Before the introduction of internet, life was very simple and
people had plenty of time to visit each other, read books besides enjoying
while sitting with the members of the family. A recent research shows that
almost six in ten of us are not getting enough sleep – a fifty per cent
increase from just a year ago.
I used to have a very sound sleep and even got up as late as 8'o
clock to be in office at exact 9 am.
While the experts blame the rise on growing numbers of people
using smartphones, tablet computers and other gadgets in bed and in the hour or
two before turning in. The blue light emitted by the screens reduces
drowsiness, making it harder to fall asleep.
It is said that an
average adult needs seven and a half to eight and a half hours of sleep at
night – and seven hours or less is associated with numerous health problems.
While looking for
studies on this issue, I found out that nearly 60 per cent of smartphone owners
don't go even for an hour without checking their phones, around 54 per cent
check their phones while in bed, and nearly 40 per cent check their phones
while in the toilet and around 30 per cent check their phones during meals with
others and another 9 per cent check their phones during religious services.
All this data shows
that those 'online', don't sleep day and night and keep themselves and others
updated about the activities going on in their lives.
Gone are the days,
when it used to be said – `Do good and forget' and this old timers' proverb
stands changed with time and it is now – `Do good and make it public'.
Frankly speaking,
online is now a day's addiction at the cost of one's health and to get sleep,
we have to resort to childhood practices of tiring out the brain by thinking of
an animal for each letter of the alphabet or getting up and doing a jigsaw.
With the ongoing move of smartphones towards near-ubiquity, much
of society has come to take these do-all devices for granted. In overcoming the
novelty of smartphones, many of us have lost our one-time sense of awe at this
technology, and have ceased marveling at the effect it has had on the world around us.
However, it is undeniable that smartphones have exerted a huge and
multi-faceted impact on society, and continue to do so to this day.
Obviously, the access
that smart phones afford their users makes the lives of many easier and more
convenient. However, it may also have a more subtle, negative effect. Many
smartphone users have come to depend on their devices; whether they need
important contact information, an address, or driving directions, they pull out
their phones to get it. This change may impede smartphone users' abilities to
navigate some situations, should they find themselves without a working
smartphone, and, more generally, may degrade their resourcefulness.
I recollect that when
all the newspapers used to be put online at midnight around 2.30 am, I used to
get up exactly at that time and was online to see as to whether my letter to
the editor or write-up has been published or not.
However, this
practice of mine continued for years, but when I joined the online websites,
posting news or happenings around the world instantly, I used to be online all
the time. The moment, any news of major event in the city was noticed, it was
immediately posted and alerts sent to the known groups through emails and now
on Facebook and WhatsApp.
I still recollect
that sometime back when a very senior bureaucrat was transferred at the place
of his choice and news was flashed on online portal, with its alert to him at
late night, an instant message received was – "On liners Don't
Sleep".
It also reminded me
the older timers' Punjabi song – Lagi wale kadhe vi na sondhe, teri kinve akh
lag gayi – Those who are in vow of love, don't sleep but how you had a nap!
When I asked Siri – a
software in iPhone which gives answer to your every question – Siri, do you
sleep? The instant reply was I don't need much sleep, Harish, but it's nice of
you to ask.
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