Dis-Connected
by Ma. Victoria Z. Godinez
The video "Connected but Alone" articulates kernels of truth about how technology has changed the
way people view the world and relate to others. It builds on the proposition that people have become so
attached to technology that it has invaded every spectrum of their life. However, this intrusion has
alienated them from their basic human need to connect with the world. This is the paradox. In this age
of technological connectedness, people have become more disconnected to each other.
While it is true that technology has made it possible for people to connect with others in real time, this
ease in connectivity is instilling in them the culture of immediacy. People no longer want to wait. They go
berserk when the WIFI connection lags causing their screens to buff. They get annoyed when they do not
get a reply to the sent text messages. People no longer take down notes. They just take screen shots.
People tweet, post and upload not only because they want to share what is happening to them, but also
because they want to validate their existence by the number of views, likes, and followers they get. They
make technology their alter ego. There is no one to listen to their rants and raves so they engage in
cyberbullying. In the cloak of anonymity, people engage in illicit relations and perversions. It becomes
even more pathetic when it becomes a pseudo friend because "it creates the illusion of companionship
without the demands of friendship." Slowly, people are becoming emotionally bankrupt because only
authentic human communication can feed the mind and nourish the soul.
In their overreliance on technology, relationships are becoming more and more impersonal. While kind
words and a warm hug would have been more appreciated or appropriate, people rely on emoticons to
speak for them. They no longer spend time looking for that perfect greeting card to convey the
sentiments they have, but they simply download and send it by email. They build their own bubble
spaces; they distance themselves from those who might want to connect. By plugging in their earphones
or wearing their headsets, they send the message that they do not want to engage in small talks.
Because people can edit and delete, technology encourages them to create "artificial selves" - The
Facebook self, The Adobe Photoshop self. They show only what is good and beautiful which are only half-
truths about themselves. These illusions that they create for themselves are deceptive, preventing them
and others to know who they really are.
The obsessive use of technology has instilled in them the fear of solitude. They do not seek quiet
moments when they can just be with themselves. Because of this, they find it hard to engage in
introspection which is necessary if they really want to make connections with other humans. The
speaker reminds people that "if they do not teach their children to be alone, they will be lonely." The
bedrock of good communication is empathy, the ability and willingness to understand beyond words.
This sensitivity is acquired only with self-knowledge that comes through constant reflection of
interactions with the world.
In conclusion, the sentiments articulated in the video serve as a fitting reminder for to redefine people's
relationship with technology. No matter how advanced Artificial Intelligence and technology may be,
gadgets and robots will never be able to satisfy the basic human need to connect with one another.
Thus, they should never be barriers to authentic communication. People must take control. They are its
masters, not its slaves.
The video "Connected but Alone" examines how technology has changed the way
people view the world and relate to others. It argues that people have become so
attached to technology that it has alienated them from their basic human need to
connect with the world, leading to a culture of immediacy and cyberbullying. People
tweet, post and upload not only to share what is happening to them, but also to
validate their existence by the number of views, likes, and followers they get. This
creates an illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship, leading to
people becoming emotionally bankrupt. Authentic human communication can feed
the mind and nourish the soul.
Technology has become increasingly impersonal, leading people to create "artificial
selves" and build their own bubble spaces. This has instilled a fear of solitude,
making it difficult to engage in introspection and make connections with others. To
redefine people's relationship with technology, they must take control and learn to
be their own masters, not its slaves. Empathy is the bedrock of good
communication and is acquired through constant reflection of interactions with the
world.
"Dis-connected" by Ma. Victoria Z. Godinez is a short story that explores the themes of isolation,
alienation, and the search for connection in a world dominated by technology. The story is set in a
futuristic society where people spend most of their time in virtual reality, and the real world is a dull and
lonely place.
The protagonist of the story is a young woman named Anna, who is struggling to find meaning in her life.
She spends most of her time in virtual reality, where she can be anyone she wants and do anything she
desires. However, in the real world, she feels disconnected and alone.
Anna's life takes a dramatic turn when she meets a man named Tom, who is also disenchanted with the
virtual world. Tom introduces Anna to a group of people who have formed a community of like-minded
individuals who reject the virtual world and seek connection in the real world.
As Anna becomes more involved with the group, she begins to realize the emptiness of her virtual
existence and the importance of human connection. However, she also faces challenges and conflicts as
she tries to balance her new life with her old one.
In the end, Anna makes a difficult decision to disconnect from the virtual world completely and embrace
her new life with the community. The story ends on a hopeful note, as Anna finds a sense of purpose and
belonging in the real world.
Overall, "Dis-connected" is a thought-provoking exploration of the role of technology in our lives and the
importance of human connection. It raises important questions about the impact of virtual reality on our
sense of self and our ability to form meaningful relationships.
