When Did We Start Watching Life Itself Instead of Living It?

Modern humans are witnessing an unprecedented amount of global events, from wars to economic crises and protests, often in real-time through live broadcasts. Yet, despite this constant stream of information, there's a growing sense of detachment and reduced engagement.

The core problem, according to this perspective, isn't simply the amount of time spent in front of screens, but the fundamental transformation of life itself into a screen-like experience. Once a tool to view life, screens have become the very space where life unfolds. Daily activities like working, socializing, shopping, and even grieving are now mediated through a small digital interface, blurring the distinction between the digital realm and physical existence.

This digital mediation fosters a passive consumption of experiences. The logic of the screen dictates that one watches, likes, comments, and shares, before moving on to the next image or event. This habit is seeping into real-world interactions, leading to a diminished capacity for sustained, collective action in response to significant societal issues. Major events, from wars to economic crises, are consumed as fleeting images, failing to generate lasting engagement because the screen's nature is to constantly present the new, leaving little room for deep processing or sustained reaction.