Social media and a Generation of underachievers

'I fear the day technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.' –Albert Einstein

Social media leads to underachieving in all facets of life. It's ubiquitous influence is found everywhere. 

Do you remember what life was life before social media? Can you remember what life was like before smart phones? These two things, especially when combined, have dramatically impacted our personal social interaction.

We are all susceptible to something that is addicting and we are all creatures of habit (I’m thinking of flappy bird right now). Think about your normal routine and which things distract you. My largest distraction is checking my phone and social media constantly. Not only is it inauspicious but its distracting.(Specifically twitter and instragram tabs open open on my computer at work) There are thousands, maybe even millions, just like me as social media has created a generation of underachievers who are not paying attention to what their supposed to. For the fear that I might grow into some version of a man-child, I am fighting the urge in order to stop the habit.  

How does this impact my life away from social media? I find myself constantly drifting away from normal conversations. Not looking at people in the eyes when talking to them and drifting my attention toward something else (I’m apologizing to my girlfriend right now is she’s reading this).

I think about my day and my life and wonder what I could accomplish if I did actually pay attention to the things I’m supposed to. How much work what I have done at my job? How much more advanced would I be in my education? Would I be a better father? A better son?

I guess these are all what ifs, and you can’t live your life that way (you made your bed now you lie in it). I can only try to change myself and help others do the same. “Be the change you want to see in the world”-Gandhi. If it’s difficult to stop checking your social media try setting time apart to only do that.

It’s not multitasking no matter how many times you utter it to yourself.