The rise of technology has brought about many changes to the way we live our lives.

We can now connect with people from all over the world in an instant, access vast amounts of information in seconds, and do things that would have been unimaginable just a few decades ago. However, with these benefits come some downsides, one of which is the rise of self-obsession. In this article, we will explore the issue of self-obsession in the age of technology, how it manifests itself, and what we can do to combat it.

What is self-obsession?

Self-obsession is the excessive preoccupation with oneself, one’s appearance, and one’s life. It is the belief that one’s own thoughts and feelings are more important than anyone else’s.

In the age of technology, self-obsession has become more prevalent due to social media, where people can create and curate their own image and present it to the world. It is not just about sharing a picture on Instagram or Facebook but about how many likes, comments, and followers one has.

How does self-obsession manifest itself?

Self-obsession can manifest itself in various ways. One of the most obvious is through social media, where people can showcase their photos, thoughts, and feelings to the world.

People can carefully curate their image and share only the highlights of their life. It can also manifest itself in the way people talk about themselves, always promoting their achievements and successes while downplaying those of others.

Finally, self-obsession can lead to a lack of empathy and concern for others, as individuals become solely focused on their own lives and accomplishments.

What are the effects of self-obsession?

The effects of self-obsession can be damaging, not just to the individual, but also to society as a whole.

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Firstly, it can lead to a lack of empathy, as individuals become absorbed in their own concerns and less able to relate to others and their experiences. Secondly, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem in those who cannot match the curated images of others.

Thirdly, it can lead to a society that values superficial appearances over substance, where people are judged on their looks, wealth, and status rather than their character and actions.

How can we combat self-obsession?

There are several ways we can combat self-obsession. Firstly, we can focus on our relationships with others and work to become more empathetic and understanding.

By giving more attention to the feelings and concerns of others, we can become less absorbed in our own lives. Secondly, we can limit our use of social media and take breaks from it regularly. By taking a break, we can become more present in our own lives and less concerned with the image we present to others.

Finally, we can focus on substance over appearances, valuing people for their character and actions rather than their looks, wealth, and status.

Conclusion

The age of technology has brought many benefits, but it has also led to an increase in self-obsession. We can combat this by focusing on our relationships with others, limiting our use of social media, and valuing substance over appearances.

By doing so, we can become more empathetic, understanding, and grounded in our own lives.