ViV Magazine Volume 4 (April - May 2014) ViV Magazine Volume 4 (April - May 2014) | Page 54

Chocolate Eggstagrams
Social Media

Of all the sacrifices people make during Lent, the
newest trend is sure to keep profits high in every chocolate
store, throughout the season. Could there be something more
addicting than cocoa truffles? Sure. Social media.

For readers currently on this particular fast, allow us to
satisfy your curiosity: Students are posting statuses about finals;
#TurntUp is trending on twitter; that couple you thought was
meant to be has started a very public war on Facebook; haters
are hating; lovers are loving; and that person always posting
pictures of their perfect “Instagram” life is still there, reminding
you that yours needs an upgrade - nothing has changed.

Here’s what is changing: productivity at work is rocketing, company employees have found the solution to a problem they had been tackling for months, couples have felt the
flicker or their long lost spark, and mothers have actually enjoyed their children’s company instead of just posting a picture
to say they did. Humans who have disconnected from social
media have slowly come out of their shell and embraced real
connections. They are discovering life beyond the Matrix: their
real, neglected, fixer-upper lives.

The first days are tough. You stare at the ceiling, wander around the house and probably start watching too much TV.
“What now?” You wonder “I have so much time.” You clean the
closet, change the oil in your car, change that broken light bulb.
But none of that is enough. You are still bored out of your mind.
Then it hits you: you have not seen your friends in 4 days - you
are not bored, you’re lonely. Being constantly exposed to our
friends’ pictures, thoughts and latest news acts as a substitute for
human interaction. Interaction minus interaction. Knowing everything about the person relieves the desire to call or message.
And if by some miracle you do, the conversation goes like this: -I
have a new job!
- Congrats, but I know! By the way I dyed my hair!
- Yes, I saw your new pictures. Did I tell you about my trip?
- The album on Facebook was gorgeous.
*awkward silence*
- So... what else is new?

Nothing. Nothing is ever new, because if it had been
important, it would have been posted. We feed on these little
snippets of information as if they were coated in the finest cocoa. Little chocolate “eggstagrams” and truffle “tweet” to stuff in
our hungry mouths.

Without discrediting the powerful tool that social
media can be, the prioritization of face to face interaction as
opposed to digital will make the difference. Despite ridiculous
advancements in technology, human connections still dictate
the opportunities that will spring up throughout your life. Do
not mistake me, people are not platforms for progress, they are
gentle pushes that guide your steps towards a different version
of yourself.

This can be hard, being so anchored in our routine: The
first thing we do in the morning is scroll. Scroll and absorb. Scroll.

Social media is the tabloid for the masses. But like the
actual tabloids, it doesn’t hurt to once in a while toss it in the
garbage can and go ride a bike.

So...
what else is
new?

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