The digital age is a thing of pride and apprehension both. Coupled with the advances in technology that marks a progressive evolution of mankind, simultaneously the human afflictions are undergoing changes as well.

In one of our earlier posts we had spoken about Digital Darwinism emerging as a shadow phenomena. Businesses are coping it with much difficulty; an inescapable honey trap of sorts.

Reading an interesting post by Man Repeller, I was acquainted with another such digital malady of our generation - the FOMD.

Fear of Missing Documentation or FOMD is a social disease that creates a constant urge in people to be found on digital media. It's more of a pyscological craving to be a digital addict. The fault is not ours, our generation lives in a technological bubble, waiting to burst any moment. To leave behind a digital footprint be it in the form of photos, places or interests, the need is substantial. Yet there is an air of superficiality that is piling on in this act.
To look at the origins of this phenomena, we can easily call FOMD as the ugly step sister of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) phenomena. The last decade saw the evolution of Facebook and a host of social networking sites that have become staples in our schedules. FOMD seems just a carry over of that.

The chronic symptoms of this social disease are constant obssession with tabs and phones, picture clicking session at the every beck and call, low battery anxiety and a dissociation with the moment. In fact, technology is not to be blamed for any of this. It is rather the human tendencies that falls victim to overuse and addiction. In fact, as a generation we are collectively missing out on the finer things in life due to this 'obsessive inertia'.

Opening Facebook to check at constant intervals, tweeting something mindlessly or uploading pictures of tom, dick and harry on Instagram is a reflection of a socially constructed life we have cultivated to look hip and cool. Getting "likes" or retweets is the new mission statement. Baffling, isn't it?

Interestingly, I could instantly connect with Repeller's words since all of us are part of this vicious cycle. There can be no denial.

Leave aside the social media addiction at a personal level, our livelihoods have become so intertwined with social media that imagining business operations without it seems an ancient ritual now. As businesses, these platforms and the graphical advantages offered has become an inevitable part of our advertising regimen. Be it a product launch, a company ceremony or interacting with the consumers, why even offering a new line of apps to add to the existing armor of technology, these platforms cannot be done away with.

The heart of the irony is that this obssession is all about capturing and documenting the moments rather than being present in it. We take pride in calling ourselves Marketers, but what about being Connectors when we are actually in love with virtuality?

What are your thoughts about a technology-break and a sabbatical? Can businesses afford this? Leave us a reply in the section below.

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