What categorizes society today is the way everything is instant, from messages to meals to transportation and entertainment. Technology plays a key factor in this because now life is faster and more efficient than it was before. This style of life is very different from how it was, say 50 years ago, so that truly sparks the question as to what this does to society. The truth is, it has reshaped the way we see, think, feel and interact on a day-to-day basis. Now there are endless streams of information and our attention spans are getting shorter. While we’ve gained speed and efficiency, we may be sacrificing focus, depth and even meaningful connection.
Technology has reshaped people’s expectations by giving instant gratification. People expect things to arrive instantly whether it’s replying to a message or watching multiple videos on social media in under one minute, online shopping or watching the next episode of a show. This all feeds into a cycle of giving instant rewards without having to wait. This plays into the psychological factor of our brain’s dopamine system which craves quick, good moments. Over time, this instant gratification leads to less patience and less tolerance for delays. In turn, this makes society crave the “right now” over long-term satisfaction.
This pressure of instant gratification can make people feel like waiting in lines, for a package to arrive or for work to be done seems really tedious. “I find myself relying more on quick answers because it helps me work faster and actually have a general knowledge before going deeper. I think it hasn’t really affected my learning as I still take the time to deeply understand the topic at one point.” Said sophomore Rebecca Wanna. This is a dilemma many students deal with because It is so easy to conform with fast access to information but you have to choose to have that moment of deep study to not fall into that fast and easy cycle granted by modern-day technology.
This lack of patience may not seem like much of an issue but over time it can really start to take a toll when this impatience can lead people not to finish any long-term engagements whether personal or professional. Expecting to click right away or speeding up relationships and not taking the time to do anything can even affect interactions because the results are not instantaneous as advertised on media platforms and movies/ shows that give fast, unrealistic standards. This results in a superficial approach to social interaction, where the depth of connection is sacrificed for the appearance of connection. Real relationships take actual time to develop, yet the constant speed of digital interactions can leave people feeling unsatisfied and disconnected.
The constant demand for instant results can lead to lessened emotional resilience as well as heightened impatience and anxiety when it all stems from unrealistic standards that society has created that people are now fixated on and expecting. This can lead to pressure to always have to be on top of things which can take a toll and lead to feelings of inadequacy when perfect successful lives are always being advertised daily. This exposure to instant constant success can impact our ability to manage our emotions effectively, leaving us feeling drained and disconnected.
This disconnect is felt very strongly by all generations, but some people are being raised on it, such as the new generations which are technology natives and others (older generations) have had to adapt to this which creates a sort of generational and cultural divide. AP U.S. History teacher at The Village School, Elizabeth Murray, has studied patterns throughout history and has noticed this divide. “I think young people are missing out on aspects of social development and the ability to build genuine connections in comparison to previous generations due to their decreased face-to-face interaction with peers. Young people’s perception of reality is often curated on social media leading to issues like low self-esteem, unhealthy social comparison, etc. I think younger people are struggling more and more with attention span as well. They’re constantly entertained and getting superficial dopamine hits through communication technology. I think the younger generation is much lonelier than previous generations because of all of this.”
This thought proves kids growing up in the digital age are conditioned to expect fast responses and constant access to information which really impacts their values and the way they behave. This creates a tension with older generations, who lived at a slower pace and learned to be more patient and present.
This does not mean that adults have not reprogrammed their own brains to adapt to this, as old patterns can be rewritten as allowed by neuroplasticity (refers to the brain’s ability to adapt and change its structure and function in response to internal or external stimuli). It involves the nervous system reorganizing itself to improve or adjust and this is what has happened to many adults and older generations. This is what has led to the hustle culture in the older generations
which has really blurred lines between actually being productive and just always being available.
Technology has created the expectation that we should always be working, always replying and always moving quickly. This can leave little room for creativity, deep work or meaningful thought which can significantly reduce the quality of our output. Unfortunately, what may seem like progress to some is just an illusion of constantly being busy. This fast-paced cycle leaves little room to stop and leaves real room for deep thoughts and meaningful work.
This raises a question as to how society can go back to depth focus and patience or if it is simply too late to go back. The truth is that it is not too late; it is just time to do what has always been done, but this must be done correctly. In fact, many people have started realizing the need to balance a fast-paced lifestyle with practices that encourage mindfulness and awareness that give life more emotional depth.
https://unsplash.com/photos/group-of-people-walking-on-pedestrian-lane-PMxT0XtQ–A
Instant Gratification & Its Dark Side
Bucknell University
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