People are starting to lose the ability to distinguish between the digital and the real world. And the more advanced these technologies become, the harder it is to tell them apart.

An entire generation has already grown up in the digital world. Unlike us, who used to write by hand, these kids were born into the digital age. There’s even a term for them—”Google Generation.” They lack social skills. It’s inevitable. And for those who are already grown, problems are emerging—especially in their personal lives. Some of them don’t even understand basic human interaction, including flirting. They have no idea how to communicate naturally. Because on a computer, if someone annoys you, you just click “off” and they’re gone.

And then there’s gaming. In a game, you might “kill” 50 people in one sitting, but the next time you log in, they’re all back again, alive and well. In video games, there’s no pain, no death—things that are fundamental to real life.

I’m not trying to scare anyone, but the truth is, we don’t know what to do about this. This isn’t the future—it’s already happening. Social dependency on technology is real. Just go to a café and look around. You’ll see teenagers sitting together at a round table, but instead of talking, they’re all on their phones. Sometimes, they might even be texting each other despite sitting just a few feet apart!

Psychologists are deeply concerned because this is a breakdown of basic communication skills. And neuroscientists are alarmed too, because studies have shown that internet addiction actually causes physical changes in the brain—it alters the gray and white matter. That’s terrifying.

And this is just the beginning. The possibilities for manipulation with chips and implants are no longer science fiction—they already exist. We can now implant a chip in the brain to speed up neural impulses, enhancing intelligence and memory. Imagine being able to process information faster than anyone else. Computers don’t get tired, they don’t feel emotions, and they don’t get stressed. So where does that leave us?

This brings me to a question I always ask: We can replace a knee joint, a hip, a liver damaged by cirrhosis, a heart, even a lung. We now have artificial eyes that don’t require external devices—they function inside the head. And soon, we’ll have brain chips that make people smarter and faster. But at what point do we stop being human? That’s a serious question. Are we still people at that stage?

I know this might sound dramatic, like some kind of fearmongering, but I wish that were the case. Unfortunately, it’s the reality.

Another problem is the sheer speed at which the world is moving. You can’t even begin to imagine how fast. Powerful systems now make critical decisions—like whether to start a war—in mere nanoseconds. Humans don’t operate at that speed. We won’t even know when such decisions are made. And that’s terrifying.

Even on a personal level, technology tracks everything. We all carry smartphones, right? That means someone knows exactly where you are, what you ate for lunch, how much money is in your bank account, what bags you like to buy, and even if you have an allergy to strawberries—because the system notices that you never order them, even when everyone else does.

A year ago, I made the mistake of searching online for Prada bags—just out of curiosity. I wasn’t even planning to buy one. For months after that, my computer kept showing me Prada bag ads nonstop! It was as if someone was watching my every move.

But then something even weirder happened. Recently, I had a conversation with someone in person about a completely different topic—never typed anything online about it. Later, I turned on my computer, and suddenly, ads related to that conversation started appearing. What was that?! I have no answer. Is my device listening to me? Some of my friends actually put tape over their laptop cameras. At first, I laughed at them, but now I think they might be right.

The world is becoming increasingly fluid—there’s even a term for it: “liquid reality.” Everything is becoming blurred. Social media makes it even worse. I don’t use social media myself—I find it nauseating. But we all communicate through texts, don’t we? And here’s the thing: When someone messages you, how do you know they are really who they say they are? Maybe “Peter Sidorov” is actually five different people. Maybe there are 800 Peter Sidorovs.

What time zone is he in? What city does he live in? Is he even a real person? We don’t know. It’s a complete breakdown of identity, time, and place. This is a fundamental shift in human experience.

The question is: what do we do now? Because we’re already in this world. There’s no turning back.

Some very wise people try to protect themselves. Take Bill Gates, for example—you know who he is. At home, he only allows Wi-Fi for two hours a day. After that, everything is turned off. Because he understands the risks.

Some educators suggest a different approach—not banning technology but reversing the incentives. Instead of saying, “No, you can’t play video games,” they say, “If you do well in school, you earn two hours of gaming time.” So instead of a restriction, it becomes a reward.

I don’t know if this strategy will work. But one thing is clear: We’re already deep into this new world, and we need to figure out how to live in it.

Transcript from YouTube talk 1

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How much does advanced technology influence our lives? We all understand that its progress cannot be stopped. Today, every child carries various gadgets in their pockets. Even two-year-olds can master a tablet as easily as their parents. A new generation is growing up—often called the “Google generation.” These are not people who were introduced to digital life; they were born into it. They have never known a world without it.

This reality has both advantages and drawbacks. The benefits are clear—instant communication, unlimited access to information, the ability to visit any museum in the world from the comfort of home, access to vast digital libraries, streaming movies, taking online courses, and even studying remotely at top universities. These advantages are undeniable.

However, there are also serious downsides. Technology addiction is real. Studies show that the brains of people who spend excessive time in virtual environments exhibit the same structural changes as those of drug addicts and alcoholics. Think about that. Prolonged digital immersion can lead to the deterioration of gray and white matter in the brain—an alarming consequence of addiction.

Children and teenagers should not rely solely on Google for answers but should develop their own cognitive abilities by reading complex books, watching thought-provoking films, and listening to meaningful music. Their neural networks need to be challenged and strengthened.

The question is: Who do you want to be? Who do you want your children to become? If the goal is to raise passive consumers, then let gadgets take over. Let them live through screens. But if you want to cultivate individuals with depth, curiosity, and a rich inner life, then you must raise the bar. It’s not about comic books but about difficult, intellectually demanding reading—because the more we challenge ourselves, the stronger our minds become.

What are your aspirations? If you aim for a life of depth and purpose, it requires a conscious choice. If not, that’s your decision. But don’t be surprised by the consequences.

I wish for all of us to wake up in time—to remember that we are not just machines consuming hamburgers and Pepsi-Cola. We are beings designed for a higher purpose, capable of extraordinary thought and achievement. Let’s not forget that.

Transcript from YouTube talk 2

~Tatyana Vladimirovna Chernigovskaya, is a distinguished Russian scientist specializing in neuroscience, psycholinguistics, and the theory of mind. She holds doctoral degrees in both biological and philological sciences and serves as a professor at Saint Petersburg State University. In 2020, she became the director of the University’s Institute for Cognitive Studies.

©Excellence Reporter 2021