Let’s go back to a time before the internet, before iPhones and the never-ending drone of social media. Around 100,000 years ago, the first modern humans left the confines of Africa. Wait, that’s too far back. Right, I’ll try again. When I was growing up in the 70s it was the beginning of the digital age. If I wanted to research anything I had to trudge down to the library. Hours of flicking through the index cards followed, finding the catalogue numbers and then rooting through the shelves – only to discover that the book was missing or already loaned. I had to seek the information, it didn’t seek me. There were no messages, emails, shares or targeted ads. If I received a letter it was usually something ominous. Life was…quieter with space to think.
Nowadays, I have endless data streaming across my screens, at work and play. Misinformation masquerading as truth and automated websites wanting my time and money. Rather than feeling connected to the world, I feel like a bystander, as I slide through life tapping at a keyboard. Is there an upside to this digital dystopia? Well, maybe. If I treat the internet the same way as I treated my old library. I didn’t live in the library 24/7, so why am I constantly plugged in now? Back then, I decided what I wanted to learn about and filtered out the rest. I focused.
Back in the day (that thing all old guys say), access to new ideas was challenging. Online, I can find out nearly anything – if I do my due diligence on the source. That’s why trusted apps and websites like NHS Inform are important. I can research healthy eating and get advice on keeping active. Even in areas like men’s mental health, where stigma still has a part to play, NHS inform offers clear advice and ways to access services. I’m also interested in Scotland’s Environment and with a few keystrokes, I can find out all the information I’d ever need about climate change, how to get involved and even cost-effective active travel solutions.
For my children, 3-minute videos of people reviewing squishies is the only reality they’ve known. Screens become chattering babysitters because I’m welded to a screen myself. It’s important to me then that you remember the beginning. You know, the bit when we walked out Africa thousands of years ago. No-one would have been posting a selfie. Human beings were doing human things. They were running, speaking, laughing and being outside. When I do those things I feel…well, I feel more human and connected to the world around me. So do my kids.
Do me a favour then. Finish this blog and put the device away. Walk outside and do something human that interacts with other creatures (they don’t have to be people) and trust me; just like our ancient ancestors, you’ll be on the right path.
James McConnachie
Business Continuity and Resilience Officer
