“I want to know why is it so? 

Look, to me it seems a kind of slavery. We just go to our workplaces on daily basis. Then, when we are done with our job we come back to our home to be with our family if we are living with them or else some other place where we are residing. Then there we try to have some entertainment, food or whatever else that help one relax and then go to sleep. I think at least that is what I believe is happening.” Pamu explained misery of his life while staring at Viru

“Ha… that is true for almost every sector. I firmly believe it is slavery, unless you are doing it out of your own will and not under any compulsion. Also it is very difficult to reject compulsion factor in many cases, where people have to do jobs unlike their own likings because of survival or other necessity. 

When you join some company, firm whichever it is, then you agree to provide your services in exchange for some monetary or other gains. In many cases that makes people’s lives very robotic.” Viru replied

“Ha… That happens in most of the cases. Some are forced due to several factors like survival to do that.”

“But that is not all. There is much more. Like, nowadays we have numerous means where we pass our time. For instance, we have numerous social media platforms, online entertainment media and so on. 

Most of the people take refuge in the entertainment, luxury and so on to relieve the stress. That has become another gateway to channelise so called work exhaustion or stress.”

“At least they help us provide refuge from this daily drudgery, don’t they?” Pamu asked

“Refuge ha… If you think likewise, then you are then misguided…

They rather, what I believe perpetuate people’s slavery.” Viru responded 

“Slavery? And how is that?”

“Look it is not so complicated to understand…. They keep us engaged just like drugs or alcohol do. It keeps us away from reality. We take satisfaction by engaging in this virtual world, where people are not original, but rather virtual. They try to mask their real identities and portray what they are actually not. They feel happy if they get numerous likes and feel bad or depressed if the case is otherwise.” 

“But, what is bad about it?” Pamu asked in confusion

“I am not saying it is bad. What I am trying to imply is just my experience. It is up to you whether to accept or not. 

What I feel is that such media be it social media or other platforms, and other online entertainment means keep us distractedly engrossed or apparently entertained. 

What happens is that there we find refuge, time passes too swiftly and by the time we realise that it is already too late. 

Have you experienced that?” 

“Ha…but that is what helps me in having some relief. I generally embrace that means for passing time only.” 

“Ha that might be the case with you. I think it is the case, with the majority of the people. 

Look what happens or at least my experience is that when we are away or basically offline from such media then at least in my case, the mind gets space to wander be it good, bad or else. It allows us to scrutinise ourselves, our priorities and likings, interests. 

Basically it forces people to think, which itself is a very difficult task. 

“Most of the people take refuge in the entertainment, luxury and so on to relieve the stress. That has become another gateway to channelise so called work exhaustion or stress…”

It is human’s proclivity, which I believe we have on inheritance, to avoid what is difficult and choose the easiest path. Here, the online or virtual world seems to be most attractive and very easy to access. And now with the digital revolution, when accessing it has become so cheap or as good as free, it has become a vital part of life or rather I would say it has become life itself.”

“Yes… That might be the case. I don’t deny that.”

“You cannot… Anyway, let’s talk about job.”

WORK AND FREEDOM

“Look, regardless of our liking we need to do that. If we don’t do that, how will we be able to survive? We will have no means of survival we need food, shelter and other basic necessities. Without money, we cannot have those needs fulfilled.”

“True. Exactly we need to work to have our necessities fulfilled. But, are social media and other virtual media our necessity as  means of an entertainment?

I don’t believe so.”  Viru said

“I contradict you here. Entertainment is a necessity to have a fulfilled life.”

“True, it is our need. But you need to have entertainment which makes you feel fulfilled not make you end up exhausted. I think even entertainment should be creative, productive and nourishing.  The type which you are advocating is energy-draining. 

I never feel fulfilled..it is mere consumption of the content.

Look, human is a social animal. We need to have contacts, dialogue with each other and so on. In virtual world it is different. One just land on a platform and starts consuming content be it reels and other engaging posts.”

“Ha… that may be true. People in many cases mask their true feelings when engaging. But, still I believe it is effective medium for one to express oneself.” 

“I have always believed that people use language not to express their feelings, but rather to hide what they truly are. In many cases people flaunt off to portray their grandness or likewise. But, the main question remains… Are we really who we try to express on such platforms? I think each need to think about answer to this question.”

“So, basically we are slaves… Is that what you are saying? 

“Yes, we are. As an employee, you give your time to your firm, which in turn pays you for your work or penalises you if you commit a mistake. 

Then you remain engaged on one platform or the other for the sake of entertainment. We even refuse to give time to our family members, relatives and friends. Entertainment or rather consumption of the content which keeps us blissfully engaged, becomes our priority.”

“Ha… it is the fact. Even my family complains against me on that issue.”

“Then you tell me, what are you?”

“Unlike earlier I can be called a modern slave.” Pamu replied is silent defeated tone 

“You need not worry. I think, that is the case with the majority of the people. It is not limited to that. There is much more. 

Like, we have become slaves to materialistic pleasures, like we keep accumulating things needlessly, primarily due to the influence of the advertisement industry or marketing strategies.”

“Hmm … Marketing tactics that such companies use are so seductive. When we are unable to buy we feel jealous or carry a fear of missing out. Many resort to borrowing beyond their means just to buy those needless thing to show off.” Pamu said 

“Exactly..that is also the type of slavery. I think…”  

“Then what should we do? Is there any way to break shatters of such slavery?” Pamu asked 

“Look practically speaking we are so deep in this quagmire,  it seems very difficult, though not impossible to come out.

For that, we need to know our true nature which is to meditate on self. Spending time with self, allows the mind to wander. Here we need to embrace some boredom and alone time. In solitude, our true nature will start to come to the surface if we allow it. 

Also, when we wish to engage with someone we should prioritise face-to-face conversation, rather than virtual talks. That need not necessarily mean that it is bad or so. Even when we are connecting virtually there is need to create deep connections rather than foolish gossips. Also, consumption of content should not be mindless just to kill some time or so. It should be mindful and should be to make one wholesome.”

“But, what about money? How can one survive without it?” Pamu asked 

“But you need to have entertainment which makes you feel fulfilled not make you end up exhausted. I think even entertainment should be creative, productive and nourishing.”

“Look… we all should do some work. It is better if one is to find where one feels fulfilled rather than drained and exhausted. Or we should explore ways to monetise or start work by ourselves where one find happiness and realise one’s true nature. It may risky but worth trying. 

Obviously, that depends on the person. There is no doubt money truly matters and matters a lot. 

If person somehow finds happiness in doing what one likes and also get money from there, the life would be like heaven. 

If one does what does not like then even if one puts one in heaven that would turn out to be hell.

And here let me clear, what one does not like means I am saying area or discipline. One should not take it as efforts, persistence, patience, curiosity, fortitude and many other things that are required to achieve mastery field.” Viru explained

“Hmm..you are right. Certainly, if we put efforts into particular discipline or area that we like misery will no longer be one. There will be fulfilment and even freedom. 

I will do my best to come out of this slavery. Hopefully, others will realise and will attempt to break shackles of the slavery.” Pamu said in hope

“Certainly… I wish same. And I wish you all the best wishes to shatter slavery and embrace freedom even in this era of so called modern slavery.” Vir replied as he took leave