Back to reality

Humans and their interactions have now largely shifted to the online space instead of the conventional physical lifestyle we had in the past. Is this a good way to live, or is it destroying life?

The truth is, although the modern lifestyle where almost everything has moved online has its downsides for humans, it is also very advantageous. I remember when I was growing up, a time when phones were not common and televisions were only found in a few houses on the street. Whenever night fell, everyone in the compound would usually gather at a spot to gist until it was late, after which everyone would go inside to sleep. You can barely see that kind of lifestyle today, although a bit of it is still practiced in villages among the elderly.

That said, we cannot ignore the benefits that the online lifestyle has brought our way. One of my friends recently left the country and will not be in Nigeria for the next two to three years. Naturally, his family misses him, but with the help of modern communication—where video calls bridge the gap of physical presence—the feeling of absence has been reduced to a certain extent. If we were still stuck with the old way of life, I doubt many people would even agree to travel out of the country.

This same friend recently got married and left his wife in Nigeria, with plans to take her along after a year or so. This is where the challenge comes in, because no matter the tone or length of calls, nothing can truly fill the gap in the bond between husband and wife. However, on a broader note, this online lifestyle has greatly improved livelihood. These days, people can completely find life partners online without the need to spend money on transportation or go through several physical visits before marriage. We can now find love offshore and plan the entire marriage process without even meeting the person physically until the wedding day. This is how technology has made life easier.

The only issue is that people sometimes abuse this lifestyle by depending on it excessively, which causes them to withdraw from real human interaction. I remember going on a date sometime last year when the lady boldly suggested that we should drop our phones on the table while we talked. I was surprised because I assumed she would be on her phone while communicating with me. That, to me, was discipline.

We can actually enjoy the good side of online life and still maintain a coordinated sense of human presence. This past Christmas season, when I went home, most evenings before going to sleep, I would plug my phone and go to the parlour to sit with my siblings and watch African Magic movies with them.