It was an early morning message which activated my sub conscious mind and I went into retrogressive mode. The message was shared on social media and had two words “Happy Anniversary”. Fairly simple but carries a lot of weight, isn’t it? But what had prompted my contact to share this very private message in the public domain? Analysis started and the chain of events took me few years back when this recently digitized couple were facing strained relationship and were at the brink of breaking up. The message further read, “You are my life “. I immediately called up the lady and congratulated on her marriage anniversary and also hesitantly requested her to make me speak to her husband. The man was sitting next to her and during the conversation proudly exhibited his online presence by giving occasional reference to his activities on social media. The conversation came to an abrupt end when I was forced to realize by the internet obsessed male that phone calls and physical meetings were thing of the past and individuals were now comfortable in interacting only through online media.
The lady of the house had chosen to exhibit her emotions through social media though her man was sitting right next to her. For me, the message was clear that their relationship had become stronger over the years and the outside world had acknowledged this by the number of likes they had showered on the post shared on social media. However, my understanding of the entire situation got a break when I came to know from different quarters that all is not well between the couple and they are living separately under one roof.
Exaggeration of personal lives on social media platforms has become a new norm which is widening the gap between the real and the virtual world. Amplification of our existence in the virtual world has compelled us to spin a web of lies around us which could become an open secret if at all physical contact is made with the real world.
No doubt broken relationships and marriages are being renewed on social media but it is being done at the cost of creating a sense of fragmented relationships for those who are new to this parallel universe.
Gone are the days where personal touch was given to any celebration by visiting the person physically and getting involved in the joyous moment or by giving a phone call and exchanging pleasantries. Even condolences are being offered through instant messaging services where a single word of sympathy which is expressed personally could give extra courage to the bereaved family. In my opinion, this has taken a backseat as any indulgence or mixing up shall open a Pandora box which would be hard to manage.
Not only relationships but the family excursions are taken up to exhibit the touch points rather than utilizing them to rejuvenate. A foreign tour is taken up just to get clicked and share it as click bait for those who are always keen to register their liking for the event. For these web mongers, the amount of joy and solace after receiving these likes on social media justifies the value of the trip and they are prompted to repeat it just for the sake of receiving an acknowledgment from their virtual counterparts.
Being a citizen of a country which is known for its strong religious and cultural values, it’s imperative that we would be the last one to be effected by any distortion in the value system but that can happen only if we stick to our basics and pursue our lives which is based on truth and commitment. Get “Back to your Basics” and invite your friends, relatives and loved ones to be with you physically and enjoy the warmth of their presence.
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