your device and stare into the void of some stupid new TikTok dance craze? Or do you write, collect ideas, film, send out messages to connect and get things moving? Our devices are with us 24/7, so they have a huge impact on our lives. We can use them to channel our elevated intentions through. They are our multi-tools, so why not ensure we use the tools to build a life we love, one that engages us, one where we act as the hero?
We can all do better. This isn't abut constantly working; it is about engaging. We hold in our hands some of the most powerful pieces of technology that have ever existed, and they are only getting more powerful. We can either melt our brains with them or we can build.
Let us go forth and build a story we can be proud of.
