Every day, we are surrounded by screens. Powerful computers collect, process and exchange information on us and on our behalf. Hot food and cold drinks delivered to our doorstep in all weathers are just a mobile app click away. There are kilometres of electrical wiring in vehicles. Getting around is easier than ever, yet we are in a hurry. To the extent that the automatic function completes our sentences and on instant messaging platforms we write in flashes of thumbs. Every year, we delegate more and more seemingly trivial daily tasks to (digital) technology to manage, freeing up our time and increasing our capacity to finally get on with what has been put off for so long.
But then you have to answer emails and take your vehicle in for maintenance. A screen that’s been knocked out means your smart device needs replacing, and without it we feel uneasy. You then have to book an appointment with your physician and work an hour longer to keep up with the increasing charges. By the time it’s all done, it’s getting late and energy reserves are exhausted. Are such paradoxes of modern times inevitable? Does the rise in living standards match the quality of life? If there are core values to being human, can rediscovering and practising them have a positive impact on our lives?
We are more extraordinary than any technology. Our brains and nervous systems are capable of impressive achievements if we choose to respect their potential. So it is essential that we learn to trust our innate capacity. It doesn’t take a lot of time or money, but it does require awareness and a will for consistent practise. In the highly stimulating world of cyberspace and the Internet of Things (IoT), an individual who can express themselves with paper and pen without becoming agitated is a rarity. In a world of fragmented attention, your thinking is holistic and your focus is deep. You can read a book and use your imagination. Mind’s Eye is your cinema, with a visualisation studio that is able to handle different concepts with puzzling playfulness. Your intelligence lies in your ability to make connections. You do not need quick entertainment because you are content. Confident in your skills, free from dependency and experiencing the inspiring thrust of freedom. These are ARTiK’s core values of being human.
We believe that technology is a good enabler, yet a silent master in many lives if not understood properly. While we value and use a variety of digital solutions, we do so with stoic moderation. Because, as the legendary Naksitrall Sammalhabe knew: there must be balance in nature!
