Virtual lives feed into personal

Ratna Raman

Something has happened to the grammar of conversations. Most living species 'converse' with each other through sounds. Humans alone can convert sounds into symbols. Once humans communicated through speech and writing. Currently, most literate persons live in the word of virtual reality, 'Whatsapp-ing' and 'Twitter-ing' as much as they can. 

Recent wars in virtual media display extreme levels of intolerance, 'perverted' (warped) mindsets and a total breakdown of decorum. Vituperative (bitterly abusive) grievances abound, offset by virulent (hostile) attacks. Paresh Rawal, provoked by a fake post, suggested that Arundhati Roy be tied to a jeep in Kashmir and face stone-pelters; for reasons best known to him. Subsequently, abusive remarks directed at both Roy and her supporters were defended as acceptable behaviour. Speaking derisively or derogatorily is now equated with 'calling a spade a spade'. 'Waving spades around' makes for violent metaphors and violence, the weapon of 'perverts',(twisted persons) is a throwback to a savage society. For the record, nobody seems to care. 

The acrimony on public forums spills over into smaller private Whatsapp groups, consisting of family and friends, school alumni, professional doctors, accountants, university teachers, which are now rewriting 'pedagogies' (theoretical concepts) of communication. 

Personal and public spaces can no longer be differentiated. Groups promising statutory information engage with great aplomb in exchanges ranging from picturised good mornings and festive greetings and shift seamlessly to offer birthday and condolences wishes. 

Most Whatsapp groups delight in visual overkill. GIFs of flowers, rows of animals, landscapes and gods fill up the screen, draining batteries. In order to free phone memory, the thumb is turned into a detonator on the delete icon, slowly moving its user towards chronic 'carpal tunnel syndrome' (progressive, repetitive wrist stress injury) 

 The deluge of endless videos and jokes usually range from the banal and the ridiculous to the sexist and the obscene. These are instruments of vengeance unleashed by the gods of virtual reality and are recirculated several times within the same Whatsapp group. Nobody remembers postings or re-postings because 'emoticons' and 'selfies' predominate. Clearly, only elephants need large memories since humans have chosen to fall back on 'technological accessories.' 

Conversations in family groups are now non-existent. Pictures are posted for the sole purpose of developing sleuthing skills within the group. If a posted picture is not responded to with appropriate emoticons within minutes of posting, tetchiness (irritability, from tetchy in Shakespeare; Romeo and Juliet) comes into play. 

Tantrums can be thrown on Whatsapp. Normally if something offends, conversations provide space for disagreement. Since there is minimum dialogue on Whatsapp, the trick is to remain unresponsive and provide scope for psychodrama (acting out of individual hysterias), thereby generating 'storms in teacups' (outrage over trivial issues). 

Whatsapp functions like a humungous notice board where anyone can put up anything and then disclaim responsibility. Objections are sidelined through pleas that all offending posts are re-postings. 'Culpability' (blameworthiness) is to be directed towards the unknown authors. 

Exchanges that encourage rumour-mongering, incite violence and prurient interests and are not cognisant of moral responsibility are manifestations of 'perverse' social behaviour. Maybe it is time to walk away from Whatapp groups and Twitter to reduce rampant levels of 'perversity' (unreasonableness) in day to day communication. 

Could a phone call from a landline, a letter dropped in snail mail or an engaging conversation across the table slowly reverse the rapid erosion of human value?