/the social dilemma_ of an Engineer

No, I did not steal the title from Jeff Orlowski; I borrowed it.

Having watched Netflix's The Social Dilemma recently, I certainly gained a fresh insight into the tech world but did not find myself acquiring any newfound knowledge. This smooth familiarity with reduced tech usage is perhaps the result of having invested a bulky chunk of my time drafting articles, creating guides, and building Open Source products regarding the same.

Concerning the movie, the outputs remain targeted to aid the layman and not the developers. The extensive use of anecdotal episodes and unrestricted storytelling made it easy for the novice to grasp complex concepts like algorithms and machine learning.
Kudos to Netflix for the fabulous job! The critics and the appreciators of the movie are all welcome to contribute their inputs in the comment section.

Now, having reviewed the movie, let's head towards the emerging question, shall we?

What is our role in this?

I recall discussing this hypothetical situation about your company abusing its users and asking whether you would express loyalty to the company or ethicality towards humankind. The outcome of the responses was varied, and I could not conclude the right step to be taken, as is the case with a majority of philosophical debates. But after seeing the addiction of the inventors of tech gadgets in the documentary, it was pretty clear to me that following the ethical trail is rewarding in the long-term. This made me realise how the techies can perform certain actions to influence people and create awareness about the downside of gadgets and technology.

Here are the key steps I believe we as developers can formulate to bring a change.

1. Educate:

We as developers might not be as unaffected by technology as the masses, but we are conscious and aware of its perks and pitfalls. And so we must undertake the task of educating people about the threat of technology.
When I used to come across a person with their head shoved into the phone, I transformed into a preacher of health intending to help them understand the damaging effects of prolonged gadget use. Although people didn't greet me affectionately post-lecture, I continued, and I would choose to believe it has bettered the lifestyle of a handful of people.
One does not always have to go the high way here, start with guiding your family and friends. It's all about taking efficient steps to bring change and not an immediate giant leap.

2. Innovate

You possess the masterful ability to ponder, so imagine innovative solutions to appeal to the masses.
I started XenoX to accomplish this purpose, to unite with fresh talent and design a productive solution that will spark a discussion regarding these issues and will eventually encourage people to apply these methods in real life.
In the past few years, a lot of people have crafted tons of creative projects. I hope this culture continues while we try to support people in every manner possible.

3. Inspire

Three years ago, I ditched Facebook and Instagram.
My friends wondered about my whereabouts while I enjoyed the peaceful harmony I had attained. When they questioned me about my social media abstinence, I described it as a permanent detox I was undergoing. A year later, they dropped these platforms as well.
Irrespective of the factor that sparked the change, this counts as a slow and steady reform.
Also, I still stand true to my oath and only maintain Twitter and LinkedIn for work purposes and yes, the aim of quitting social media is definitely achievable.

Can't figure out whether you are addicted, or are in denial?
Here's a quick test:
Just pick a social media platform, preferably the one that consumes most of your screen time, and try to survive without it for a week. Eradicate its existence from your memory and perceive the effects it has on you. When you reflect upon your relationship with tech, you'll open your eyes to the unnecessary toxicity you are cradling in your life.

To sum up, I'd like to add; we started this, we can fix it.
It's never too late until it is.

Enough with the monologue, let's keep the conversation going. Gear up your termination strategies, share your ideas in the comment section and hit us up if you notice an additional solution to cease this emerging crisis.

Thanks a lot for reading. If you have feedback or would like to present an idea, you can reach out to me on Twitter, @sarthology. I will soon be starting a new series on our latest blog, LastMocha, about being more Productive and achieving Digital Detox. Do subscribe!