Humans and smartphones have become inseparable.
The rectangular slab is what we see first when we wake up in the morning. It's also the last thing that we immerse ourselves into before we hit the sack.
And why not? As the years have gone by, the "dumb phones" have gotten smarter and they can summon a cab at your whim, keep you fed with a quick food delivery and help you restrict the need to touch money physically with online digital transactions-- something that has come in really handy especially in the times of coronavirus pandemic.
Summing up our "addiction" with phones, veteran cricketer Harbhajan Singh tweeted a photo of Indian thali with a twist.
"Modern thali" read the meme shared by Singh, which had a specially designated spot to place your phone.
"Modern thali with space for phone orders urs, (sic)" Bhajji wrote.
Modern thali with space for phone orders urs pic.twitter.com/jRfW7REH9M
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 10, 2020
Twitterati were amused with such a unique find.
chahal ko dilwa do paji saara din phone chlaya krta h
— Arsh (@arsh49__) September 10, 2020
Proper use of digitalization of the new generation...
— Milan Kanzariya (@MilanKanzariya6) September 10, 2020
— Liza (@lagisamajh) September 10, 2020
This is the best innovative solution for a real problem of current world.
— Dr.Deepa Sharma (@deepadoc) September 10, 2020
However, there was more to the photo that caught the eye. Tamil actor Ajith Kumar's fans know exactly why. The photo on the phone as seen in the meme was that of Thala from 2019's Viswasam, noted many.
What others see. What Thala fans see#Valimai #ThalaAjith pic.twitter.com/JBSQLQdBBX
— Aegon Targaryen™ (@SivanesanThala) September 10, 2020
Viswasam ❤️#Valimai pic.twitter.com/xaYkvXFTKa
— Jᴏɴɴɪᴇ ᴡᴀʟᴋᴇR (@ItzJonnieWalker) September 10, 2020
The kingMaker ThalaAjith#Valimai pic.twitter.com/WFUDXelFMg
— Thalapathy veriyan (@Crazyprasad5) September 10, 2020
thala ajith#Valimai pic.twitter.com/nNEfhXkLbW
— AKPK Fan (@AkPkFan) September 10, 2020
On a slightly serious note, a new Netflix documentary is setting out to expose technology’s corrosive effects on society during a pandemic that’s left people more dependent than ever on tools that keep them connected with friends, family, and colleagues they can no longer meet in person.
So the timing for Wednesday’s release of “The Social Dilemma” might strike some viewers as odd. But its makers aim to give you a better sense of why the pandemic isn’t the only reason it feels like we’re stuck in a dystopian nightmare.