What Would They Think Of Us?

Summary

The poem "What Would They Think Of Us?" reflects on the modern obsession with digital validation and the superficiality of online interactions, contrasting it with the authentic connections of the past.

Abstract

"What Would They Think Of Us?" is a contemplative poem that delves into the societal shifts brought about by technology. It questions how previous generations might view our current digital behaviors, such as our reliance on social media for validation, our preference for digital interactions over real-life experiences, and our tendency to present curated versions of ourselves online. The poem suggests a sense of disconnection and self-absorption in our technology-driven world, where genuine human interactions are often replaced by the pursuit of likes, followers, and online presence. It also touches on the irony of missing out on life's beauty while being preoccupied with capturing it for digital consumption. The author, Jonathan Greene, prompts readers to consider the depth of their engagement with the world and each other in the age of digital technology.

Opinions

The author critiques the shallowness of digital interactions, suggesting they lack the depth of face-to-face communication.
There is a perception that society has become more self-centered, focusing on personal image and online validation rather than meaningful engagement with the world.
The poem conveys a sense of loss for the authenticity of past interactions, contrasting the genuine connections of previous generations with the performative nature of modern social media.
It questions the authenticity of online personas, highlighting the discrepancy between curated digital identities and true selves.
The author points out the irony of how technology, meant to connect us, often leads to disconnection and a preoccupation with trivial digital interactions at the expense of real-life experiences.
There is an underlying concern about the impact of social media on society's ability to engage in thoughtful debate and maintain meaningful relationships.
The poem suggests that the pursuit of online approval may stem from insecurities and a desire for validation, which in turn fuels self-hatred and a cycle of seeking external affirmation.

A Poem

What would they think of us? Surveying the landscape of digital hypocrisy and watching us bastardize our lives for everyone to see Would they judge us for our wrongs or cradle us tight to shield us from our impending ego death?

They never thought they would see this Us, looking through our phones to see something right in front of us but instead of appreciating it we are appropriating it as content for likes and rewards Technological ephemera turning us into a hologram of misplaced energy and melancholy mirroring

What would they think about how we rage-Tweet our dismay instead of engaging in thoughtful debate amongst our peers? How we troll anonymously because we are insecure and cyberstalk each other for the same reason They used to look into each other’s eyes We look into eyes, on a screen with a preview of ourselves in the upper corner So we can focus on ourselves while “focusing” on others

What would they think about the state of the world? They went through other maladies but was society ever this vapid? Would they even understand that it’s so much worse than it seems because they would be so untrained in the subtle art of the humblebrag? Would they even get why we do what we do or why we need so many selfies to feel better about ourselves even though we know we are fueled by self-hatred lathered over our delicately curated imagery

What would they think of our Facebook page that we use to stay connected but connect with others by talking about the minutia of happenstance and shorthand nonsensical nomenclature? What would they think when they see us sitting on a park bench scrolling through Tinder when a rainbow and the partner of our dreams are right in front of us? Unseen Ignored as they would be if they were still here to see what we’ve become

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