Daily writing prompt

If you could un-invent something, what would it be?

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Dear friends,

I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood.

Today’s writing prompt poses a deceptively simple yet profoundly revealing question: If you could un-invent something, what would it be?

At first glance, the question feels playful—almost like a thought experiment meant for idle conversation. But the longer you sit with it, the heavier it becomes.

Every invention carries consequences, both intended and accidental. To un-invent something is not merely to erase an object; it is to rewind a chain of human behavior shaped around it.

In a world immersed in technological wonders, many might be tempted to target the internet or smartphones themselves.

My focus, however, shifts to a specific phenomenon: social networking—what I often call “social NOTworking.”

Despite its promise of connecting us across vast distances, social networking paradoxically hinders genuine human interaction.

The anonymity of the internet emboldens people to become trolls, hurling insults and judgments they would likely never express face-to-face.

Imagine that same troll sitting next to you—their tone, words, and courage would probably change dramatically. What we lose online is accountability, and with it, empathy.

algorithm-driven social media feeds

If I had the power to un-invent one thing, it would not be fire, electricity, or even the internet itself. It would be algorithm-driven social media feeds—the invisible systems designed to capture, hold, and monetize our attention.

This is not a rejection of technology or connection. Social media, in its early days, promised something beautiful: bridging distances, sharing ideas freely, and amplifying unheard voices.

That promise was real. What changed was not our desire to connect, but the machinery behind the screen.

Algorithms are designed to optimize engagement. They learn what keeps us scrolling and feed us more of it.

Psychology and neuroscience show that likes, comments, and notifications activate the brain’s dopamine system in ways similar to gambling.

The result is not just habit, but compulsion. Unlike a cigarette, which openly signals harm, an algorithm smiles politely and asks for “just one more minute.”

The social consequences are increasingly hard to ignore.

Algorithmic feeds favor content that provokes outrage and fear because calm reflection doesn’t travel as fast. This fuels polarization, misinformation, and fractured realities where dialogue turns into shouting across invisible walls.

On a personal level, the damage is quieter but equally profound. Attention is finite. When constantly interrupted, deep thinking suffers.

Creativity requires boredom. Empathy requires presence. Yet digital platforms are engineered to eliminate pauses, filling every empty moment with noise.

I’ve witnessed this shift firsthand.
Just the other evening, my granddaughter was engrossed in her mobile phone when her friends came to invite her to play outside.

“I don’t feel like playing right now,” she said, before returning to her screen. This small moment reflects a larger concern: children are spending less time in physical play and face-to-face interaction, and more time glued to devices.

Serious concerns about emotional intelligence and Social skills

The increasing reliance on social networks has altered how children socialize. Laughter, shared silence, and spontaneous conversation are being replaced by curated images and typed responses.

This raises serious concerns about the development of emotional intelligence and essential social skills.

It is crucial for parents, educators, and society to find balance—where technology enhances life rather than replaces human connection.

In a world dominated by text, the absence of facial expressions makes sincerity difficult to decipher. The warmth of personal interaction is lost in the digital abyss.

Even practical matters suffer. How many important gatherings have we missed because an invitation was buried on a social media feed?

A personal call or a simple message carries a value no algorithm can replace.

My objection is not a rejection of progress,

My objection is not a rejection of progress, but a plea for intentional living. My life does not revolve around what others post online, and meaningful communication should not be sacrificed at the altar of virtual validation.

Interestingly, this longing for connection extends beyond the digital world. I often find myself nostalgic about floor-seated meals from my childhood—a time when families gathered informally, sharing food, gossip, laughter, and even playful complaints.

Eating on the floor fostered closeness and authenticity, free from formality.

Science even suggests such practices aid digestion. While dining tables and chairs bring convenience, something human was lost along the way.

Whether it’s the virtual world stripping away emotional nuance or the physical world losing informal togetherness, the underlying theme remains the same: a yearning for authenticity.

Yes, friends, when we explore un-inventing, we uncover a deeper truth—the pursuit of real human connection.

As we navigate progress, let us not forget what makes us human: presence, empathy, conversation, and community.

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts as we continue this conversation about rediscovering genuine connection in a rapidly changing world.

BE HAPPY… BE ACTIVE… BE FOCUSED… BE ALIVE

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Categories: infotainment

Tags: #artificial intelligence, #mental health, #social media, #technology, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-1821, featured, writing