Byte-Sized Beginnings: Conscious Consumption in the Digital Age

Siân Maher

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Amidst the whirlwind of technological marvels and digital distractions, emerges the idea of conscious consumption – an urge to mindfully navigate through the digital world as it intertwines with our physical one.

The Theory of Mechanised Evolution

“In order to foresee the future, we must look to the past.”

We’ve all heard of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, which posits humans as descendants of earlier primates and, originally, of apes. In 1859, Darwin published On the Origin of Species during the peak of the Industrial Revolution, a time marked by significant change and upheaval. His suppositions were met with great resistance and hostility in a time of staunch social conservatism. Despite this, Darwin’s observations have become one of modern science’s most stronghold and well-supported theories.

You may question why, when discussing the digitisation of the world and conscious consumption of technology, I am referencing such an age-old notion. The answer is that to foresee the future, we must look to the past. And in the modern-day, it is not far-fetched to contemplate a mechanised evolution on the horizon.

Technological Progress

Technology is an omnipresent force in today’s society, guiding our lives and shaping our interactions. A product of human ingenuity, the exponential rate at which tech is advancing is daunting, to say the least. From the printing press of the Renaissance to the revolutionary steam engine, the ingenious telegraph of the 19th century, and the transformative telephone that followed, each of these enterprises have transformed the way that we move, communicate, and understand the world that we live in.

“The trajectory of progress continues to ascend.”

As time has progressed, so too has tech. The advent of electricity brought about a powerful revolution in industry, medicine, transport and more. The late 20th century saw the dawn of the internet, a watershed moment which paved the way for an era of global connectivity and established the foundation for the modern age of smartphones, social media, virtual realities, and artificial intelligence.

With each innovation building upon its predecessors, the trajectory of progress continues to ascend. Over recent years, though, as we have encountered the true extent to which technology can stretch, an underlying sense of fear has begun to unveil itself. The angst that tech might surpass human progress has overwhelmed many. While these are credible and understandable claims, our superpower lies in the fact that mankind possesses the very ability to feel that unease and discomfort.

Humanity versus Technology

“The essence of humanity is individuality, and it exceeds mere machinery tenfold.”

We too are energetic and electrical beings powered by wires, processors, and motors, but we are conscious and sentient beings. These are what allow for our capacity to love, create, and empathise. The essence of humanity is individuality, and it exceeds mere machinery tenfold. However, the reigning Western narrative of conformity that we are being fed undermines our one true purpose: to experience life and all of its vicissitudes.

If we can learn to utilise technology as the tool that it was intended to be, we should fear no more. Instead of vilifying it, we should embrace the boundless possibilities it offers to enhance our lives and brighten our future.

Conscious Digital Consumption

There is no denying that technology has become an integral and indivisible part of our daily lives. It is, therefore, more important than ever to be mindful of our relationship with it. With mental illnesses and disorders at an all-time high, the argument for conscious consumption has never been more pertinent. As we immerse ourselves in the digital landscape, it is imperative to understand the impacts on our mental and physical well-being.

The constant blue-light exposure that our electronic devices emit has been clinically proven to interfere with the production of the sleep hormone melatonin and disrupt our circadian rhythm. Excessive screen time and digital consumption have also been found to have direct links with increased stress, anxiety, and depression.

“We no longer live in the real world. We are occupying a sort of in-between hybrid domain”

The relentless flow of information that the digital world allows for can lead to a distorted sense of reality; perhaps because we no longer live in the real world. We are occupying a sort of in-between hybrid domain, the intersection between digitality and actuality, where the boundaries of the virtual and the tangible blur. Though this might give rise to a new era of interconnected experiences, we must also strive to separate the two at times and consume consciously.

Embracing the concept of conscious consumption is not about rejecting technology; instead, it is about using it thoughtfully and intentionally to improve our lives and safeguard our mental and physical health.

Evolving with Technology

Just as Darwin observed humans evolving in response to changing environments, the modern human must resolve to adapt to the ever-changing virtual realm. By reviewing historical shifts in human nature and behaviour, we can better navigate both the opportunities and limitations that arise with new technology. As we contemplate the potential of robotics in the next stage of evolution, we must approach it with the same consciousness and mindfulness that Darwin’s theory inspired.

“We must find a way to coexist in harmony with machines.”

With the sudden onset of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the very cognisant individuality that humans possess is under threat. But AI is exactly what it says on the tin: artificial. It cannot think or create freely, and, until it does, the threat of a guerrilla war on the human mind is at bay. As independent and open-minded thinkers, we must use technology to our advantage. We must find a way to coexist in harmony with machines.

Byte-ing into the Digital Abyss

Let’s be real: our paths may never have crossed if it wasn’t for technology. As I type these words and you read them, we find ourselves connected by the innovation we’re here to scrutinise.

My intention with Byte-ing into the Digital Abyss is not to negate the power of technology. Instead, I want to unearth the consequences that lie in its wake. In this column, we embark on a quest for understanding.

This is a call to embrace conscious consumption in our digital journey: to savour each pixel and byte with intention. It is an invitation to tread thoughtfully and to rekindle our connection with the tangible aspects of life.

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• THE RISE OF AI AND THE FUTURE OF THE WORKING CLASS

• THE DANGERS OF AI IN PORNOGRAPHY

• WHAT I EAT IN A DAY: INSPIRING OR HARMFUL?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Featured image courtesy of geralt on Pixabay. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.