Connection before Content
Updated: Sep 1
Why does everyone feel the need to post and comment on everything?
Let’s look at our most recent historical advancement – technology. It has enriched our lives in so many ways – improving our health care systems, education systems, business and economic modelling, and improved access and ableism. It makes our everyday tasks easier and faster to accomplish – and yet, there is a cost. A human cost that perhaps we didn’t calculate.
Human connection.
The social media world, chat and gaming rooms are often extremely unrealistic, full of biases and sadly racism, homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny. The images that are shared are often extremely ‘enhanced’ with lighting, modifications and more – they are fabrications of reality. Social media can be very dangerous, predatory, and dark.
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to seep throughout these networks, reality is becoming even more and more blurred. How can we be sure we are even watching a real person anymore – or reading something they wrote? With the advancements of AI, its almost impossible.
Recently China demonstrated robots performing sporting events faster and more efficiently than any human. Robots only need energy. They don’t need sleep, air, or healthcare. They can work 24 hours a day, faster and more efficient than us. When we look at the state of the world it appears that technology is a double-edged sword. If AI continues to advance, what will we do? How will we, as individuals and society, contribute to our human existence.
When the world shut down with COVID it had an incredible impact. Again, a double-edged sword. On one hand, it reminded us how precious connections and freedoms are, on the other hand it exponentially thrust the world even into a further dependence on technology.
How do we bring people back together?
I believe that no matter how advanced technology becomes, it cannot erase our human spirit, our need for love and connection.
I think its an intentional action to make those plans for walks out in nature with friends, to go camping and create your own community, to go outside and chat with your neighbours, to smile and say hello to a stranger at the grocery store – better yet, hold the door for them. It’s important for our mental health and wellness to make real human connections. They enrich our lives far beyond 0’s and 1’s.
Fauxvember is about building that human connection with women from different walks of life. Yes, we will use technology as a platform to meet and share, but it is real women, talking about real issues, and making real connections. As Fauxyladies, we will continue to remove the ‘artificial’ labels and expectations that have been placed upon us by society and often ourselves, by sharing, listening and supporting one another – and building real human connections that bring meaning to our lives.
Want to join the Fauxvember Society and become a Fauxylady – email me at msperren@fauxvember.com.
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