Anandmai Kumar
I grew up in a family of scholars – people who believed that true education wasn’t confined to textbooks or classrooms. My family’s approach was holistic. Sure, we were encouraged to study our school books, but we were also nudged to learn things that were, as they called it, essential to life. Farming, gardening, keeping up with current affairs, understanding general knowledge, raising cattle, and – most importantly – how to survive and adapt in tough situations.
Looking back, I realise this wasn’t just about being ‘prepared’. It was about developing a mindset – a kind of quiet resilience. We weren’t supposed to just know things, we were supposed to understand them.
Fast forward to today. When I talk to younger folks, or even people from my own generation (which isn’t that old, I promise!), I’m often left scratching my head. I’ll ask where they got a certain piece of information, and almost every time, I hear the same answer: social media. Or, as I half-jokingly call it, anti-social media.
A funny, yet worrying encounter
Just the other day, a colleague wasn’t feeling too well. She asked me to help her check her blood pressure. The reading was 113/89. She gasped, “Oh no, my BP is low!”
I gently asked, “Why do you think so?”
She replied, “It’s supposed to be 120.”
That’s when it hit me. Many people aren’t aware that blood pressure is measured using two numbers – systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number). A reading of 113/89 is fairly normal. But because of half-understood snippets from social media or Google, she thought her BP was dangerously low.
Now, I’m not saying everyone should know the intricacies of blood pressure, but what worries me is how confidently people latch onto half-truths. Social media has conditioned us to absorb quick, bite-sized pieces of information, and we rarely question them.
A tale of mistaken identity
Another incident stands out. I mentioned JP’s Andolan to a friend – referring, of course, to Jayaprakash Narayan’s historic movement against corruption and for democratic reforms. His immediate response? “Oh, you mean the builder who went bankrupt?”
I was stunned. How could someone confuse a towering figure in India’s political history with a real estate scandal? This wasn’t just a slip-up – it was a stark reminder of how much we’re losing by depending on social media for everything.
My hometown is more than just mutton
At work, I often get asked, “Where are you from?” I proudly say, “Champaran, Bihar.” The most common reaction I get? “Oh, Champaran – the place with the famous mutton!”
While yes, Champaran is known for its culinary delights, it’s also where Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran Satyagraha began – a movement that marked the start of India’s fight for independence. Back then, indigo plantations were making the land barren and unfit for crops. Gandhi stood up against this injustice, sparking a revolution that changed history. But today, this monumental event is overshadowed by food trends and viral posts.
So, what’s really going on?
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying social media is inherently evil. It’s a powerful tool, no doubt. It connects us, gives people a voice, and democratises access to information. But the question is – what kind of information are we absorbing?
We’ve become so used to scrolling through headlines, watching quick reels, and reading half-baked posts that we’ve stopped thinking critically. We rarely cross-check facts, delve deeper, or unlearn outdated notions. Our learning has become passive, not active.
And the scary part? This isn’t just about health or history. It extends to everything – nutrition fads, financial advice, politics, science, even relationships. We’ve traded wisdom for convenience.
Real learning takes more than a scroll
Think about it. When was the last time you learned something by doing – like cooking a meal from scratch, planting a seed and watching it grow, or sitting down with an elder to hear stories of the past? These experiences teach resilience, patience, and depth – qualities you can’t get from a viral video.
Real learning involves curiosity. It means being okay with saying, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.” It’s about digging deeper, cross-checking facts, and being open to unlearning what you think you know. And yes, it’s about reconnecting with the real world – not just the virtual one.
It’s not all doom and gloom
Of course, social media isn’t all bad. There are credible sources, thoughtful educators, and meaningful discussions happening online. But we need to be intentional about how we use it. Instead of blindly believing everything we scroll past, let’s develop a healthy skepticism. Let’s ask questions. Let’s value real-world experiences over curated digital ones.
In my family, we were taught that true knowledge comes from a combination of reading, observing, questioning, and doing. Maybe it’s time we embraced that mindset again.
A gentle reminder
So, the next time you hear something online – whether it’s a health tip, a historical fact, or a political claim – pause. Ask yourself:
- Where did this information come from?
- Is it verified?
- Have I heard this from multiple sources?
And most importantly, am I willing to unlearn what I think I know if proven otherwise?
Let’s feed our minds the right way
In a world obsessed with likes, shares, and views, let’s strive to cultivate something deeper:
- Understanding
- Curiosity
- Connection
This is the real food for thought. Let’s not settle for shallow bites of information. Let’s sit down for a full-course meal of knowledge, reflection, and growth.
After all, isn’t life itself the best classroom?