Plugged In?
- Human.T
- Oct 13
- 2 min read
Reading time : 5 mins
'I'm trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it.'
Morpheus – The Matrix
Interestingly, much like the premise of the Matrix suggests, humanity’s collective increase in devise usage has not enriched our connectivity or ability. On the contrary, it has led us down a path of subservience and reliance upon the technology.
Over the last 30 years we have plugged in more, but ironically become less plugged in. Statista[1] indicates that as of February 2025, there were roughly 17.4 billion short-range IoT devices connected to the internet, and additionally 8.65 billion phones. Such a revolution in devise usage is perhaps only paralleled by some of the most significant revolutions in human history, such as the Industrial Revolution and the Meiji Revolution. Since the integrated circuit has been manufactured for widespread use, the adoption of devices has monopolised our world.
As our focus is captivated by the content we consume, our ability to be maintained and connected to real-world and historical events is diminished. As a result, we find ourselves less plugged in with what is real, and what has shaped us.
An article on sciencenewstoday points to the rewiring of our brains to the extent that we are essentially changing into a new type of human, albeit one not as capable, and not as fulfilled or happy.
‘We scroll, swipe, tap. Each flicker of glass and light promises novelty, pleasure, connection. Yet many of us feel our minds fragmenting, our ability to concentrate slipping like water through our fingers.’ [2]
The challenge and response comes in setting healthy boundaries and maintaining habits which will break the chain of constant dopamine addiction and bondage.
Arguably, and sadly, a generation has been somewhat lost in the mire of smartphone and device usage, with their imagination and creative functions torn away. The aim now surely, is to ensure that it does not impact future generations as dramatically.
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