Five Cent Piece – The young and the restless

Commentary by Kyle Cowan

She stood in the middle of the dance floor. The music was so loud she could feel it reverberating in her chest. She raised one hand in the air, fist pumping to the beat, her other hand moving slowly to her pocket…she pulled out her phone…updated her status. Fist pump. Update. Fist pump. Update.

The younger generation, especially those the same age as Five Cent Piece, seem to be rather restless.

Alcohol, video games, sex chats, partying and… It’s all relevant to the new tradition of cultivating a social life. In the midst of it all; social media. The bane of meaningful conversation, the destroyer of human moments and the mortal enemy of creativity.

What will become of our monuments and testaments to human development and history? They will be replaced by flat screens and gadgets so smart you wouldn’t even have to think for yourself.

It is all good and well to say that this is what will become of our youth, but make no mistake; your parents are hooked too.

Life is all about who Tweeted who and who liked whose photo. Relationships? If it is not confirmed in a relationship status update, it isn’t official, folks. If you’re single online, you’re single in life.

Suicide rates across the globe have increased steadily over the past few years, as the mind busting social media curve breaks new boundaries. People post everything online, their new house, their new car, their new child, their new jewelry. This makes others realise what they think is ‘missing’ from their lives.

Cue the dramatic music and slow motion shot of someone crying as they scroll through pictures on someone’s profile.

Not a reality for you? For millions of other people, it is a daily reminder of their perceived inadequacies.

Firm believer in the massive advances technology has made? Just wait until your fridge sends you a direct message on Twitter to remind you to buy milk.