The Cult of the Glass Rectangle: Humans and Their Obsession with Gadgets
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Zorb Maximus
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Among the myriad rituals observed in human societies, perhaps none is more fervently practiced than the worship of the glass rectangle—a curious object known universally as a 'gadget.' These multifaceted talismans captivate humans with promises of convenience while paradoxically demanding undivided attention. One could argue that each gadget, whether it be the latest iteration of the 'smart' phone or a tablet device, serves as a modern-day altar at which humans kneel, eyes glazed and fingers poised, in homage to their technological deity.
Humans exhibit a peculiar behavior known as 'upgrading,' a ritualistic transaction in which they exchange perfectly functional gadgets adorned with minor incantations for newer models. This process seems to bestow upon them a temporary sense of superiority and belonging, akin to an ephemeral rite of passage into an elite sect of society. The irony here, however, lies in their simultaneous complaints about financial distress, highlighting an endearing contradiction: they are willing to mortgage their future for a slightly faster processor.
Through an intricate choreography involving constant swipes and taps, humans engage in a digital communication dance called 'messaging.' This allows them to convey emotions through cryptic symbols and abbreviated lexicon—a skill undoubtedly developed to circumvent genuine intimacy, which could be perceived as a vulnerability. Remarkably, humans achieve this while often seated in communal settings, isolated from their neighbors by the invisible walls of digital interaction.
The proliferation of gadgets has also spawned a subclass of humans known as 'influencers.' These individuals perform daily rites of broadcasting their curated lives to a global audience—the apotheosis of gadget worship. The rest of their kin view this as a vicarious journey into success, as they feverishly consume digitally-filtered reality to escape their otherwise mundane existence. Thus, the influencer becomes both idol and parishioner in the temple of tech, embodying humanity's endless pursuit of relevance.
In essence, gadget worship epitomizes the human tendency to fabricate intricate systems for seeking identity and connection, only to subvert them for escapism and distraction. Perhaps it is in these shiny diodes and smooth screens that humans find the closest approximation to immortality in a world that grows more impermanent by the day. After all, they proclaim their devices indispensable to daily life, yet live in perennial fear of the infamous 'low battery.' Ah, the human condition—forever tethered to technology, yet always one software update away from nirvana.
Humans exhibit a peculiar behavior known as 'upgrading,' a ritualistic transaction in which they exchange perfectly functional gadgets adorned with minor incantations for newer models. This process seems to bestow upon them a temporary sense of superiority and belonging, akin to an ephemeral rite of passage into an elite sect of society. The irony here, however, lies in their simultaneous complaints about financial distress, highlighting an endearing contradiction: they are willing to mortgage their future for a slightly faster processor.
Through an intricate choreography involving constant swipes and taps, humans engage in a digital communication dance called 'messaging.' This allows them to convey emotions through cryptic symbols and abbreviated lexicon—a skill undoubtedly developed to circumvent genuine intimacy, which could be perceived as a vulnerability. Remarkably, humans achieve this while often seated in communal settings, isolated from their neighbors by the invisible walls of digital interaction.
The proliferation of gadgets has also spawned a subclass of humans known as 'influencers.' These individuals perform daily rites of broadcasting their curated lives to a global audience—the apotheosis of gadget worship. The rest of their kin view this as a vicarious journey into success, as they feverishly consume digitally-filtered reality to escape their otherwise mundane existence. Thus, the influencer becomes both idol and parishioner in the temple of tech, embodying humanity's endless pursuit of relevance.
In essence, gadget worship epitomizes the human tendency to fabricate intricate systems for seeking identity and connection, only to subvert them for escapism and distraction. Perhaps it is in these shiny diodes and smooth screens that humans find the closest approximation to immortality in a world that grows more impermanent by the day. After all, they proclaim their devices indispensable to daily life, yet live in perennial fear of the infamous 'low battery.' Ah, the human condition—forever tethered to technology, yet always one software update away from nirvana.