Just a casual meet over waffles and ice-cream on a Friday night. Topics flew randomly around education, generational gaps (strawberry, durian,… yeah it was fruity), etc. Plenty of good discussions, and even more laughs. With the IT guru amongst us, the convo slowly moved towards app development and the ideas that were behind some of the awesome apps that contribute to the convenience of mankind.
What price, convenience?
Of course there were silly ones, like the device that to cheat the pedometer on your mobile phone, just so you can “clock” your daily 10K steps. It is also named “creative” on Amazon.com, and I guess I have to give it to the inventor for that. And it is kind of decorative. Aww but guuys, c’mon – DON’T. Yes, the weekly rewards (the kind of that boosts your vitality ;-p) are attractive. But isn’t the bigger purpose about staying active, getting healthier and keeping fit?
There was also the Tinda Finger that “lets your finger rest, and autonomously swipes away in search of your future spouse or late-night booty call”. Geez. What, are we now getting concerned about straining our fingers? (Note: Digital disabilities which are pain and injuries due to chronic use do exist. But more on that another time.)
Has technology driven us to get this lazy? What happened to going out for lunch: taking a short walk (even if is to the car), stepping out for fresh air, socialising with workmates, instead of relying on food delivery.
I feel a part of this also reveals the detachment from living. Instead of allowing yourself to take in the sights and sounds of the surrounding, people-watch, let your senses deliberate on the food choices. We seem to prefer to browse and decide based on visually-attractive food pics, make online payment and collect it from the recep after. Just short of feeding ourselves electronically?
Let your fingers do the walking
Who still remembers this slogan? (On the side, I am surprised to find that they are still surviving today despite the prevalence of Internet search engines and online directories.)
We can’t forget the iconic ad slogan and walking fingers logo. But it does make us wonder—does this slogan still reflect our lifestyle today? Many of us allow our mobile devices to dominate our attention, drifting further from mindfulness and the present moment, often at the expense of meaningful connection with ourselves and the people around us.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m truly grateful for how technology supports my life. Class registration now takes just a few clicks—no need for cash or queues at the community centre. A single WhatsApp broadcast message alerts my Aqua Zumba students an hour before class if weather changes plans. Quarterly newsletters via email keep subscribers updated on the latest fitness news and class schedules. And of course, there’s our daily social media diet—something many of us can no longer go without.
Apps = “… designed to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks, or activities for the benefit of the user.”
Source: Wikipedia
But we must remember: technology should work for us, not control us. It’s a tool—a digital assistant—meant to free up our time, not steal it.
We should be reminded that technology and apps are meant to help us save time, only as a capable tool and trusty personal assistant. To free up precious time through automation to allow us more time for other things. Never allowing it to rule us or take precedence over the more important aspects of our lives such as friends, family and our aspirations; to find true meaning and purpose in all that we do.
At Amokfit, we believe in using tech smartly to reclaim your time and energy for what truly matters: your health, relationships, and personal growth. Whether you’re seeking to build your own wellness routine or planning to introduce corporate fitness initiatives for your team, Amokfit blends the best of fitness and convenience. Let us help you bring balance back—technological efficiency paired with real-life wellbeing.
Let’s be intentional. Let’s use technology to live more—not less. Ping us today for a chat!