Few
days ago, I called up a friend. Her husband answered the phone. On asking about
my friend, he told me that she is disappointed with me and is not interested in
talking to me. He said that she believes I consider myself superior to her.
I
was shocked to hear this as it was not easy for me to take. I began
introspecting and probing to myself, if I was actually what I am blamed for. I
usually stay connected with my pals. Also, I never considered myself superior
to any friend ever.
I
was really concerned, so I decided to meet her in personal and ask her to
explain me in detail that what led her to believe this way. What she told me
really surprised me. I christened that feeling of hers towards me as ‘Digital Ego’.
She
complained that during the last few months, I never "Liked" her posts
on Facebook, and Instagram. I never appreciated her efforts of forwarding the
posts on "WhatsApp".
All
these things made her believe that I had developed a superiority complex. I
recalled and realized, I had considerably reduced my presence on social media
as I was occupied in accomplishing the tasks assigned to me.
I couldn’t
get a clue of this discovery, but add on suddenly brought a ray of smile on my
face. I didn’t google it for the apt meaning nor referred to Webster since the
word was my baby. Anyways, "Digital Ego", for me, is the Ego
influenced by our digital activity using tools like Facebook, Instagram,
twitter etc. Isn’t it exciting and worth pondering!!!!
With
the introduction of Internet and phones, our reel lives have become sunny, but
our real life has lost its shine. Our friends and relatives feel offended if
their post or pictures are not liked or commented and perhaps develop more
respect for you, if they find you liking or commenting their
post.
I think our society has undergone a tremendous change. We are always over concerned
of the speed of INTERNET but have forgotten about INNERNET which
is the need of the time. Our real world relationships are being guided by our
digital ego. We lack in the signals of Innernet. Let them become strong so that
digital ego finds no room in our lives. Perhaps if we don't change, we will lose
whatever real world relationships we have.
Mr. Harsh Vardhan Tyagi
I.T. Department,
I.T. Department,
GD GOENKA SCHOOL.