I Am on Social Media; Therefore, I Exist!
Ashim Kumar Paul
The title of my write-up has actually got inspiration from the famous proposition of the French philosopher, Rene Descartes, “Je pense, donc je suis” which, in English, we know as “I think, therefore I am”. This popular phrase implies that Descartes was trying to tell us: "We cannot doubt our existence when we doubt". We think, therefore we exist. Although the philosophical thought might not essentially be in alignment with the aim of my write-up, I have rather attempted to radicalize the fundamental essence to show the existential crisis on the social media.
Although celebrating birthday means we are getting older and closer to death, our dear and near ones come and wish us to live longer, instead. An irony, isn’t it? However, a couple of days ago, my birthday was gone. After signing up to the popular social media, Facebook, every year, when the clock strikes 12 amsignifying my birthday, my facebook wall and messenger start being inundated with the birthday wishes from my known and dear persons as well as from those who are just connected with me in virtual world but unknown in reality. Their wishes really rejuvenated me to think over the sweetness of life and start afresh.
Nonetheless, unlike other years, this time, the birthday came to me as a new flavor and message. Since 23rd May, I had deactivated my Facebook account for personal reasons although the Messenger option was open for communication. During the deactivation phase, my birthday turned up and the deactivation of my Facebook wall had a great impact on getting my birthday wishes virtually. This year, no birthday wishes could reach me via Facebook thanks to its deactivation. Though I kept the Messenger app open in which those who wished me on the occasion of my birthday in other years could send me birthday wishes, the inbox remained blank instead.Even my mobile phone inbox would be empty unless two of my friends sent their wishes via mobile phone. Does this imply that out of social media means out of mind? This experience of mine might, somehow, flabbergastthose who either have paralleled the real life with the virtual worldorenjoy socialisingin the virtual world or both of them.
As already said, this birthday has come up with a new message for me. I could understand that in the virtual world, there is hardly anyone outside your family sphere who could remember your birthday unless and until you are a famous or influential personality. Actually, in most cases, the netizens could remember and start wishing one’s birthday when the notification of Facebook alerts. Then, a new spell of thought for birthday wish follows involving whether the person does really matter to them. When the criterion matches, the birthday wish ensues finally.
Not only does it happen to the case of birthday wishes, it happens to everything around our day-to-day activities and achievements.Suppose, you have got a new job or a promotion in your job and post it on the social media like Facebook, the clicks from your friend list to react on your achievement and comments to wish you will proceed accordingly. In this regard, I can share two more of my experiences. About six years ago, when I got the appointment letter from the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh as an Assistant Director during my service to a private bank, I did not post it on Facebook. As a result, only the members of my family and relatives and some close acquaintances knew it. However, one day, in the UGC office, I happened to meet one of my seniors who isa university teacher and from my locality. He came to make his foreign degree certificate equivalent. He was surprised to see methere as he knew I was still in banking sector. Conversely, when the result of BCS exam came out andin the Facebook, I posted the news that I have been selected, a plethora of greetings and wishes followed. As a result, this time, both the circles of my acquaintances and unfamiliar individuals connected with my Facebook could know that I joined BCS job. Therefore, similar to getting birthday wishes, it will not be exaggerated to say that unless you post your achievements, your success will not be recognized.
Similarly, the social media have hooked our life so tightly that the days of living and socialising in regular and close physical proximity to friends and family have long since passed for many people. Instead of meeting and talking in person, the trends of sharing, greeting and even mourning over the death of dear ones via social media have almost been on the rise.Sitting beside, we tend to communicate via social media by clicking, commenting or sharing posts rather than uttering words from mouth. More surprisingly, these days, there are many people who might not remember the birthday of the persons in their own community or do not greet the achievements of their community members but remain in the hurry to wish those individuals who are not from their own professional community but remain in the powerful positions in other offices and society. Even if the members of same community or professional sphere are greeted in the social media for their achievements or on the occasion of their special days in life, their position and influence in the community or profession are mostly prioritized. This trend might be compared to an existential crisis which has afflicted even the most astute and aware punter on social media.
I feel that if Descartes were alive in the social media-based life, he might have asked: “Do we exist at all unless and until we exist on social media?” Hence, based on Descartes’ famous words, I would like to give them a new millennium spin: I am on social media, therefore I am. I am in powerful position, therefore I am. I click and comment, therefore I am. I quit social media, therefore I do not exist at all!
