Screen distractions are the new siren song 

Odysseus and his crew had set sail for home. Though triumphant in the war effort against the Trojans, the hero and his colleagues were battle weary and longed to return to their beloved Ithaca.

However, their journey would be arduous and, for some, deadly. Odysseus had been warned in prophecy that his journey would last a decade and would be rife with trials and obstacles, thus he had avoided the journey to Troy as long as possible, but fate has a way of putting you in places whether you want to go or not. 

Along the way the sailors set eyes on a delightful looking island. It appeared to be a paradise in the midst of the seas, with rolling green hills well suited for rest and the opportunity to hunt for food. But the astute leader recognized the danger that lurked therein and knew the island was just a simulacrum of a safe harbor. 

Odysseus recognized the island as the home of the feared Sirens, the half-woman, half-bird creatures that lure victims to their demise with a song that no human ears can resist. Deftly Odysseus forced his comrades to stop up their ears with beeswax. Instead of securing his own auditory orifices, he ordered the men to tie him to the ship’s mast, so he could at least hear the alluring sound but would have no power to steer the vessel ashore. 

With preparations complete the ship sailed past. The crew safely navigated the treacherous strait, while Odysseus heard the tempting tune of the Sirens and lived to tell the tale. 

This tale was included in the epic poem “The Odyssey” by Greek poet Homer. Thankfully the Sirens are just a mythological deadly distraction, but our world is full of things attempting to steal our attention and distract us from our goals. I have written before of my disdain for technology, particularly screens, yet I write this surrounded by them. 

I’m sitting in the crosshairs of all the information in the world. Every few minutes something breaks my concentration: a news alert, message, email or phone call. The machines are worse than a needy child, they always want attention. 

There’s mounting research that reveals our increasing digital connectivity is quite detrimental to our health. Depression and anxiety levels are through the roof, increasing sedentary lifestyles have taken its toll and then some of physical health and fitness and people have died because their devices have become literal Siren songs and distracted them while they should have been paying attention. 

It’s enough to make you want to toss your devices in the river, though you’d feel guilty about the fish getting hooked on TikTok.

That being said, I like living in this age of convenience. I don’t want to go back to a time when I couldn’t get food brought to my front door or access health care through an app. I remember what it is like to live without the constant distraction, though in my day the older generations were wailing against the Walkman and increased television programming. My kids on the other hand don’t, and I’ve found that it is a constant battle to break a screen addiction. As far as they know the best way to contact someone is through social media and the best entertainment must be bought through a streaming service. 

It is a fine, near impossible, line to walk teaching to use and not abuse electronics. No matter what you are doing these days, the screen is always calling out to you. 

Maybe Odysseus had the right idea.  

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