The Birth of internet fatigue

The birth edition,  Issue 02

 

 

Text by: Trudy Darmanin

When was the last time you used BRB in an online convo? MSN circa 2014? What’s happened since then?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, quite frankly, a lot – but let’s just spotlight the fact that your connection to the online world has transformed from a bulky cabled PC to a tiny weightless mobile phone, where you’re now, connected, available, chatting, all the time.

ALL. THE. TIME.

 

First things first, let’s not be total grumpy cats, and appreciate that this is pretty much fucking magic. I can be anywhere and whizz a photo of the cupcake I’m about to devour to anyone I please for 0.2 seconds of my time, all while making plans for tomorrow with 20 people in one chat. In real time. With GIFs. Fucking magic.

 

ALL. THE. TIME.

 

This is where it gets a bit concerning – and it’s perhaps felt by more people since pandemic times, where our only connection to our friends was that little phone. The constant chats, emails, social media and notifications are demanding more of our time and energy than ever before, where checking and replying to all of these things has somehow grown into an uncomfortable feeling of obligation rather than the pleasure of communicating with people you care about. This little rectangle in our pockets pings and vibrates and it’s easier said than done to ignore that without some effort, because we’re always curious about who it might be that needs us, and how urgently.

 

And we fall into this trap, and we check the notification, anytime. There’s no BRBs anymore, we’re available all the time.

 

Some of us (somehow, kudos to you guys) have really not been influenced by this and can ignore their phone for days without mindfully willing themselves to do so. Those of us at the other end of the spectrum, well, we’re getting a little frazzled. Our pool of energy which should be dedicated to ourselves gets nibbled away with every reply and ping, and it’s super exhausting sometimes. Ignoring them? Even more so.

 

Besides a million articles online with practical tips to switch off, set boundaries and all that, I don’t believe anyone has really come up with a comfortable way of dealing with this themselves. On the other hand, acknowledging that our own texts and emails may be causing this discomfort to someone feels a little crap, and that’s something we can control much more easily. If we get this into our mindset, the collective result of our actions can actually influence something. 

 

I’ll just leave off with a little note from a writer called Yung Pueblo, which has resonated with me and pushed me to really think about all the above. 

 

“Let’s stop treating each other like machines. It is okay if someone does not reply immediately to your email. Do not expect quick replies to every text message. The internet and social media have sharply increased the demands on your personal energy. Be human and take your time.”

 

The Ecstasy Issue

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