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Today, I attended a lecture by Professor Marcin Matczak that touched on law, politics, religion, and the impact of technology on our future. One part of his talk stood out—the way smartphones and social media are reshaping our generation and society as a whole. As someone who’s grown up with these technologies, I found his observations compelling and a good reason to reflect on how we use them.
A World Without Stories
Professor Matczak pointed out something striking about platforms like Instagram: “There is no narrative in Instagram reels—there is a middle with no beginning or end.” Unlike books, films, or even longer YouTube videos, which follow a structure that allows us to reflect and connect with the content, reels drop us into the middle of something fleeting.
For our generation, this aligns with how we’re taught to process information. We’ve become highly skilled at scanning images and digesting bite-sized content. It’s useful in some ways, like helping us adapt to the overwhelming flow of information online, but it also limits our ability to engage with more complex narratives. Stories—those with a beginning, middle, and end—are how humans traditionally find meaning, and the absence of that structure could make it harder for us to think critically or long-term.
I can see where he’s coming from. While I wouldn’t say we’re incapable of deep thinking, it’s clear that the way we consume content on platforms like Instagram doesn’t encourage it. It’s something we should be mindfull of as we navigate a world increasingly dominated by quick, image-based interactions.
The Cycle of Emptiness
Professor Matczak described how social media can lead to a repetitive and unsatisfying cycle: “After watching a few Instagram videos, a person enters a state of emptiness, which usually leads to watching even more videos.” This isn’t just about addiction but about the kind of engagement these platforms encourage.
It’s not that everyone feels this “emptiness” the same way, but it’s hard to ignore how easy it is to loose track of time while scrolling. Platforms are designed to keep us coming back for more, with algorithms that predict what we want to see next. It’s not necessarily about blaming users but understanding the mechanics behind it.
Will AI Make Things Worse?
During the lecture, someone asked about artificial intelligence and whether it could make phone addiction worse. Professor Matczak had an interesting take: he doesn’t think AI will fundamentally worsen the problem. Instead, he argued that the challenges we face today—like how addicted people already are to their phones—won’t disappear, but AI won’t create entirely new problems in this area either.
He explained that AI algorithms already power much of the content we see on social media. They’re designed to learn from us, predicting our habits and preferences to keep us engaged. However, AI could also be used to help manage these issues. For instance, it might create tools to encourage healthier habits, such as limiting screen time or offering alternative ways to engage with technology.
This was an interesting point because it reframed the issue. It’s not about whether AI is good or bad—it’s about how we choose to use it. That puts the responsibility on us to find ways to make technology work for us instead of against us.
Phones as the New Cigarettes
One comment that really stuck with me was when Professor Matczak said, “In 20 years we will look at phones the same way we look at children smoking cigarettes now.” It’s a bold comparison, but it makes sense. Just as society eventually recognized the harmful effects of smoking, we might one day realize how much damage excessive phone use has caused—whether to our attention spans, mental health, or relationships.
It’s not about demonizing phones but about understanding their long-term effects. Right now, it’s so normal to see people glued to their screens, especially in public places. The question is, will we regret the time we spent staring at them instead of engaging with the world around us?
Moving Forward
Professor Matczak’s lecture wasn’t about fearmongering—it was about raising awareness. He emphasized that technology itself isn’t inherently harmful. It’s how we use it that matters. His message felt less like a critique and more like a reminder to think critically about our habits and priorities.
For our generation, this is especially important. We’ve grown up immersed in this technology, so it’s easy to take it for granted. But if we step back and reflect on how we use phones and social media, we can make choices that align with what we truly value.
What I took away from today’s lecture is that it’s not about rejecting technology but about finding balance. By using tools like AI responsibly and being intentional about how we spend our time online, we can ensure that these technologies enhance our lives rather than diminish them.
Article partly made with the use of AI
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