You may have heard of "mediation" as a way of addressing conflicts prior to a court case. But mediation refers to anything that acts as an intermediary - something that comes between people. For most of us, the primary form of mediation we encounter comes in the form of a glowing screen. Between us and our music, our movies, our conversations with loved ones, and even the photo snapshots of our experiences in real life, sits a chunk of technology that most of us don't understand in the slightest.
We rely on these screens and take them for granted, but the fact is they come at a cost. They can cause us to be less present in our lives and relationships, and can lead to feelings of disconnection and alienation. We can become so focused on the virtual world that we forget to appreciate what’s right in front of us. It's important to remember that, at the end of the day, our most meaningful relationships will always be with the people around us, not with our gadgets or the content they provide us.
Being aware of how much time and energy is absorbed by our technological middlemen is the first step. Then, we can make a conscious effort to recognize when our screens are separating us from the people in our lives. We can deliberately limit our screen time and take time to engage in meaningful conversations, activities, and experiences with the people we care about. We can also try to be intentional with how we use screens to stay connected with those around us, and strive to be present and engaged even when we’re using technology to do so.
There’s no doubt that screens can be a powerful tool to help us stay connected with the ones we love, but it’s important to remember that they can also be a barrier that divides us. By being mindful of how we use our screens, and taking the time to cultivate and maintain real relationships, we can ensure that our machines are working with us, instead of against us.