Society Is Dead: We Have Retreated into the iWorld

In “Society is Dead: We Have Retreated into the iWorld”, Andrew Sullivan discusses the negative aspects of technology - most of society has become isolated and narrow. Headphones allow people to get lost in their own music and enveloped in their own social media. They move without a care to who they are walking alongside or passing on the street. Sullivan says that “technology has given us a universe entirely for ourselves-where the serendipity of meeting a new stranger, hearing a piece of music we would never choose for ourselves or an opinion that might force us to change our mind about something are effectively banished” (Argument! 279). He encourages people to take out their headphones and enjoy the world.

           

Amen to that.

Technology has become a way to strip the world of vulnerability. This is because being vulnerable means leaving your heart open to attack. That is scary. So, we can combat the fear of being rejected, or the uncomfortable-ness of an “awkward silence” by whipping out the cell phone. It puts up a wall between the outside world, telling them that you are content with your inside circle of friends (whether it is true or not). Like Andrew Sullivan said, it allows people to “just tune in and tune out” (Argument! 279). Because of this, Sullivan encourages people to take out their ear buds, turn off their twitter, and enjoy the world.

But when you turn off your music, what are you going to find? You will find everyone still immersed in social media and technology, like Sullivan did. For you to be able to have a conversation and smile at someone on your bus, they have to be paying attention, too. In other words, Sullivan is implying that everyone must retreat from the iWorld in order for society to be revived.

This is not likely. It is a fantastic plea, and I believe it can be done to some extent. However, technology is continually advancing; it is becoming more and more difficult to not use social media. In fact, statistics from 2013 show that 91% of everyone on earth had a mobile phone, 56% of all people owning a smart phone. This shows how much Apple has even advanced since this article – everyone was using iPods. Now, you would see people surfing the web on their iPhones while listening to their music.

Instead of trying to fight the technology, let’s encourage it.

What if, instead of using technology to cover up vulnerability, we actually used it to take a chance and reach out to others? If the entire world is using social media, what better way to reach them?

A simple encouraging text could make someone’s day. After meeting someone at a social event, FaceBook them and let them know it was great to meet them. Instead of making social media a place to only follow people who have the same opinions, we could use it to let people know that they are cared for and they are seen – even when their headphones are in.

But wait – don’t people have headphones in to escape reality?

Yes, but usually the escape from reality is because they have been hurt, or they have a fear of being hurt.

I agree with Sullivan in that the ear buds need to come out for a little while. A person cannot meet others if they are only focused on their cell phone.

But then, once you have left the social setting, you can put your tunes back in and send that text. Of course, one must be careful with their words and who they send it to. I am not advocating for a society of “creepers”; I am advocating for a society who reaches out to others in person, and then follows up the relationships with social media and technology.

Use the iWorld to build relationships and reach out.

Do it.

I dare you.