Digital Hypocrisy
Digital hypocrisy reveals our shared human vulnerabilities. This stepping stone exposes the generational paradox where Boomers spend hours scrolling through social media or watching videos while simultaneously complaining about Zoomers being "always on their phones."
The examples are numerous: the news addict who consumes biased content then criticizes short-form videos, the social media scroller who can't put down their phone during family gatherings, the gaming grandparent who plays addictive mobile games for hours. These technologies are engineered to be addictive. They are digital drugs designed by behavioral psychologists to exploit our brain's dopamine reward system.
Vulnerability to digital addiction crosses generational lines. If roles were reversed, Boomers would face these addictive technologies without the benefit of growing awareness, digital literacy education, or public discourse about screen time. The ancient Greeks like Crates of Thebes warned us to "consider your own" faults rather than judging others, while the Bible consistently emphasizes self-examination before criticizing others.
We need to recognize our own addictions before criticizing others, approach the issue with humility rather than judgment, and focus on solutions rather than blame. We are all subject to the same human weaknesses, and the right path requires self-awareness and compassion for all who struggle with addiction, including ourselves.