What Are We Busy About?

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 3 January 2025 This pertains to Paul Craig Roberts' thought-provoking write up, "Western Humanity in Death Throes: Digital Revolution, AI, And Transhumanism Eliminating Human Communication." The problem with humans is that we erroneously think that with all these 'advancements,' we're creatively, constructively and technologically busy and intellectually engaged. That's wrong! It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about ? The question highlights an essential aspect of human existence. It reminds us that busyness alone is not a measure of productivity or fulfilment. Throughout our lives, we often find ourselves caught up in the relentless pursuit of tasks, responsibilities, and obligations. However, this thought prompts us to reflect on the purpose and significance of our busyness. It encourages us to evaluate whether we are truly engaging in meaningful activities that contribute to our personal growth, well-being, and the betterment of the world around us. In essence, this very question urges us to consider the quality, rather than the mere quantity, of our busy lives. We're busy with running others down. Meddling in other people's lives is how some avoid dealing with their own. We're busy with the so-called technological strides that we're making. But we're ignoring the human and humane side to our existence. We're busy with noise and chaos, forgetting that all profound things and emotions of things are preceded and attended by silence. In a world filled with noise and distractions, silence serves as the backdrop against which profound thoughts and emotions can flourish. It is in moments of solitude and stillness that one can truly introspect and find the depth of their emotions. Silence also acts as a potent catalyst, amplifying the impact of profound experiences, as it allows individuals to fully immerse themselves in the intensity and intricacies of their feelings. This reminds us of the power and necessity of silence in truly understanding and appreciating the profound aspects of life. Digital revolution has made our life chaotic, nay, shambolic. We all have stopped reading, thinking and introspecting. We're not even reading newspapers, let alone books and tomes. Instead, we're busy watching Death's Danse Macabre that's going on across the globe. Voltaire said, "Let us read and let us dance—two amusements that will never do any harm to the world." Alas, our idea of innocuous amusements has drastically changed in today's dehumanised times. We've become zombies and slaves to our own creations (or concoctions?) which we mistake for advancements. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/digital-revolution-noise-distractions/d/134230 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism