Change in social fabric leads to arrogance

 

 

 

We the senior citizens must be thanking ourselves for evolving gradually from a very slow to the present fast paced life. Music for us then, was listening to the radio, visuals were black and white treat on Doordarshan or on single screen theatres, chats meant sitting on the katta, distant communication was through STD booths or telegrams, transport was either ST buses or bicycles, playing was with real friends on playgrounds. Board games like playing chess or cards or reading books was the usual past-time. We lived in strict joint families where peace and harmony existed amongst members. We lived thriftily but life was simple because the choices were limited. We gradually witnessed progress from zero technology to the boom in digital world. Our children and grandchildren on the contrary began their life in nuclear families, with exposure to the digital world and social media. Life became complicated, complex, confused, time consuming and busy since they were exposed to innumerable choices and fast solutions, difficult for their small brains to fathom.

 

Mrs Aasawari Shenolikar in her regular hilarious Sunday column ‘In Jest’ Mind your Ps and Qs has rightly pointed out the rise in the uncivilised and uncouth society. Speeding, breaking traffic rules, honking, listening to loud music, abusing or using fowl language, disrespect for fellow travellers etc all are being rampantly witnessed. We see public arguments or confrontations on issues which can be resolved calmly. People may be forgetting their Ps and Qs due to social norms, technology and lifestyle pressures. Insecurity, impatience, intolerance, frustration, anger, anxiety and arrogance is seen frequently. As people become isolated or have fewer supportive relatives, they become more stressed and less empathetic and understanding. Preoccupied in their own world with their heads constantly buried inside their cell phones, courtesies take a backfoot. As more time is spent online and less in personal interactions, they lose touch with normal social cues. In the world of instant delivery and instant responses on social media the entire generation from teens to the early forties is becoming impatient, fidgety and nervous. They always seem to be in a hurry and can quickly become frustrated if things do not happen instantly.

 

Conversation skills are reduced to yeahs and nopes. Texting in form of slang or brief informal language is cool, making them forget politeness they would typically use in personal interactions. Constant comparison with peers drives them to achieve things quickly bringing in a sense of urgency in all aspects of life. Fear of missing out (FOMO) makes them anxious gluing them constantly on social media to stay updated. Activities that naturally teach patience like reading books, (stressed always by Mr Vijay Phanshikar) playing board games or cards are replaced by fast paced highly engaging digital games. How many children sit in a group and play cards? How many sit patiently and enjoy the lyrics of a song? Hardly any.While these tendencies may seem frustrating, they are the result of modern influences rather than an inherent flaw in the young generation. Parents must increase family time limiting the screen time encouraging appropriate behaviour. Practicing mindfulness, patience, outdoor games and embracing activities that increase conversational and coping skills can help balance these effects. There is still a ray of hope.