If you could un-invent something, what would it be?
If I Could Un-Invent Something, It Would Be – “The Toxic Cycle of the Like Button and Validation”
Attention (Grabbing Attention):Imagine a world where your worth is determined not by the ‘likes’ on your photos, but by your authenticity. A world where children make videos to learn, not for likes. Where your self-esteem rests not at the mercy of a button, but on the confidence within you. Today, we will discuss one such invention that
has fundamentally altered the concepts of human relationships and self-worth.
Reason (Why Read This Article):
You are reading this because you too feel that certain aspects of technology are hollowing us out from within. Sandeep Maheshwari Sir often says – “Real life resides not behind the screen, but in front of it.” Meanwhile, Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sir emphasizes mental peace and inner happiness. This article is written from their perspective, so we can understand which invention is making us lonely and dissatisfied despite being ‘connected’.
Benefits (Benefits of Reading This Article):
After reading this article, you will gain:
1. An understanding of how the ‘digital cycle of validation’ is stealing our mental peace.
2. A new perspective to view your and your children’s screen time.
3. Practical ways to find satisfaction in real life.
4. The ability to create a healthy balance between the ‘digital world‘ and the ‘real world‘.
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The Invention That Changed the Definition of Our ‘Identity’
Sandeep Sir often says, “You are not what you want to show, you are what you are.” But the culture of ‘likes’ and ‘reactions’ on social media has blurred this truth. In my view, if one invention could be ‘un-invented,’ it is – “The framework of social media that has made us constantly crave the approval of others.”
It is not just a button; it’s a psychological trap. From Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sir’s psychological perspective, it creates a dangerous cycle of ‘instant gratification’ and ‘validation-seeking’. With every notification, our brain releases dopamine, a ‘happy chemical,‘ and we become slaves to its ‘addiction’.
It’s Not Just Technology, It Has Become a ‘Social Experiment’
Whether homemakers or office professionals, everyone is under its sway. When a mother posts a photo of the food she cooked, her happiness starts being determined more by ‘likes’ than by taste. A student’s hard work is measured not by their marks but by their Instagram followers. A professional’s network becomes not their real contacts, but their LinkedIn connections.
I am reminded of a famous quote by Sandeep Sir – “A person who worries about what people will say can never move forward.” Today, ‘people’ have been replaced by ‘followers’. We have started measuring ourselves by the number of ‘followers,’ the metrics of ‘views,’ and the count of ‘shares’. Our success and failure have become digital metrics.
The Assault on Mental Health: From Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sir’s Perspective
Dr. Sir explains that a major cause of depression and anxiety is “comparison.” And social media has taken this ‘comparison’ to an industrial level. All the time, we see others’ ‘highlight reels’ and compare them with our own ‘unedited reality,’ filling us with feelings of inadequacy.
A student gets bored with their studies after seeing another’s travel photos. A young professional becomes dissatisfied with their job after seeing someone else’s ‘promotion post’. A homemaker gets disheartened with her simple life after seeing pictures of another’s ‘perfect home’. This cycle continues endlessly.
What Are We Losing?
1. The Present Moment: Even while celebrating a child’s birthday, we get so busy ‘capturing’ and ‘posting’ it that we forget to truly enjoy that moment.
2. Deep Relationships: We make hundreds of ‘friends,’ but can’t find a single person to talk to in times of trouble. Dr. Sir says, “Connections are emotional, not digital.”
3. Creativity and Patience: In the race to go ‘viral,’ deep creativity and patient hard work have almost vanished. Everything needs to be ‘quick’ and ‘trendy’.
4. Self-Confidence: Our self-confidence has become dependent on external ‘likes’. If a post gets fewer likes, the mood sours. What kind of slavery is this?
Yet, Rejecting All Technology Is Not the Answer
Sandeep Sir’s vision has always been balanced. He would say, “The problem is not in the tool, but in the way it is used.” Social media has also opened opportunities for learning, connecting, and doing business. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sir would also agree that connecting with the right communities has increased positive discussions on mental health.
Therefore, to ‘un-invent’ means – to eliminate that ‘validation-seeking algorithm‘ and ‘design thinking’ that made us consumers, not humans. We need a platform that ‘connects,’ not one that makes us ‘compare’. One that focuses on ‘learning,’ not on ‘showcasing’.
How Can We Save Our World? (Practical Suggestions)
1. Schedule Digital Detox Time: According to Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sir, aim for at least 1-2 hours completely screen-free each day. Use this time for conversation with family, walking in nature, or for your hobby.
2. Turn ‘Likes’ into ‘Learning’: Internalize Sandeep Sir’s thought. Whenever you post something, ask yourself – “Am I doing this just for likes, or am I actually sharing something meaningful?”
3. Prioritize Real Meetings: At least once a week, have a long phone call or meet a friend or family member in person. Face-to-face conversation has a different magic compared to digital chat.
4. Focus on ‘Learning’ Over ‘Following’: Fill your feed with people and pages that give you knowledge, inspiration, or skills, not just entertainment or display.
5. Question Yourself: “If all my social media accounts disappeared today, would I still be the same person? Would my self-worth diminish?” If the answer is ‘yes,’ it is a matter of reflection.
Conclusion: The Real ‘Like’ Button is Within You
Friends, in the end, the essence of Sandeep Maheshwari Sir and Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sir’s thoughts are this – “The greatest approval is the approval you give yourself. The greatest validation is your own self-confidence.”
Let us use technology as a tool, not as an ornament. Inventions should serve humanity, not make it their slave. If we focus on ‘love‘ instead of ‘likes,’ on ‘family‘ instead of ‘followers,’ and on ‘character’ instead of ‘comments,’ we will move towards a healthier and more satisfied life.
Remember, “Your value is not in your profile picture, but in your character. Your worth is not in social media analytics, but in your compassionate actions.”
Learn to ‘unfollow’ yourself, only then will you be able to ‘follow’ real ‘life’.
Yours,
A mind that places humanity’s fundamental joys above digital metrics.
READ MORE: Real life examples of love
Thank You!