The Internet has steadily
infiltrated our lives, given that so many
people are using it nowadays. However,
it appears that the contemporary young
generation are users to such a degree that
one could speak of an addiction to it (much
like the dependence on addictive substances
such as drugs and alcohol), as well as the
need to be purged of the addiction with the
help of a psychologist.
The equivalent Greek word for
"internet" (diadiktyo) is analysed as
meaning "the international network of
computing systems which was created through
the linking of many networks worldwide, for
the immediate exchanging of information for
scientific, educative and entertainment
purposes", according to a leading Dictionary
author, George Babiniotis.
Initially the internet was
linked to the office computer and one would
have to sit down at a desk in order to
connect to it. Then the laptop was invented,
which allowed one to carry it with them and
use it anywhere they wanted. Today,
one can carry the internet in their pocket,
by converting their mobile phone into a "smartphone".
However, we read in the newspapers that the
time is approaching when the internet will
literally be "on our person". These
are the generation of so-called "wearable
computers" - that is, accessories that are
made to be worn on the human body - which
for the time being are in the form of
bracelets or eyeglasses. Now, it
appears that the next step will be gadgets,
that is, electronic devices, that will
connect to the human body and in certain
instances actually interact with it, thus
leaving behind all the "passive" devices
that execute commands only when someone
gives them.
At present, certain
specialized electronic devices are being
designed: One such device is the so-called "Google
Glass", which will have the built-in
ability to record videos, take photos and
play music. This means the wearer of these
glasses will be able to record everything
and share it over the internet. Another new
device is Apple's "iWatch",
which is worn on the wrist like a normal
watch and is able to
execute iPhone and iPad
programs.
Of course, all of these
discoveries have been subject to criticism
that they undermine a person and destroy his
so-called "private life", given that a huge
volume of information will be accessible to
crafty individuals, thus putting society and
mankind at great risk. (Newspaper TA NEA, 3
April 2013).... hence justifying the
newspaper's title of "The Internet is upon
us!"
Finally, with all these new
technological discoveries, man has become
both victimizer and victim - a dependency-prone
being, permanently spying on other people's
lives - and this will of course raise the
issue of protecting one's private life.
Man
is striving to become a "god-human" with his
quest to achieve superior knowledge. This
trend reflects the Luciferian and the
Original sins, as well as the obsessive
tower-building of Babel, but also a desire
to dominate over one's fellow-man.
Dangerous
games such as these do have consequences,
both to one's physical health as well as
one's spiritual state, inasmuch as man's
mind becomes captivated by logic and by the
environment; he is conquered by thoughts, by
images and the imagination. His
perception becomes dulled - which is what
constituted the Original Sin from the
theological point of view.
This is a likewise fallen
state - a captivity of the mind. Man
is trapped, inside a reflection of his self
- inside a state of self-love.
Rehabilitation for getting
out of such a state is something that our
Church can provide, with Her esychastic
tradition.
