Technology has given us a lot of advancements in almost every area of our lives. For one, it has made us more connected with more people anywhere in the world and it has also given us access to a wealth of information out there. However, in the process of being connected, made ua unaware of the development of a new set of neuroses.
David McCandless, author of the book "Knowledge is Beautiful" has identified what he calls "inter mental" disorders that a lot of us have been suffering without any consciousness that we are already suffering them. The names are hilarious but also eye-opening. Here are some of them:
Smart Tick
This disorder is described by a compulsion to fill any gap - no matter how brief it is, by checking your smartphone. For example, your companion left you alone for for a minute, you then reach for your smartphone and check it. Moreoever, you check it from time to time without the other party noticing it; hence, the name 'smart tick.'
Dingeing
It's a portmanteau of digital and binge. This is what you feel after being separated from your device for a number of hours. After seeing it again, it feels like you have reunited with a long-lost friend or lover.
Devorce
Devorce is the state of a couple who are together but instead of talking, they are both buried deep into their own devices. They even message and email each other even if they are just one-inch away from each other.
Online Identity Disturbance
You feel your ego is bruised and insulted when your virtual persona gets a barrage of insults. You feel a deep connection with your virtual self that you could not see the difference between anymore.
Backlog Depression
This is the stress you feel when you haven't read your emails for the day. Most of the time, you only feel relieved after you attained 'inbox zero.' However, when a new set of email comes, you feel the stress once again.
Wiki-ism
This disorder makes the person feel gleeful every time he is able to debunk any information that does not pass the "Wikipedia gold standard." He is always on the lookout where the other person got their source. McClandess describes wiki-ists as racists who disregard everyone outside their group or anyone who they think have 'lower grade' objective reasoning.
Critical Flaccidity
This is the opposite of wiki-ists because they believe everything they read online. They are gullible and think that the news they have just read on Facebook is 100% true. Flaccidity is often exhibited around subjects the person favors.
