THE DEMON - GOD VIRTUAL SPACE

The world is travelling through data; gigabytes and terabytes of data that even includes the undeniably imperative personal records of individuals. In an era where privacy has taken a backseat to the glamour of being an open book in the virtual space, we’ve alarmingly lost our ability to keep secrets. Secrets, not of the dangerous kind; but, those of the most innocuous kind.

The smallest little secrets of what we do during our leisure times, of the boring mundane that creeps in the midst of all the chaos in the world. The exhilarating madness one gets from being part of the tiniest of adventures. Yes, we have lost our abilities to truly savour these moments.

Are there moments in our lives that don’t become part of an Instagram story? Why do we flip on Snapchat when something interesting or disinteresting occurs?

That being said, when we end up using the virtual space for everything good that comes out of it, that is when its purpose is fulfilled. It is great when we transform it into a space for conversation, marketing, business and what-not; but the same becomes detrimental to the very essence of our beings when it overpowers the physical space, eating into our lives.

During the pandemic, the world requires the virtual space as it stays at home; it is bound to fall deeper into the crevices of this cyber madness. But we don’t really need to let it become this snake-pit of craziness. Use the virtual space, please do. However, let it supplement you, let it complete you, let it empower you. The virtual space is not the key to happiness; the key to happiness is you and you alone. This world, made out of data, is just a part of you, a miniscule part that is a demon and god alike.

Abhishek Manikandan handles news editing duties for 'The Pigeon'. When he has time off from his editing responsibilities, he writes opinion pieces and film reviews for the website.