A. L. CHOUGULE speaks to medical experts to find out the ills of modern technology and its impact on interpersonal relationships and communication between old and new generations.
Time was when the world was gracious and full of niceties, till technology came into play in a big way. Once it did, it almost did in the old ways and niceties of life besides adversely affecting interpersonal interaction and relationships. People now text, connect and greet each other on What’sApp, email birthday cards and send festival greetings and anniversary best wishes on various apps. What’s more, even wedding invitations are sent via snap-chat. That’s not all, people don’t talk as much as they did in past; these days they chat more and spend time on gadgets. Travel by public transport and it is a common sight to find people busy chatting, texting, listening to music or browsing on cell phones and tablets.
It’s not that people are out of touch with relatives and friends, but what has taken a hit is personal touch of olden days. In good ole days, people used to visit relatives and friends regularly without informing. Visits used to be moments of joy and happiness for both, the host and guest; without realizing each visit would last for a couple of hours over lunch or dinner. Today prior intimation of visit is an accepted norm. While the guest double checks whether the host has any other important commitment, the host makes sure whether the visitor would stay back for meal or not. Lack of warmth is often conspicuous by its absence. What’s often visible is stress in body language of both.
While family ties have hit a new low in many urban homes, there is meaningful communication gap between the old and new generations as old wisdom and ways of life have little importance for the young. Time was when just one landline connection was more than enough for the entire family to stay in touch with near and dear ones. Today in a family of four, there are as many cell phones, but none feels connected as much as people did before.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the lives of children, teens and young adults’ move around cell phones, computers/internet and television. What has gone out of window are outdoor physical activities and meaningful interaction.Acc
ording to medical experts, idle lifestyle and fixation to technology and television has robbed people of good health, happiness and peace of mind, leading to various lifestyle diseases.
“Obesity, high blood pressure, anxiety, stress, depression, diabetes and feeling of loneliness and isolation are all results of modern unhealthy lifestyles and excessive use of technology. Disconnect between old and young generation is also a cause of psychological and other health related issues to both. Even confidence level is decreasing and interpersonal family issues are rising,” says Dr. Harish Bedekar, a Mumbai-based psychiatrist and visiting consultant at Holy Spirit Hospital.
If the old adage, ‘don’t worry, be happy’, was to be truly practical, it would have ensured happiness to all. If money and gadgets were enough for happiness and contentment, wealth and technology would have easily ensured happiness for all. But research however, proves otherwise. Income levels in Europe and North America have risen steadily since the 70s but happiness levels have not improved. In the US they have actually fallen. In urban India too, happiness index is on the decline.
Utopians established the basic goal a society should aim for as ‘the greatest happiness for the greatest number’. But the creation of happiness, collective or individual, remains elusive. Psychologists have struggled for ages to define the elements that provide happiness. In his book ‘The Art of Happiness’ Dalai Lama emphasized that religious belief and practice are not prerequisites for attaining happiness. In fact, people seek religious solace when they are in crisis. Faith in God does lift the spirit but does not provide long-term happiness for souls in distress.
If money doesn’t buy and religion doesn’t ensure happiness then what does? A University of Illinois study found that the most common characteristic among those with the highest levels of happiness was strong ties to friends and families. Other factors were romance, a happy marriage, a rewarding job, an enjoyable hobby, love for nature, a good relationship, healthy friendship and acts of kindness. The value of connecting with family and friends seems to be the most significant.
However, the most significant characteristic required to attain happiness – strong ties with family and friends – is on the decline. People may have a financially rewarding job but it comes with lot of stress and fatigue to have an enjoyable hobby and nurture healthy relationship. People love nature and natural places of beauty but seem to have little time to enjoy nature’s bounties. People do pray but often prayers are said as matter of duty. Ironically, as the saying goes, nature’s clock runs on time – sunrise and sunset never take place even a second late – but man is always in a hurry and often late.
Early to bed and early to rise keeps man healthy and happy. “But late nights, excessive chatting and talking at a time when one should be fast asleep slowly takea toll on body, leading to lethargy, lack of concentration, irritability, bad temper and impatience,” says clinical psychologist Seema Shah. Though the ill effects of technology and its manifestations in psychological and physical issues are a cause of concern for medical experts, Dr. Bedekar is not unduly worried. He explains, “Anything in excess and its misuse is harmful. But nature takes its own course and corrects itself. Genetic disposition ensures adaptability and survival against odds.”
Technology has huge positives; but there are negatives too. Apart from the positives that cannot be discounted, the negatives cannot be ignored either. All’s not well seems to be the case with most users of modern computer and mobile technology.
