The Virtual The Reality The Insanity
August 1997, Jamiroquai dropped “Virtual Insanity.” A track nearly everyone knows, and here we are, almost 30 years later, and it still hits. If you’ve ever really listened to the lyrics, you’d know they’re getting more real by the day.
I think back to when Facebook was new, and we were all figuring out how to navigate sharing our private lives online. From posting breakfast to dinner, “good morning” greetings to “hey, it’s snowing again,” everything was out there. That’s where it all started—the illusion of everyone else’s perfect life. Another vacation, a new apartment, a new relationship… We started comparing ourselves, some of us feeling less-than, some feeling the urge to prove we were more. Somewhere in the middle of all that, we forgot we’re all dealing with the same shit.
Sure, the days of oversharing every moment might be behind us, but honestly, it’s worse now than ever. Those casual selfies and status updates evolved into influencers and a flood of unregulated content. Bottom line? More content than we could ever consume and an algorithm calling the shots.
A few years back, I got deep into exploring racism and feminism. Growing up in a racist household, I felt there was a lot I needed to work through. But what I realized was that the content the almighty Algorithm kept feeding me was all about racism and sexism. And guess what? That stuff started to build fears and anxieties in me that I’d never had before. Why? Because it was always in my face, and my brain took it as reality. I began searching for signs of sexism and racism, just waiting for my confirmation bias to kick in and deliver that dopamine hit. But in the end, I felt awful, started hating the world, and felt like it hated me back because everywhere I looked, I saw hidden racism.
That’s when I really started noticing how we’re constantly being fed so many opinions and views all day long. And we have no idea how much of it is even true or how much of it applies to what’s actually going on in our own circles. The truth gets twisted with the lies, and vice versa.
wtf is going on?!
Honestly, I can’t stand all the hate, the empty content, the nonstop polarization anymore. I get it—there’s a lot wrong with the world, and yeah, we should speak up. But I don’t need a reaction video of a reaction video telling me how women have been oppressed by men for centuries or that colonialism brought out humanity’s darkest side. It makes me sick. Everything is moving way too fast, and the internet has turned into some kind of fever dream circus. The brain rot is real.
So, I’m making a choice. In 2024, I’m going offline. I miss when the internet was an option, not a given. I miss when there was still some mystery and anticipation when not everything could be Googled or ordered in a heartbeat. I miss the days when we weren’t available 24/7, and if it was important, someone would have to pick up the phone and call.
I want those moments back—moments where I’m excited to watch a movie because I accidental caught it on TV and not just a click away.
I want those moments again when I’m genuinely intrigued by what’s happening around me, not feeling like I’ve seen it all a thousand times on a screen.
I want those moments again when striking up a conversation with a stranger is easy because we’re all actually interested in real, human connection.
I want those moments again when I’m bored out of my fucking mind, with nothing to do, instead of being numbed by endless media. Because that’s the sweet spot, where the magic happens.
Boredom
When we’re bored, that’s when the best ideas come to life. Whether it’s picking up a new hobby, just stepping outside, or starting a chat with someone you’ve never met. As crazy as it sounds, we need boredom to grow. That’s when we start looking for something new.
We need more boredom and, most importantly, more heart in the real world.
But with everything always online, we don’t get a moment to just be bored and think. We’re constantly bombarded with impressions and opinions that unconsciously distort our perceptions.
Live like it’s the 1990s
This is my experiment. As a Millennial, I remember what life was like before the internet and smartphones took over. I want to get back to that 1990s vibe. So, I’m cutting the internet out of my daily routine as much as possible. If I need to look something up, I’ll use my laptop. The smartphone’s getting dialed back—just a landline now, sitting in one spot, only used there. I’ve deleted all the unnecessary apps, and when I’m out, I’m offline—only reachable by phone or SMS.
To remind myself why I’m doing this, my mantra will be, “Live like it’s the 1990s.” Because it’s way too easy to get sucked back into the digital vortex. But this time, it’s gotta be different—whether it’s for my music, my art, or just life in general.
We need to learn how to step back and find joy in being offline again.