The rapid advancement of technology over the past few decades has brought unprecedented convenience, connectivity and innovation. Yet, beneath this sleek and glossy digital surface lies an unspoken unease.

A tech-crazed society is not merely one that uses technology; it is one that has become deeply dependent on it, often to the detriment of human well-being, community and critical thought. Several interconnected ailments afflict such a society, and together they signal a need for recalibration.

First, digital addiction has emerged as the biggest concern. From smartphones and social media to endless streaming and online gaming, people are glued to screens for large portions of their lives. These platforms are designed to be addictive, employing algorithms that exploit human psychology. The result is a populace increasingly distracted, anxious and isolated. Family time has been eroded. There is only work-time and me-time. Genuine human connection is on the soon-to-be-extinct list. 

Second, information overload and misinformation have created a crisis of truth and understanding. While access to knowledge has grown exponentially, the ability to critically assess it has not kept pace. Algorithms that favor engagement over accuracy amplify sensationalism and polarizing content. This has eroded trust in institutions, fostered division, and made consensus on basic facts more difficult. When two or more people experience a situation and have similar emotional reactions to it, they form a bond, a sense of connectedness which creates a sense of belonging. Algorithms create on the other hand create hollow sense of connection which in tech terms is called Echo chambers. The algorithms that create these chambers seems to think that if you have seen a particular post or news item once you will be forever interested only in those types of news items or posts (dumb, isn’t it).  

Third, surveillance business has put a price on human attention and behavior. Tech companies collect massive amounts of data, often with little transparency or accountability. This data is used to predict, influence, and monetize user behavior. The lines between personalization and manipulation blur, raising ethical concerns about autonomy and consent. As people trade privacy for convenience, they often do so without understanding the full cost.

Fourth, the dehumanization of interaction is subtly reshaping how people relate to each other. Face-to-face conversations have been replaced by texts, emojis and video snippets. While digital communication has its place, its dominance can flatten emotional nuance and hinder empathy. Human relationships risk becoming transactional and measured in "likes" and "followers."

Fifth, techno-solutionism is the belief that every problem has a technological fix. It often overshadows more holistic approaches. This mind-set can lead to short-sighted decisions, such as prioritizing apps for mental health over addressing societal causes of stress, or deploying AI in education without considering pedagogy or ethics. Technology is seen as an end in itself, rather than a means. Critical evaluation and thinking have been abandoned.

Finally, there is a growing loss of meaning and control. As automation increases and algorithms shape choices, people can feel less in charge of their lives. The pressure to optimize every moment, to brand oneself online and keep up with the trends is immense. These can eat away at a sense of purpose and identity.

Social media is adding another dimension – at times educating, at times creating conflicting ideas and putting people in a limbo, as a result of which they can feel directionless despite being knowledgeful. 

AI is the new confidant and people are opening up their bottled emotions and frustrations to ChatGPT, sometimes with disastrous consequences. Used intelligently AI can indeed provide many of the solutions we desperately need. 

It appears, the ailments of a tech-crazed society stem not from technology itself, but from its unchecked dominance and our uncritical embrace of it. Will we be able to correct the way we use technology or allow it to run and more often ruin our lives? 

Image (c) istock.com