The Illusion Of Progress

"A tale of time and value"

"شبكة روايات التفاعلية- Riwayat Network Forum"

Amidst the old belongings I'd shelved for ages, by pure chance, I found them. Buried in these ancient, neglected items, lay a weathered manuscript, stiffened by time. It was the first novel I ever attempted during my university days, when a personal computer was a curious creature, I barely understood. This tale spun a story of a young man who discovers that his family are extraterrestrial beings. Yet, he conceals this secret and grapples with the realization that he, too, might be an alien, but chooses to live as an earthly human, deciding his own destiny. Drafted at the dawn of the millennium on Microsoft Word, it was printed on A4 sheets, then hidden away in a blue folder, surrounded by mountains of books.

 

Among Forgotten Things

I held the manuscript gently, opening it with caution. Memories flooded back of my first time writing it. I didn't own a computer back then. Instead, I frequented the newly opened ‘Bibliotheca Alexandrina.’ We're talking about the early 2000s here. I'd revel in going there from morning till evening, diving into forums I followed, writing stories or novels, learning new topics, conversing with friends across the globe. We'd delve into literature, poetry, arts, and cinema, sparingly touching upon politics. We believed the internet, especially the "Riwayat Network" forum, granted Arab youth a platform to connect beyond the constraints set by governments, politics, and societal norms. I was convinced that the artificial political borders between Arab countries would someday crumble, simply because they didn't represent any genuine divides in culture, traditions, language, or beliefs. We felt akin to a singular entity. Despite the many conflicts and disagreements amongst forum members, a strong foundation united us all.

 

Transition to a Globalized Era

Back then, I was brimming with naive optimism. I believed the internet and various technological tools would usher in a new chapter for humanity. They'd bridge distances, spread knowledge, and ignite millions of minds. I thought these communication tools would bond hearts, transcending geographical and societal boundaries. I was convinced that we were on the brink of an ideal global community. This was before we transitioned to the next phase.

After the proliferation of various forums, these dispersed spaces were consumed by behemoths like Facebook and Twitter, along with remnants of other social media platforms. These conglomerates coalesced the scattered members of diverse forums, pushing a peculiar trend towards globalizing individuals under a virtual reality dominated by a select few, imposing their unique set of rules coercively upon all their members.

This was a natural extension of the world's globalization movement under the control of economic conglomerates and multinational corporations. For a long while, I believed the internet could dismantle these conglomerates, restoring the world's diversity and disparities. But there was an unsettling feeling I sensed from everyone rushing to Facebook and Twitter at that time. It manifested in their words, actions, and the phrases they used, sending me signals of degradation and an urge to chase the fast-paced world.

 

Yearning for a Bygone Era

After a year or so, the forums I followed became barren, resembling a desert at midday. Reluctantly, and quite late, I migrated to Facebook. Initially puzzled, I kept searching for the group or place I'd heard had relocated to this Facebook oasis, but never found it. I wandered aimlessly, engaging in topics I found intriguing. However, a hostile spirit prevailed, peppered with mockery for those who couldn't adapt quickly. A rampant urge emerged to chase everything new, every update, every unique group, before anyone else could discover them. An insatiable desire to gain likes and comments proliferated. There was a narcissistic obsession without any limits or boundaries.

Gradually, the idea of combating different conglomerates faded, and the sense of Arab unity that had overshadowed us for many years under shared hobbies, ideas, and convictions vanished. Minor differences were magnified, and people's personalities began to mold under their influence. The concept of an Arab society surpassing politics and the absurdity of nation-states disappeared. Hard truths slowly unveiled, imposing themselves upon all dreams and hopes.

History and individuals repeated themselves without pondering the new opportunity presented to them and its potential for genuine change in humanity's trajectory. The internet offered everyone a chance to regroup through a different medium, free from the traditional constraints they resisted and suffered from. But they simply reshaped the same old nonsense in this new magical medium.

 

Twisted Crossroads

I didn't realize the depth of my shock until years later. But at that time, I just grew to despise the internet, longing for the world of forums amidst accusations of nostalgia and an inability to keep up with evolving trends. I didn't understand then that these so-called advancements were regressions from the civilizational path, not progress chasing the leading pack.

In that time, I tried a different approach. The internet became a long street for me, knocking on doors, seeking genuine friendships or shared interests. Yet, it grew complex, especially when trust in the person on the other end dwindled, and they cared more about accumulating likes and comments than genuine connection. I found myself retreating, observing from afar with little interaction.

Then came the deafening amplifier of it all: the trend. This obsession I sensed early on, this chase for progress or globalization or whatever you'd call it, crystallized in the concept of 'the trend' - what everyone's talking about. Tricks, deceptions, and even scams emerged in its wake.

 

In the Shadows of the Malevolent

Various cybercrimes spread, both psychological and financial, the dark web emerged. The internet began extracting humanity's worst facets. It was as if all that society had suppressed, the public sphere, the traditions and customs, found an explosive outlet online.

Yes, this tech spread knowledge and enhanced communication, but it also fed our selfishness, our lies, our greed. Technological advancement raced ahead, but our moral compass remained stagnant.

I realized, all too late, that technological progress doesn't necessarily mean civilizational evolution. It might even signify the decline of civilization, the regression of humanity within the species, bringing forth the ugliest parts of the human psyche. The signs were always there, I just didn't see them. I lived through wars on Iraq, Afghanistan, and remembered Vietnam. All wars led by the technologically advanced against those weaker, fighting guerrilla warfare amongst their own people. All these wars wouldn't have occurred without technological progress paired with a lagging civilization that boasts such technology.

Recall how humanity dropped the first atomic bombs on fellow humans just to test its effects. All these wars, the strong against the weaker, culminating in the atrocities against unarmed Palestinians in Gaza and Palestine.

 

Lost in Progress

Technology doesn't lead to enlightenment; it may, in fact, do the opposite. This lie was forged in the dreamy phase of the early 20th century before the world confronted the fate its own actions had designed. Technology is but an amplifier, echoing our deep-rooted values and intents. I was deceived into believing that scientific advancement meant moral progression; that mastering our world would refine humanity's raw edges.

The notion of progress, so gloriously celebrated, is but a mirage that hasn't truly led to any humane evolution. We often mistake the glow of screens for enlightenment, the hum of machines for wisdom. But what of the progress of civilization? The advancement of the human spirit, the collective conscience, the shared values that bind us?

In my endless daydreams and tireless imaginations, I envision a world devoid of technology. A realm where the chirp of birds replaces notifications, where the setting sun is our clock, and where conversations happen face-to-face, soul-to-soul. I ponder upon the possibility: could such a world be the ideal environment for the civilizational and intellectual evolution of mankind? Does the possession of technological tools and tricks ultimately lead to the loss of our civilizational capacities, our very humanity? Does it blur the lines of moral and spiritual values?

 

A Quest for Genuine Connection

In this imagined world, perhaps we'd be closer to our true selves, unburdened by the weight of relentless innovation. Without the constant bombardment of information, maybe we'd rediscover the art of contemplation, the joy of simple pleasures, the beauty of silence.

The technology, while it connects us globally, often distances us from our inner selves, from our neighbors, from the very earth that cradles us. Could it be that in the absence of this digital deluge, we'd find ourselves more attuned to our own humanity, our shared stories, our collective dreams?

In poetic simplicity, as the world races ahead, maybe it's worth pausing, reflecting, and wondering: Do we lose a part of our soul with every new invention? Do we trade away the essence of who we are for fleeting conveniences? A world less technological might just be a world more connected, more humane, more true to itself.