The Virtuo.artisapiens of social media: An anthropological analysis

In the age of information and technology, technologies not only influence our daily lives, but they also become integral parts of our daily existence. With their assistance, Homo sapiens is entering a new era of online social networking and social media. The use of the internet and computer equipment has seamlessly woven into Homo sapiens’ daily routine, bringing significant levels of happiness and satisfaction. Seeking joy in the virtual world and social media has become a characteristic trait of Homo sapiens. Adopting a new ‘avatar,’ a fresh incarnation in the form of Virtuo.artisapiens, is observed. This Virtuo.artisapiens of social media profoundly influences the lifestyle of Homo sapiens in multifaceted ways. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the impact of Virtuo.artisapiens on Homo sapiens. The study employs content analysis of secondary sources and the author’s observations. Utilizing a heuristic search method, the analysis encompasses journal articles, newspaper reports, and YouTube lectures. Employing a holistic anthropological approach, this paper scrutinizes the impact of Virtuo.artisapiens on language, communication, socio-culture, and the overall health of Homo sapiens. Important findings related to communication and languages discussed in this study include the dilemma of ‘virtual view’ and ‘real view,’ appropriation of language, ‘language lag,’ and social media acronyms. The socio-cultural changes associated with the transformation of loneliness into solitude and the ways in which virtual life confronts real social life are explored. The focus of this study is on health problems associated with social media, such as a low attention span, an increase in anxiety and stress, dependence on social media, and procrastination. In conclusion, the study suggests that one needs to strike a balance between real and virtual life. The first step is to recognize the problem and then address it with a little moderation. It is the compulsiveness that is the problem, not the social media technology.