Unplugged and alive: Reclaiming life in the age of instant gratification

Albert Einstein, the renowned scientist and genius, once remarked, "I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots." This statement is a testament to our present reality, where we are more connected and technologically advanced than ever before, yet paradoxically, we may be among the unhappiest generations to have ever lived.

- SAAHAS GUJRAL

This scenario eerily echoes the dystopian world depicted in the animated film "WALL-E," where humans, rendered useless by excessive technology use, are glued to their devices as everything is served to them on a platter. This lifestyle has led to physical deterioration and emotional emptiness. Similarly, the great author Aldous Huxley, in his novel "Brave New World," envisioned a dystopian society where people, in their pursuit of pleasure, become addicted to a drug called SOMA.

Comparably, our devices offer quick fixes and endless distractions, pulling us away from deeper, more fulfilling pursuits. In our hyperconnected world, we've become slaves to instant gratification, constantly tethered to our smartphones. This digital addiction resembles Huxley's dystopian vision, where meaningful experiences are replaced by shallow pleasures.

As Huxley wrote, "The SOMA habit was not the escape of an individual; it was a political institution, the very essence of the Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness guaranteed by the Bill of Rights."

Neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky has shed light on this phenomenon, explaining that our brains are wired to seek gratification, releasing dopamine in the process. Intriguingly, experiments have shown that the anticipation of gratification often releases more dopamine than the actual event. This explains why we often feel empty after achieving a long-awaited goal or purchasing that coveted designer bag we've been saving for.

The younger generation seems to be living in a kind of simulated reality, having forgotten how to truly live in the moment.