Summary

The poem "Look At Us" by Jonathan Greene reflects on the modern society's preoccupation with technology, lamenting the loss of genuine human connection and the inability to live in the present due to digital distractions.

Abstract

"Look At Us" is a poignant reflection on the state of human interaction in the digital age. The poem critiques the way smartphones and social media have created a culture of digital avatars, where individuals are more engaged with their devices than with the people and world around them. It suggests that this obsession with virtual presence has led to a neglect of real-life experiences, reducing people to mere consumers who are more concerned with their online image than with authentic living. The author, Jonathan Greene, presents a stark contrast between the richness of direct experience and the shallowness of a life lived through screens, questioning the progress society has made with technology that supposedly brings people closer. The poem ultimately calls for a reevaluation of our relationship with technology, urging readers to look up from their devices and reengage with the tangible world.

Opinions

The author believes that society is too focused on digital notifications and social media, at the expense of being present in real-life interactions.
There is a critique of the modern tendency to multitask excessively, suggesting that this habit detracts from the quality of experiences.
The poem expresses a concern that people are becoming avatars of themselves, prioritizing online personas over genuine self-expression.
Jonathan Greene points out the irony in how technology, which is meant to connect us, actually leads to missing out on true human connection.
The text suggests that the constant drive to record and share our lives online is a form of narcissism that prevents us from fully experiencing the beauty of the moment.
The author criticizes the rationalization of excessive technology use as "staying ahead of the curve," implying that this is a misguided perspective.
There is a sense of disillusionment with the promise of technology bringing people closer, as the author views it as a facade that has commercial interests at its core.
The poem conveys a sense of urgency for individuals to reassess their use of technology and to become more aware of the world around them.

Look At Us

A Poem

Look at what we’ve become A simulation of ourselves One that stares down at a phone and ignores the present The present isn’t a notification about a new follower or an update for your favorite app The present is what’s in front of you What you are missing While you rumple downward in casual conversation to check something and ignore me The person you are talking to

Look at the walking zombies on the street ignoring their footsteps in favor of a video because God forbid we aren’t always doing two things at once We are an avatar of ourselves A bad one One that is missing out on all the good Taking a photo of nature and then moving to the next without inhaling the sweet smell Of unfiltered air and the sounds of silence

Look at us recording ourselves to send a video to our followers who are also recording themselves So we pass each other on the narcissistic WiFi network consuming us slowly and highlighting the residue of a life less lived And we don’t care because we don’t even know all we are missing that isn’t on that screen

Look at us hyper-rationalizing our technological temperament and Internet idiocy as staying ahead of the curve But we should be behind the curve watching the rest of the world walk into the bend

Look at us How proud we must be to have progressed so far with technology that brings us closer But that was a farce It all is Everything is a sale We are a mark And we’ve been taken along with all of our personal information Just look at us if you dare take a moment to look up

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