Our perception of reality is deeply influenced by technology in several interwoven ways
shaping not only what we experience technologically but also how we interpret and prioritize those experiences in reality. Here are a few key angles:
1. Mediated Experience
Technology mediates much of our reality—especially through screens. News, social media, and entertainment filter what we see, often through personalized algorithms. This can create:
- Echo chambers, where we mostly see views similar to our own.
- Filter bubbles, where algorithms shape our worldview by narrowing exposure.
- Hyperreality, a term from Baudrillard, is where media representations become more real or emotionally engaging than actual experiences.
2. Augmented Perception
Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and even smartphone cameras add layers to the physical world that change how we see and interact with it. For example:
- Navigation apps alter how we perceive space—we rely less on memory or intuition.
- AR filters shift how people see themselves and others, even affecting self-esteem and identity.
Also Read: How Technology Is Becoming a Threat to Humanity, Making War Easier but More Lethal
3. Attention and Time
Tech, especially apps and platforms designed for engagement, modifies
- Our attention spans make quick feedback more desirable.
- Our sense of time, with constant notifications and updates fracturing continuous thought and creating a kind of digital “presentism”—a relentless now.
4. Reality vs. Virtuality
As more of our lives move online (relationships, work, education), the line between “real” and “virtual” becomes blurred:
- Digital spaces like the metaverse or MMORPGs feel real in terms of emotion, investment, and social status.
- Deepfakes and AI-generated content challenge what we can trust as “authentic.”
5. Empathy and Distance
Technology expands empathy by exposing us to other perspectives (e.g., through documentaries, global news, or virtual travel). At the same time, it can:
- Desensitize us with constant exposure to tragedy or conflict.
- Create emotional distance, where interactions lose nuance compared to face-to-face contact.
In essence, technology doesn’t just extend our senses—it reshapes them. It alters what we prioritize, how we interpret events, and even how we define what is real. The key challenge is to stay aware of those shifts so that our tools serve us rather than shape us blindly.