"Those who stole our sacred geometry have forgotten their true selves. Cursed to walk those monuments are they. Foolish princess, have you forgotten too?"

Recently, I had the chance to play "Monument Valley," a story-driven indie game that raises critical questions as players progress through its beautifully designed levels. While playing this game, I started to daydream about the complex relationship between humans and machines.

In our effort to improve our lives as modern beings, it's crucial to understand our relationship with machines and how they affect us in both good and bad ways. We need to consider the short-term and long-term effects on individuals and our collective behavior as a society. Smartwatches, fitness trackers, and productivity apps have become essential tools in our daily lives. These devices provide constant feedback on our activities, whether it's the time spent sitting, working, or sleeping. They encourage us to adopt healthier habits, but this constant monitoring also raises important questions about our dependence on machine approval.

Studies show that while electronic monitoring can boost productivity, it often comes at the cost of increased stress and decreased well-being. For instance, research on remote workers during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that increased surveillance led to higher levels of stress and a blurring of boundaries between work and personal life. A survey by the American Psychological Association found that constant monitoring can create a sense of external control, reducing individuals' natural motivation and leading to dependency on external validation.

Digital health interventions, particularly those delivered through mobile devices, offer timely and personalized support, which can be beneficial. However, over-reliance on these tools can undermine our ability to self-regulate. Studies indicate that while these tools can improve mental health outcomes in the short term, they can also lead to long-term behavioral changes where individuals feel less capable of managing their behaviors without digital assistance.

One pixel at a time, we must ask ourselves: How comfortable do you feel being under the surveillance of a machine? Do you view it as a companion or a controlling presence? This dichotomy raises significant questions about privacy, autonomy, and the nature of our interactions with technology. Should we be cautious about how openly we share our data with different platforms and apps?

While digital monitoring tools offer significant benefits, it’s essential to balance their use with efforts to maintain our natural motivation and self-regulation. By being mindful of how we use these tools and setting personal goals independent of digital metrics, we can mitigate potential negative effects on our psyche and well-being. Our relationship with digital monitors is complex — they provide valuable insights and support but also pose risks to our autonomy and mental health. Striking a balance between leveraging technology for growth and maintaining our natural motivation is key to ensuring long-term well-being. As we navigate this evolving landscape, let’s keep questioning and thinking critically about the role of machine approval in our lives to better understand the implications of our increasing reliance on digital validation and strive for a balanced, autonomous approach to self-improvement.

Embrace your “being”!

• American Psychological Association. (2020). Employee Electronic Monitoring: Implications and Recommendations

• Nature. (2020). Scrutinizing the effects of digital technology on mental health

"Those who stole our sacred geometry have forgotten their true selves. Cursed to walk those monuments are they. Foolish princess, have you forgotten too?"

Recently, I had the chance to play "Monument Valley," a story-driven indie game that raises critical questions as players progress through its beautifully designed levels. While playing this game, I started to daydream about the complex relationship between humans and machines.

In our effort to improve our lives as modern beings, it's crucial to understand our relationship with machines and how they affect us in both good and bad ways. We need to consider the short-term and long-term effects on individuals and our collective behavior as a society. Smartwatches, fitness trackers, and productivity apps have become essential tools in our daily lives. These devices provide constant feedback on our activities, whether it's the time spent sitting, working, or sleeping. They encourage us to adopt healthier habits, but this constant monitoring also raises important questions about our dependence on machine approval.

Studies show that while electronic monitoring can boost productivity, it often comes at the cost of increased stress and decreased well-being. For instance, research on remote workers during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that increased surveillance led to higher levels of stress and a blurring of boundaries between work and personal life. A survey by the American Psychological Association found that constant monitoring can create a sense of external control, reducing individuals' natural motivation and leading to dependency on external validation.

Digital health interventions, particularly those delivered through mobile devices, offer timely and personalized support, which can be beneficial. However, over-reliance on these tools can undermine our ability to self-regulate. Studies indicate that while these tools can improve mental health outcomes in the short term, they can also lead to long-term behavioral changes where individuals feel less capable of managing their behaviors without digital assistance.

One pixel at a time, we must ask ourselves: How comfortable do you feel being under the surveillance of a machine? Do you view it as a companion or a controlling presence? This dichotomy raises significant questions about privacy, autonomy, and the nature of our interactions with technology. Should we be cautious about how openly we share our data with different platforms and apps?

While digital monitoring tools offer significant benefits, it’s essential to balance their use with efforts to maintain our natural motivation and self-regulation. By being mindful of how we use these tools and setting personal goals independent of digital metrics, we can mitigate potential negative effects on our psyche and well-being. Our relationship with digital monitors is complex — they provide valuable insights and support but also pose risks to our autonomy and mental health. Striking a balance between leveraging technology for growth and maintaining our natural motivation is key to ensuring long-term well-being. As we navigate this evolving landscape, let’s keep questioning and thinking critically about the role of machine approval in our lives to better understand the implications of our increasing reliance on digital validation and strive for a balanced, autonomous approach to self-improvement.

Embrace your “being”!

• American Psychological Association. (2020). Employee Electronic Monitoring: Implications and Recommendations

• Nature. (2020). Scrutinizing the effects of digital technology on mental health