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Disillusioned

by Sneha Subramanian Kanta
(Mumbai, India)

Cartoon child glued to computer

Cartoon child glued to computer

As far as I remember, I had always been a 'happy' loner since my school days. The reason I mention 'happy' is because most people have a connotation of a loner being sad, morose and always depressed...I'm far from that.


Today while coming back from the supermarket, I realized how disillusioned I was getting with the world around me. Well, I would not go on and rant about how I've been feeling and why, rather; some anecdotes from my side would express how I feel.

You know you live in the postmodern 2010 world when-

- People ask you if you are on facebook before even asking for your number

- Your local sabziwala is replaced by the cropping profit-driven malls and supermarkets

- Women and men sitting in the same car ignore each other and are drowned in gizmos and gadgets

- When picnics and spending time with nature does not allure you anymore

- People around you seem like they have only masks, no human faces or sentiments

- When your child asks you which mall manufactures the milk

- Teachers ask students to 'create' a project on the computer...no chart paper, no sketch pens, no pencils and no fevicol

- The postman is seen once in a bluemoon only, if you are lucky

- The idea of cartoons are characters that talk in slang language and abuse freely

- One socializes through the internet


I do not mean to say that one should not move towards the path of progress...but if that translates into losing what we once glorified and what meant so dear to us, I seriously see myself questioning where the world is coming to


The End

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Dec 07, 2011
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starstarstarstar 		Very well said
by: Sneha

You're feedback is immensely thought-provoking, Radha. Thank you. Would be good to see you writing more on this e-mag. I thoroughly enjoyed your anecdote in the 'Turning Point' section. Thank you for your words!
Dec 06, 2011
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starstarstar 		Worth More than a Passing Thought
by: Radha Bantwal

Some truths need to be repeated often, lest we overlook them. Good article, Sneha - your thoughts have provoked several comments to chew on. Now I'm adding my two bits :)

Man-machine conflict has been around for a long time. I bet the horse-carriage riders must have had serious doubts about the early motor vehicles! In our times, the speed of change is so rapid that we have less time to absorb and adjust. Kids who didn't know the 'old ways' seem to be quite at ease with modern technology. But, as more than one commentator said, losing touch with nature and physical proximity with ones fellow humans is a serious matter.
Dec 05, 2011
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starstarstarstar 		Thank you
by: Sneha

Absolutely, Sonal. That's what my point is. I still miss having a contemporary poet or writer especially in India who evokes through nature. Thank you for reading.
Dec 05, 2011
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starstarstarstar 		Thank you
by: Sneha

Absolutely, Sonal. That's what my point is. I still miss having a contemporary poet or writer especially in India who evokes through nature. Thank you for reading.
Dec 05, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Disturbing truth
by: Sonal

You are right, Sneha. Alienation due to excessive technological intrusion is indeed disturbing.People are losing the common touch.
One must use technology without letting it dominate the personal space.
Dec 04, 2011
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starstarstarstar 		Thank you
by: Sneha

Please write your name henceforth while commenting, anonymous. Well, you should look up the Theory on the 'Critique of technology'. Its an amalgam of how we've so moved away from nature...it almost has eradicated the plausible of having a path of progress through nature and what was. No reminiscing with the past; at the same time, one should not move so ahead that one forgets ones roots. That's all I intend to say. Thanks for commenting.
Dec 04, 2011
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starstarstarstar 		Thank you so much
by: Sneha

Thank you Mohit, for reading and sharing your feedback. Your views matter a lot to me.
Dec 04, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Hey
by: Anonymous

Although I'm fascinated by Marxism, this so-called replacement of humanity with technology doesn't seem to bother me. I agree that there's no substitute for a hug or a kiss, and I doubt that anyone questions this fact. If one thinks about this phenomenon from a democratic transhumanist perspective, we are gradually moving towards a society that embraces the man-machine dichotomy as normal and proceeds accordingly.People are just fascinated by gadgets now, entranced rather. They'll get over it soon enough. Somehow I am not too drawn to Luddism. Besides, if we are moving away from each other, I think it's more a greed for money and a posh lifestyle that's responsible for it. And this was surely true even pre-Industrial Revolution. Nevertheless, the point about nature is something that I am deeply concerned about. But good write-up anyway!
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By Admin
Dec 04, 2011
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starstarstarstar 		Today's Reality
by: mohit

Very rightly said sneha. This is today's reality. There's hardly any connection with nature these days. all we have is gadgets around us.
Dec 03, 2011
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starstarstarstar 		Thank you for your comment
by: Sneha

Thanks for your feedback, Isabel. I believe that one should be aware of the social structure and the environment one is living in. Change is good; but forgetting humanness isn't.
Dec 03, 2011
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starstarstarstar 		True, Vimala
by: Sneha

You are right, Vimala. Sometimes the alienation and human touch seem so near yet so far...and that's what is disturbing!
Dec 03, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		the "p" & "c" of modernization
by: isabel

by: Geetashree Chatterjee

I agree with you. This is perhaps what human alienation is all about...moving away from each other and over dependence on machine and automation. Very apt and to-the-point
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I believe in what you've mentioned that human interactions happens mostly in the internet... It's so convenient just to send messages via e-mail or fb and can still do a lot of things without being kidnapped by a phone conversation. I guess living and working in a cyber and bustling city makes one adapt 100% without even noticing the metamorphosis.
Dec 03, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		disillusioned
by: vimala

Yes, we do feel that the present generation is missing on something. But it is also true that what one never knew about, one never misses.
Dec 03, 2011
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starstarstarstar 		Thank You
by: Sneha

Thank you so much, Geetashree. You seemed to have understood the vibe. I did not want to go on a complaining spree, but put things that disturb me as matter-of-fact.
Dec 03, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Very apt...
by: Geetashree Chatterjee

I agree with you. This is perhaps what human alienation is all about...moving away from each other and over dependence on machine and automation. Very apt and to-the-point summation.

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