I’ve written before about my sense that what we’re doing, in our incessant and habitual checking of our devices, is looking for reassurance.

For many of us, it’s a way of settling the restless, anxious, fearful longing that arises from a world that’s always shifting and from the sense that there’s nowhere solid to stand.

Rather than turn towards the longing, to explore it and know it and be changed by it, we numb it by turning away into our devices. Perhaps, we think, we’ll see the message or news item or tweet that will show us everything is alright, that we don’t need to feel so afraid or uncertain any more.

And, of course, such a message can never come. The momentary soothing of our jitteriness is soon over, and we reach impulsively again for a glowing screen that we hope can save us.

I saw this short film for the first time this week. It shows us clearly what we’re doing, and some of the consequences.

Photo Credit: kevin dooley via Compfight cc