" Look up " by Gary Turk

We are a generations of idiots, smart phones and dumb people.
Every once in a while, a video will catch our eyes."Look Up" by Gary Turk is one of such video.
If you have not heard, 'Look up" is fast becoming one of the most viral video on Youtube. With over 13 Millions views and growing since it was uploaded on 25th April, it's popularity is undeniable. The main reason for this popularity would be due to the subject it touches... social media and life. 2 things that have been intertwine in many urban lives.

This is a video that was produced to create a message.

'Look Up' is a lesson taught to us through a love story, in a world where we continue to find ways to make it easier for us to connect with one another, but always results in us spending more time alone.

There are many including yours truly that appreciate the message. At the very same breath , there are those that disagree and had panned the video as either a means to generate income for the producer ( via Youtube views) or one that had tried to hard to be pin all life issues on technology. Given that is it well produced with a good sense of imagery and messages that would strike a chord with most, it would seem that this video is creatively produced for profits. Regardless, we could not ignore the message it is trying to communicate... Connection is diminished in today's connected world. Ironically, the use of social media had created a life that is less social. You may have alot of friends on social media, but honestly how well do you know each of them.

I have 422 friends, yet I am lonely.
I speak to all of them everyday and yet none of them really know me.

With technology, the world has become smaller, everyone and everywhere is just a few clicks away. Yet such closeness that taken away the intimacy in a relationship. Speaking from personal experience, the use of a smartphone or a tablet had at times somewhat replace conversations.

Can you remember the last time you had an hour phone conversation with someone? How about the one hour or more you spend clearing emails or surfing the internet? I would think the latter applies in today scenario . In fact, it is becoming more of a norm in today's connected society.

We are surrounded by children who since they were born,
has watched us living like robots and think it is the norm.
It is not very likely that you would make world's greatest Dad
if you can't entertain a child without using an iPad. 

In some cases, technology has taken the role of parenting to a different level. How many can actually claim that he/she does not use technology in some form or another to interact with the children? It could be the time when you use your phone to distract the wailing child to the time you use the education programs on television as a substitute for parenting. Back in the good old days before the time of the smartphones, there are those that had used handheld games as a tool of distraction too. It is ironic that one would feel that technology overwhelms when it is always there as a means to 'entertainment' and perhaps a little time out for the parents.

So look up from your phone, shut down the display
Take in your surroundings, make the most of today
Just one real connection is all it can take
to show you the differences of being there can make. 

The dangers lies not in using technology, but rather using it to substitute parenting. I am guilty as charge. With a blog, I tend to be on the internet more often than usual. It could be doing research for a blog post, posting a facebook or instagram update, or simply composing a post like this. In any cases, admittedly there are occasions it took away time from spending more time with the children. However I had since evolved and tried to work at times when the children are in bed. It does take away my sleeping time, but if it means I can perform my duties as a Dad, sacrifices are worth it.

When you are too busy looking down, you don't see the chances you miss
So look up from your phone , shut down those displays
We have a finite of existence, a set numbers of days
don't waste your live getting caught in the net
as when the end comes, nothing is worse than regret 

Technology may not have completely taken over our lives as the video depicted, but it does highlight how much it has impregnated into our lives. It is a timely reminder that we should not let technology dominate. Already today it has slowly crept into our lives, substituting some activities of the past. If we do not arrest it, the future generation will be threaten to be engulf by it. In a world of tomorrow. there would be alot more friends but lesser connections. 

Give People your love, don't give them your like
Disconnect from the need to be hear and define
Go out in the world , leave instructions behind

So Look Up from your phone... better still, put it down.

Live life the Real Way