"Somewhere along the way, we started trading discovery for algorithms. Convenience for isolation. Real connection for likes. This isn't about being against tech. Just about being human while everyting tries to makes us forget"_____Generated by ChatGPT, unexpectedly human

1. The Erosion of Real Relationships

• I catch myself doing it—replying to messages while someone’s talking to me, checking something “quickly” during dinner, nodding while reading a screen.

• It doesn’t mean I don’t care. But still, something gets lost. That feeling of being fully with someone.

• It’s not always dramatic—just small fractures in attention that slowly make closeness feel optional (and by the way, it annoys me so much when someone does it to me).

• Something I'm re-learnng: letting people feel they have my attention—especially the ones I’d never want to lose.

2. Education and Thought Quality

• I mean… there’s so much out there. Articles, podcasts, threads, explainers. I can find answers to almost anything in seconds.

• And yet, I don’t always feel wiser. Sometimes I just feel... full.

• I tend to skim headlines. I save things I never go back to. And I forget things quickly when I never really slowed down to absorb them.

• It seems like it’s not about access anymore. But once we have it, what do we do with it?

• What I’ve started to practice: keep staying curious, but reading slower, and letting ideas settle before I move on to the next thing.

3. Childhood and Development

• Honestly, some screen time has helped my kid—new words, stories, creative tools. So no, I don’t think screens are the villain.

• But then I see other kids scrolling through short videos for hours, barely blinking. And I wonder—how does that shape them?

• I’ve noticed that it’s not just the screen—it’s what’s on it, how often, and whether someone’s paying attention to what they watch.

• Something I've learned: Nobody teaches you how to be a parent, but being present matters more than being perfect. Especially when they’re absorbing more than we realize.

4. Dopamine High and Inner Reward Systems

• I used to feel satisfied just going for a run. Or reading. Or even doing nothing.

• Now? If my phone buzzes mid-walk, it’s like part of my brain shifts instantly. I check without thinking.

• I don’t blame the phone. It’s on me. But still—those quick hits train me to expect something… all the time.

• And when they stop, it’s like silence gets uncomfortable.

• A shift I’ve committed to: taking my time to reply, letting joy come slower again, and noticing the moments that feel good.

5. Being present vs performing

• I’ve noticed how much online behavior sneaks into real life—interrupting, reacting fast, finishing people’s thoughts.

• There’s this subtle shift where being fast replaces being thoughtful, and we don’t even realize it.

• And then I ask myself: am I still showing up the way I’d want someone to show up for me?

• Because in the end, the kind of person I am offline is still the one that matters most.

• Something I’ve been trying to stick to: giving people more presence than performance.

6. Digital Etiquette & Common Sense

• I don’t always reply. And I rarely comment.

• But I’ve seen people post things they’d never say in person. And I’ve done it too—typed things I wouldn’t have the courage to speak.

• There’s something about the screen that lowers the bar for kindness. Maybe the urge to be seen?

• I’ve been wondering: how do I make sure my online voice still sounds like me?

7. My Balance

• Yes, technology opens doors. I’ve learned from it, connected through it, and even been comforted by it.

• But then there are days when I look up and realize I’ve gone hours switching between apps—without really doing anything.

• It’s not that tech is bad. It’s that it’s good enough to keep me from asking: what else could I have done with this time?

• Something I’ve learned to live with: letting tech support what matters—not distract me from it.

8. The Illusion of Authority

• Sometimes I catch myself trusting someone just because they say it confidently. Or because their video has millions of views.

• There are influencers out there giving health advice, financial advice, relationship advice—and they might not know much more than anyone else.

• Popular doesn’t mean credible.

• And yet, the more often we hear something, the more true it starts to feel.

• A habit I’m trying to build: pausing before I believe something—especially when it feels too easy to agree with.

9. Mental Health and the Fragile Self

• For some kids, the internet is a lifeline. A place to feel seen, or not alone.

• But for others, it’s where comparisons never stop. Where comments cut deep. Where silence feels like rejection.

• The numbers are there—rising anxiety, more depression, even suicides. Tech isn’t the only reason—but it’s hard to say it plays no role.

• I don’t have the answer. But I do believe kids need anchors—things that don’t flicker on a screen.

• What I am trying to do: give my kid more real-world experiences—travel, music, curiosity, connection...and space to struggle a little too. Things he can touch and carry with him, even when the noise gets loud.

10. The Disappearance of Doubt

• Online, confidence sells. Certainty gets shared. And doubt? It often looks like weakness.

• But honestly, most of the people I admire carry some form of “I might be wrong” in the way they move through the world.

• Doubt isn’t failure. It’s a sign of thinking and caring. Of not rushing to the first easy answer.

• I’ve started noticing how quickly I want to sound sure—even when I’m not.

• A place I return to: the idea that it’s okay to pause. To ask. To not know. That’s where growth usually begins.

I didn’t expect technology to change how I relate to people. Not really. But somehow—quietly, subtly—it did. A little less patience. A little less presence. A little more distance, even with the people I care about most. And if that sounds familiar to you too, then I’m glad I put it down.