How Excessive Internet Usage Hampers Your Humanity

“Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand.” - Aldous Huxley Brave New World (1932)

You see, the majority of us won't be able to deny our neurotic ties to the internet, whether we like it or not. We ALL know that we're addicted in some way, whether it is through the countless hours of short form video content or the compulsive refreshing of Twitter over and over again to find that spicy piece of news first, we all can admit that we have a little bit of an issue.

I believe that at the root of all of our beings there exists this abyss. This unregulated, anarchic chasm of intense emotions, insecurities, fear, love, past memories that are too painful to remember, everything that has ever existed within us that is too painful to confront head on. Every once in a while this abyss spews out a flare, not dissimilar to a solar flare from the sun. A burst of emotions that floods into our consciousness, sometimes rendering us unable to move.

It sounds like this insidious and horrible thing that makes us into fundamentally broken beings, but in reality is the most beautiful thing a person can possess, other than their own life. For that abyss is everything that they are, everything that they will be, and everything they were. THIS IS OUR HUMANITY. This is who we are as people. Some of the greatest art of our history as a species stemmed from the abyss’s core.

It’s much more than simply being in tune with your emotions, it’s being present with your humanity and all it entails. Your sense of identity, aliveness, and your capacity to connect with others on a deeply human level. It’s the wellspring of creativity, empathy, and authenticity—the essence of what makes us truly alive. The abyss isn’t just a source of pain or turmoil; it’s the birthplace of transformation, where the raw materials of our existence—love, loss, fear, and hope—are forged into meaning.

When we lose touch with this abyss, we risk losing touch with our humanity itself. Excessive internet use, with its constant noise and distraction, often keeps us from confronting the abyss. It offers an endless stream of surface-level stimulation, pulling us away from moments of silence and introspection—the very moments where the abyss speaks the loudest.

Instead of sitting with discomfort or allowing emotions to unfold naturally, we scroll, swipe, and click, seeking quick fixes to avoid the complexities of our inner world. This avoidance might seem harmless, but over time, it chips away at our ability to feel deeply, think critically, and create meaning from our experiences. It dulls the vibrancy of our inner lives and replaces it with an artificial sense of connection and satisfaction.

To reclaim our humanity, we must make space for the abyss. We need to embrace stillness, let ourselves feel deeply, and engage with the world in a way that prioritizes authenticity over convenience. Art, reflection, and genuine connection are the antidotes to the shallow allure of the internet’s constant hum. By returning to the depths of the abyss, we can rediscover what it truly means to be alive.