Social Media is a New Form of Brainwashing
“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” ― George Orwell, 1984
In this rather opposing and clever few words George Orwell describes something scary. War is peace look at what’s happening in current politics Brexit, Trump and Berlusconi. I need to say nothing more. What’s actually scary is ‘Freedom is slavery’! We are free to do what we like; when we like and with whomever we like.
Yet we are manipulated by the media, social media and the social groups. I broke my phone. My screen is smashed so I have no social media, no Facebook, no Instagram, no Twitter, no Linkedin for over two weeks now. I can access my social media sites from my laptop, which surprisingly limits my time on these platforms. I only go there when I actually need to.
New Found Freedom
I’ve realised I’ve got more time to think, read and write. I didn’t realise I spent so much time on the phone using social media apps. It’s amazing how a few minutes add up to hours of my precious day. I would wake up and check my phone for any notifications on Facebook and Instagram which then leads to seeing ads and other stuff that’s been published.
Half an hour of my time is gone just like that! Our own freedom is a modern day slavery to our apps, social groups and media! These manipulate us into thinking, looking and even feeling the same as others whom we follow and associate with. Isn’t that a scary thought? What’s scarier though we become ignorant to our own thoughts and the world.
Becoming Blind and Hooked
We only know what’s around us and that’s it. We have the blinders on. We go on the same holiday, we buy the same houses, we have the same amount of children, dogs, cats and even friends. It’s almost exactly as George Orwell described in his book 1984. If you haven’t read it I highly recommend it. Not having my phone it’s like having my life back.
The hours in the day are my hours. I choose how I spend it, my thoughts are my own not manipulated by what other people share, and the ads that I am exposed to, and I get a lot more time. What’s fascinating though that Instagram makes me believe I am missing somebody’s story. The stories on Instagram don’t live very long!
What a clever way to keep people hooked! If you are genuinely interested in following someone you do feel like you are missing someone’s update. Isn’t this a form of addiction? I consider myself not an addictive person and I don’t have an addictive personality, however, this makes me think I am addicted to it. Not having a phone with the apps is a new found freedom.
Ignorances is a Bliss
Ignorance is a bliss or as George Orwell said “Ignorance is strength”. Sometimes it’s amazing not to read the news and not be manipulated by what’s out there. It’s great to just read your choice of books and have your own ideas, your own thoughts and ideals. It’s like having your own self back. It’s like being back to the childhood where everything is possible.
Being able to play with ideas is key. I find we sometimes are so scared to do what we want. The more we look at others sometimes the scarier it becomes the opposite of inspiring. Sometimes we do need to shut down the noise that comes from the social media, media and the social groups and do what you want. Without the influence of the outside.
I wish to have that kind of ignorance when I am writing, creating something new and developing my ideas for the business. It’s hard surprisingly to be on your own and come up with stuff. However, it’s a process through which you become an interesting being. Maybe that’s why we are called human beings. We should be able to just be and give.
