Physical or digital?

Sleep doesn't seem to be coming easy tonight, so I have decided to post some late night thoughts that just sprung up to my mind. There is no doubt that in our age, we are bearing witness to the birth of a new kind of human : the Homo Digitalis. (Okay, I know that someone, somewhere, must have come up with this term way before I did, so please don't sue me if you are reading this). The Internet seems to be invading more and more into the real world on a daily basis. Starting out as a means of global communication, it has evolved into a parallel universe these days. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Probably both… or maybe neither of them, who can tell? Let's talk about one thing that worries me in particular.

The prospect of making money online seems to be a big thing right now. Reading articles here on Steemit, and in many blog communities, I see a lot of people expressing their desire to “live their dream “, that is, no longer having to wake up early in the morning for work, blogging, eating, travelling around the world, posting photos and videos all the time, etc. It's perfectly acceptable to be having such dreams. I mean, who wouldn't want to live such a comfortable and carefree life? But just how many people can achieve such a lifestyle, by only means of blogging? Imagine a world where everyone would make money just by posting articles on a personal blog. Impossible, I know. Some of us slaves still have to get up early in the morning for work. Which is why the “taking over “ of the real world from the Internet worries me. It has become so big, to the point where no one can imagine life without the Internet. But the Internet wasn't always around, and people lived just as well, if not better, without it. Don't get me wrong, I love the Internet just as every other user out there. I spend many hours a day online, and I realise it is a wonderful tool. But I get the feeling that it is also destroying our generation. It helps create false expectations about life, and I don't think that's going to end well for any of us. Compared to older generations, our generation doesn't seem to have a healthy view of what life is all about. I understand that the Internet is not entirely to blame for this situation, but it has definitely played a major part.

So why am I posting this article online, if I am worried so much that the Internet is ruining us all? Well, where else would I share my concerns about the effects of the Internet on our lives? Don't be in a hurry to call me “technophobe “. I would describe myself as “technoskepticist”. Like I said, the Internet is a great place to be spending time. I just don't want to wake up one day and find myself living in the Matrix. Let's just try and keep some balance, and remain in the Twilight Zone… hoping for the best.