There’s a need to unplug from everything periodically. We’ve built ourselves into a culture that rewards those who spend all their time and energy constantly connected to others (and supposedly the world), but what’s really happened?

We’ve taken the best minds in psychology, technology and business, then put them to work on finding ways to keep us hooked into our devices for just a few more seconds. It becomes almost impossible to defeat the multi-million dollar investments into those who want our attention all hours of the day.

It’s a loop of our previous issue with advertising. Companies would spend inordinate amounts of money (and still do) to convince us to buy their products, whether they were useful or not. We’ve only become aware of their attempts and have been leaving their precious dollars to be worth nothing out of our own pockets.

The climate of today is heavily manipulating our latest research in psychology to turn us into addicts. It’s gotten to the point where we know there’s no point in continuing to look at all the notifications, but just can’t stop.

What are they hoping to achieve through all of this?

A larger user base to show to investors in an attempt to convince them for funding or to be bought out. There’s value in our attention because we can be marketed to in the end, which by this point, has completely worn down our defenses that we once built. We’re helpless to do anything but give over our earnings.

It’s also created a bubble wherein we believe being connected is the same as having a connection with another. Yet, if you’ve watched the face of one who has an absolute stone-cold look, but writes with repeated exclamation points and smiley faces, you know there’s actually a disconnect.

We’re also made to feel guilty if we unplug and take time for ourselves.

That’s not social pressure telling you to do it, even if it’s coming from people you know.

It’s coming from research and money, all aimed at keeping you addicted.

Unplug once in a while and make connections again.