Personally, I believe that there is so much hate in this world because people are choosing to connect with technology in place of humans.

I find technology to be the reason that we don’t take the time to connect with others and see them as human beings.  

First, it blocks us from having interactions. Jessica Lin published an article on Medium, averaging her possible amount of interactions in one day. She defines an interaction as “exchanging words with another from something as simple as “good morning” to a full conversation”. Tracking her day, she counts approximately 25 people. That’s 25 lives that she could have an impact on and 25 lives that could have an impact on her. Although, if she instead chose to burry her head in her phone, watch, etc. that would just be 25 missed opportunities to interact, connect and potentially impact/ be impacted by another human being.

A lack of interactions leads to a lack of connections. We hold ourselves back from forming relationships that get us in touch with others emotions as well as ours. Having that disconnect present makes it easier for people to verbally bash and/or physically hurt someone else.

We constantly communicate through technology only and avoid face to face communication (when possible). When we bury our faces into our phones and tablets, we allow ourselves to miss out on the opportunity of getting to know the person standing right next to us. Why talk to the person sitting across from you on the train when you can text your friend who’s miles away, right? Wrong. Get to know that person! See them as more than just a body taking up space and let them see you as more than that as well. 

Emma Seppala, author of “The Happiness Track”, wrote “people who feel more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression. Moreover, studies show they also have higher self-esteem and greater empathy for others”. She explained that “social connectedness generates a positive feedback loop of social, emotional and physical well-being.”

Put in the effort to step out of that comfort zone technology has created and stir up conversation with the ones you’re surrounded by. This is a time for you to learn the stories that fill up the bodies surrounding you and allow a story to be learned about you as well. If we took the time to do this instead of sinking our heads into whatever form of tech we have in our hands, we would possibly grow to have more love and appreciation for strangers and maybe wouldn’t be able to harm them so easily.

A sociological review found on Sage Journals reports an increase in loneliness, isolation and alienation. This could be a result of our societal decline of social connectedness, says Dr. Seppala. Whether or not this decline stems from our technological advancements, I do not know, but I would like to link the two using the knowledge I have gained from personal experience and analyzations of others.

And finally, I want to remind you of the effects of physical interaction. Physical interaction is one of the simplest ways to emotionally connect with someone, understand them and see them as human. Think about when someone taps you slightly or puts their hand somewhere on your body. You feel their energy go through you. How about when you’re crammed in a train car or a taxi and your knees touch the person next you? Such subtle forms of interaction, but you feel it. This is generated from the release of oxytocin which creates the feeling of calm and closeness says Carol Rinkleib Ellison, a clinical psychologist in private practice in Loomis, California and former assistant clinical psychiatry professor at the University of California, San Francisco. This hormone gives you a surge of positive emotion through touch, among other other things.

Technology is the future, thats inevitable. Although, I don’t want us to forget what life was like before these technological advancements. We should be able to tell ourselves when to disconnect from the robot that controls us and remember that we are human and so is everyone around us. So think about the possible amount of interactions that you encounter each day. Engage in them further if possible. Release some oxytocin. And generate a positivity loop filled with happiness, empathy and kindness. Build more satisfying relationships. 

Know when it’s necessary to step away from the cold glass surface and engage into something warmer.