The Impact of Phubbing on Relationships and Social Interactions

In today's hyper-connected world, where smartphones and mobile devices have become an integral part of our lives, there's a phenomenon that's quietly eroding the fabric of our social interactions: phubbing. A portmanteau of "phone" and "snubbing," phubbing refers to the act of ignoring someone in favor of your smartphone, and its implications are more significant than they may seem at first glance.

The Rise of Phubbing

The advent of smartphones revolutionized the way we communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. However, this technology comes with its own set of challenges, one of which is the rise of phubbing. We've all been in situations where we're out with friends, family, or colleagues, only to find ourselves engrossed in our screens, seemingly oblivious to the world around us.

The Impact on Relationships

At the heart of the matter lies the impact of phubbing on relationships. Whether it's a romantic partner, a close friend, or a family member, being on the receiving end of phubbing can evoke feelings of frustration, loneliness, and insignificance. When someone you're trying to engage with is more interested in their phone than in you, it can lead to a breakdown in communication and a sense of disconnect.

Communication Breakdown

Effective communication is the cornerstone of healthy relationships. When phubbing enters the picture, it disrupts the flow of conversation and prevents genuine connection. Over time, consistent phubbing can lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and a weakening of the bond between individuals. Genuine face-to-face interactions are essential for building trust, empathy, and understanding, all of which suffer when phones take center stage.

The Ripple Effect

Phubbing doesn't just affect the two individuals directly involved; it also has a ripple effect on the overall social environment. Think about social gatherings, dinners, or meetings. When a group of people is physically present but mentally absorbed in their devices, the quality of the gathering diminishes. Meaningful conversations become shallow exchanges, and the opportunity for deepening relationships is lost.

Mindfulness and Solutions

Acknowledging the problem of phubbing is the first step towards finding solutions. Practicing mindfulness can help us become more aware of our device usage and its impact on those around us. Setting aside designated times for checking our phones and making a conscious effort to engage fully in the present moment can make a world of difference.

Digital Etiquette

Establishing digital etiquette norms can also help curb phubbing. Designate phone-free zones or times, such as during meals or during face-to-face conversations. By respecting these boundaries, we can foster an environment that encourages meaningful interactions.

Quality Over Quantity

In the era of social media and constant notifications, it's easy to fall into the trap of valuing virtual interactions over real-life connections. However, the quality of our relationships is far more important than the quantity of online connections. By giving our full attention to the people we're with, we enrich our lives and those of the people around us.

Conclusion

Phubbing may seem like a harmless habit, but its consequences run deep. It chips away at the foundation of relationships, compromises effective communication, and diminishes the richness of our social experiences. By recognizing the impact of phubbing and making a conscious effort to be present in our interactions, we can nurture stronger connections, foster understanding, and truly engage with the world around us. After all, life's most precious moments are meant to be lived, not simply scrolled through.

Article de blog en français

Titre : L'impact du phubbing sur les relations et les interactions sociales

Dans le monde hyperconnecté d'aujourd'hui, où les smartphones et les appareils mobiles sont devenus une partie intégrante de nos vies, il y a un phénomène qui mine silencieusement le tissu de nos interactions sociales : le phubbing. Un mot-valise formé à partir de "téléphone" et "snubbing" (ignorer), le phubbing désigne l'acte d'ignorer quelqu'un au profit de votre smartphone, et ses implications sont plus importantes qu'elles ne le semblent à première vue.

L'essor du Phubbing

L'avènement des smartphones a révolutionné notre manière de communiquer, de travailler et de nous divertir. Cependant, cette technologie apporte son lot de défis, dont l'essor du phubbing. Nous avons tous été dans des situations où nous sommes avec des amis, de la famille ou des collègues, pour nous retrouver plongés dans nos écrans, apparemment inconscients du monde qui nous entoure.

L'Impact sur les Relations

Au cœur du problème se trouve l'impact du phubbing sur les relations. Que ce soit un partenaire romantique, un ami proche ou un membre de la famille, être victime du phubbing peut susciter des sentiments de frustration, de solitude et d'insignifiance. Lorsque quelqu'un avec qui vous essayez d'interagir est plus intéressé par son téléphone que par vous, cela peut conduire à une rupture de la communication et à un sentiment de déconnexion.

Rupture de Communication

Une communication efficace est le fondement de relations saines. Lorsque le phubbing entre en scène, il perturbe le déroulement de la conversation et empêche une véritable connexion. Avec le temps, le phubbing constant peut entraîner des malentendus, des sentiments blessés et un affaiblissement du lien entre les individus. Les interactions en face-à-face authentiques sont essentielles pour construire la confiance, l'empathie et la compréhension, toutes choses qui souffrent lorsque les téléphones prennent le dessus.

L'Effet d'Entraînement

Le phubbing n'affecte pas seulement les deux individus directement impliqués ; il a également un effet d'entraînement sur l'environnement social global. Pensez aux rassemblements sociaux, aux dîners ou aux réunions. Lorsqu'un groupe de personnes est physiquement présent mais mentalement absorbé par leurs appareils, la qualité de la réunion diminue. Les conversations significatives deviennent des échanges superficiels et l'opportunité d'approfondir les relations est perdue.

Mindfulness et Solutions

Reconnaître le problème du phubbing est la première étape pour trouver des solutions. La pratique de la pleine conscience peut nous aider à prendre conscience de notre utilisation des appareils et de son impact sur ceux qui nous entourent. Réserver des moments désignés pour vérifier nos téléphones et faire un effort conscient pour être pleinement engagés dans le moment présent peut faire toute la différence.

Étiquette Numérique

Établir des normes d'étiquette numérique peut également aider à freiner le phubbing. Désignez des zones ou des moments sans téléphone, comme pendant les repas ou les conversations en face-à-face. En respectant ces limites, nous pouvons encourager un environnement qui favorise des interactions significatives.

Qualité Plutôt que Quantité

À l'ère des médias sociaux et des notifications constantes, il est facile de tomber dans le piège de valoriser les interactions virtuelles par rapport aux connections réelles. Cependant, la qualité de nos relations est bien plus importante que la quantité de connexions en ligne. En accordant toute notre attention aux personnes qui nous entourent, nous enrichissons nos vies et celles des gens autour de nous.

Conclusion

Le phubbing peut sembler être une habitude inoffensive, mais ses conséquences sont profondes. Il érode les bases des relations, compromet la communication efficace et diminue la richesse de nos expériences sociales. En reconnaissant l'impact du phubbing et en faisant un effort conscient pour être présents dans nos interactions, nous pouvons entretenir des connexions plus solides, favoriser la compréhension et vraiment nous engager avec le monde qui nous entoure. Après tout, les moments les plus précieux de la vie sont faits pour être vécus, et non simplement défilés.

Blog post via help from ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a chatbot launched by OpenAI in November 2022 and its use has skyrocketed in many sectors for its various uses.

Here is one way where I can use ChatGPT to generate blog content for me. I just curiously asked what is the difference between white eggs and brown eggs or white potatoes and brown potatoes, and it gave me detailed answer. I just have to verify the answer and then I can use it as content for my blog. I can even translate the content using Google translate and use it in Nepali language if needed.

Here are the answers provided to me by ChatGPT!

   

सेतो अण्डा र खैरो अण्डा बीच के भिन्नता छ?

What is the difference between white eggs and brown eggs?

The main difference between white eggs and brown eggs is the color of the eggshell. White eggs have shells that are white or pale brown, while brown eggs have shells that are shades of brown, ranging from light to dark.

सेतो अण्डा र खैरो अण्डा बीचको मुख्य भिन्नता अण्डाको छालको रंग हो। सेतो अण्डाहरूमा सेतो वा पहेंलो खैरो रङका गोलाहरू हुन्छन्, जबकि खैरो अण्डाहरूमा हल्का देखि गाढासम्म खैरो रङ्गका गोलाहरू हुन्छन्।

The color of the eggshell is determined by the breed of chicken that laid the egg. Chickens with white feathers and ear lobes usually lay white eggs, while chickens with red feathers and ear lobes usually lay brown eggs. The color of the eggshell does not affect the taste, nutritional content, or quality of the egg.

अण्डाको छालाको रंग अण्डा दिने कुखुराको नस्लले निर्धारण गर्छ। सेतो प्वाँख र कानको लोब भएको कुखुराले सामान्यतया सेतो अण्डा दिन्छ, जबकि रातो प्वाँख र कानको लोब भएको कुखुराले सामान्यतया खैरो अण्डा दिन्छ। अण्डाको शेलको रंगले स्वाद, पोषण सामग्री, वा अण्डाको गुणस्तरलाई असर गर्दैन।

There is a common myth that brown eggs are more nutritious or healthier than white eggs. However, this is not true. The nutritional content of an egg is determined by the chicken's diet and living conditions, not the color of the eggshell. Both white and brown eggs are nutritious and can be part of a healthy diet.

त्यहाँ एक सामान्य मिथक छ कि खैरो अण्डा सेतो अण्डा भन्दा बढी पौष्टिक वा स्वस्थ हुन्छ। तर, यो सत्य होइन। अण्डाको पोषण सामग्री कुखुराको आहार र जीवनको अवस्थाले निर्धारण गरिन्छ, अण्डाको छालाको रंगले होइन। सेतो र खैरो अण्डा दुवै पौष्टिक हुन्छन् र स्वस्थ आहारको हिस्सा हुन सक्छन्।

In summary, the main difference between white eggs and brown eggs is the color of the shell, and the color of the eggshell has no effect on the nutritional content or quality of the egg.

सारांशमा, सेतो अण्डा र खैरो अण्डा बीचको मुख्य भिन्नता शेलको रंग हो, र अण्डाको छालाको रंगले अण्डाको पोषण सामग्री वा गुणस्तरमा कुनै असर गर्दैन।

What is the difference between white potatoes and red potatoes?

सेतो आलु र रातो आलु बीच के भिन्नता छ?

White potatoes and red potatoes are both types of potatoes that belong to the Solanum tuberosum species, also known as the common potato. There are many varieties of potatoes, including both white and red varieties.

सेतो आलु र रातो आलु दुवै प्रकारका आलु हुन् जुन सोलानम ट्युबरोसम प्रजातिका हुन्छन्, जसलाई साधारण आलु पनि भनिन्छ। त्यहाँ सेतो र रातो दुवै प्रजातिहरू सहित आलुका धेरै किस्महरू छन्।

One main difference between white potatoes and red potatoes is their skin color. As the name suggests, white potatoes have white skin, while red potatoes have red skin. Red potatoes also tend to have a thin, smooth skin that is easier to peel compared to the thicker skin of white potatoes.

सेतो आलु र रातो आलु बीचको एक मुख्य भिन्नता तिनीहरूको छालाको रंग हो। नामले सुझाव दिन्छ, सेतो आलुको सेतो छाला हुन्छ, जबकि रातो आलुको छाला रातो हुन्छ। सेतो आलुको बाक्लो छालाको तुलनामा रातो आलुको छाला पातलो, चिल्लो छाला हुने गर्छ।

Another difference between the two types of potatoes is their texture and flavor. Red potatoes tend to have a waxy texture and a slightly sweet taste, which makes them a good choice for dishes that require a firm potato, such as potato salads. White potatoes, on the other hand, have a drier, mealy texture and a more neutral flavor. They are more versatile and can be used in a wider range of dishes, including mashed potatoes, fried potatoes, and baked potatoes.

दुई प्रकारका आलुहरू बीचको अर्को भिन्नता तिनीहरूको बनावट र स्वाद हो। रातो आलुमा मोमी बनावट र थोरै मीठो स्वाद हुन्छ, जसले तिनीहरूलाई आलु सलाद जस्ता दृढ आलु चाहिने परिकारहरूको लागि राम्रो विकल्प बनाउँछ। सेतो आलु, अर्कोतर्फ, सुख्खा, मीठो बनावट र अधिक तटस्थ स्वाद छ। तिनीहरू अधिक बहुमुखी छन् र भाँडाको फराकिलो दायरामा प्रयोग गर्न सकिन्छ, मसला आलु, भुटेको आलु र बेक्ड आलु सहित।

Finally, white potatoes and red potatoes have slightly different nutrient profiles. Red potatoes are higher in moisture and lower in starch compared to white potatoes, which makes them a good source of vitamin C and potassium. White potatoes, on the other hand, are higher in starch and have a higher glycemic index, which means they may cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. However, both types of potatoes are rich in nutrients and can be part of a healthy diet in moderation.

अन्तमा, सेतो आलु र रातो आलुमा थोरै फरक पोषक प्रोफाइलहरू छन्। सेतो आलुको तुलनामा रातो आलुमा आर्द्रता बढी हुन्छ र स्टार्च कम हुन्छ, जसले तिनीहरूलाई भिटामिन सी र पोटासियमको राम्रो स्रोत बनाउँछ। अर्कोतर्फ, सेतो आलु, स्टार्चमा उच्च हुन्छ र उच्च ग्लाइसेमिक इन्डेक्स हुन्छ, जसको मतलब तिनीहरूले रगतमा चिनीको स्तरमा द्रुत वृद्धि निम्त्याउन सक्छन्। यद्यपि, दुवै प्रकारका आलुहरू पोषक तत्वहरूले भरिपूर्ण हुन्छन् र मध्यम मात्रामा स्वस्थ आहारको हिस्सा हुन सक्छन्।

[These contents are generated via ChatGPT]

Final words: As everything is getting automated like generating content, making videos, etc, it will be pretty interesting to see what new avenues will start in 2023.

Influencer Marketing

 

“Gone are the days of sending influencers products or event invitations and hoping for the best. At North, influencers and creators are not an afterthought or a frivolous add-on. We care about data, insights, and business results.”

=> Ashley Walsh, Account Director, North Strategic

I felt extremely fortunate to attend a very engaging and knowledgeable ZOOM session with Ashley about “Influencer Marketing” on 17-02-2022 AD. That session was an eye-opener to knowing how brands are using “Influencer Marketing” towards meeting their business objectives.

 

Influencer Marketing is expected to reach $16.4 billion in 2022. In influencer marketing, the terms influencers and advocates/brand ambassadors come often. They both play a vital role in acquiring and retaining customers. Basically, influencers are online personalities with large number of followers, who create sponsored contents, and are engaged to brand via contract with guaranteed minimum posts/approvals. On the other hand, advocates are everyday customers who organically advocate in response to positive experiences with a brand. Influencer’s content is normally supported with media dollars to guarantee audience reach and can be easily measured using online metrics, however, advocates may or may not create content and their effectiveness cannot be measured.  

 

There are two close meaning terms in Influencer Marketing: Influencers and Content Creators. Influencers are mainly skilled at growing and maintaining a loyal online social following that looks to them for advice while content creators are mainly skilled at producing professional quality content that really stands out. Influencers with strong creative skills like photography, videography, etc. can also be considered content creators while content creators with a strong following can also be influencers.    

 

A marketer must consider many factors to select influencers for their brand which includes business objectives, brand alignment, true measures of influence (engagement rates, conversion tracking, etc.), reach, budget, and creative capabilities.  

 

Basically, influencers are divided into the following four categories:

1)   Celebrity: They are distinguished personalities with 1 MM+ social following, very large budget range, minimal creative flexibility, and strong word-of-mouth capability.

2)   Macro: They have 100K-1MM social following, large budget range, they collaborate to create highly engaging brand programs, and have true affinity for the brand.

3)   Micro: They have 10K-100K social following, medium budget range, moderate creative flexibility and they represent everyday voices with a decent following and highly engaged audience. 

4)   Nano: They have ~10K followers, small budget range, maximum creative flexibility and they represent content creators who have specificity and expertise in particular area. 

 

To identify the right influencers for a brand, it is better to follow the following 3 steps process: Define, Identify and Validate. 

 

In Define step, we determine the campaign/brand criteria like: 

· Reach: Location, Demographics, etc.

· Category: Travel, Lifestyle, etc.

· Platform: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, etc.

. Desired Action: Sign ups, Drive Traffic, Awareness, etc.

 

In Identify step, we identify influencer partners by:

· Insight alignment

· Finding new partners, depending on campaign needs

· Reviewing feed for appropriate content 

 

In Validate step, we validate following and engagement by utilizing various tools like Social Blade, Fake Check, etc.

 

To ensure success, we need a step-by-step process that includes Contracts Agreements, Creative Guidelines, Creative Briefing Considerations, Disclosure Guidelines and Brand Approval Process.

• Contracts Agreements contain campaign dates, required outputs, exclusivity, ownership, licensing, payment terms, etc. 
• Creative Guidelines contain brand style guide (logo, color, campaign creative, etc.), post creative and copy guide, approval timeline, etc.
• Creative Briefing Considerations contain information on content expectations meeting the business values and objectives
• Disclosure Guidelines according to 2018 Ad Standards, Canada
• Brand Approval Process contain clear information on approval structure so that everyone knows their role in the campaign and when to escalate question or issues to team members 

There are several new trends in the influencer space predicted for 2022 and beyond like creator contents on TikTok, Live Streaming via Twitch, IG/TikTok Lives, Twitter Spaces, Clubhouse, etc. The post pandemic influencer marketing is going to be an interesting one with more new trends emerging. 

A career in Influencer Marketing is really appealing to me. I think I would most likely become a content creator rather than an influencer. This is because I do not have a large following and I rely on my own skills to create useful content for audience on the Internet.

 

 I learned a lot from the session because going on in the session, I was totally unaware of the huge market of “Influencer Marketing”. After the session, I now know what influencers do, types of influencers, what advocates are, what content creators are, and how to search for influencers for a brand. I think the knowledge gained in the session may be applied during the interview if the topic of “Influencer Marketing” pops in.

 

References

1. https://influencermarketinghub.com/influencer-marketing-statistics/
2. https://www.pexels.com

My Mobile Day

 “Canadians spent 4.4 hours on mobile apps a day in 2021”^[1]

The first mobile I bought was a Nokia N series phone in 2006 and I have been in love with mobile phones since then. Currently I have a Samsung S20 and I use it multiple times a day. 

Mainly I use the following 5 apps during a typical day:

1. Facebook: I use this social networking app at least two times a day. This app is valuable to me as all of my family and friends are in Facebook and I could find information on their well-being.

Facebook Micro-moments

• I want to know - how family and friends are doing | what is the current news 

• I want to do - post photos and videos

2. Yahoo Mail: I use this mail app typically twice a day. My Yahoo Mail app is also connected to other email accounts like Hotmail/Outlook and Gmail and so I can keep track of all of my emails in one app using both laptop and mobile. 

Yahoo Mail Micro-moments

• I want to communicate - email messages
• I want to sign up/change password - on various sites

3. Candy Crush Saga: I use this game app twice a day on average. This app is kind of a stress reliever and I use it whenever I get free time. 

Candy Crush Micro-moments

• I want to relax - playing games

• I want to earn rewards - watching ads

4. Messenger: I use this instant messaging app on average once a day. I use this app for video chatting with friends and family.

Messenger Micro-moments

• I want to do - video chatting with friends and family | sending instant messages like birthday wishes and new year cards

5. Amazon: I use this app approximately once a day. I am an Amazon prime member and I buy most items for me and my family from Amazon.

Amazon Micro-moments

• I want to browse - stuffs that I need by reading descriptions and comparing similar products

• I want to buy - all sort of items like soaps, vitamins, clothes, etc

Out of these 5 apps, I have “mobile friction” mostly with Candy Crush Saga. This occurs mainly when watching ad to get free gifts whereby the screen goes blank and the app becomes unresponsive. But this hasn’t made my addiction with the app any less and I am a regular player of this game for 6+ years now. 

Upon analyzing my own mobile behavior, I would make the following insights from a marketer’s perspective: 

• Facebook and other social networking sites are viewable multiple times a day and so they are the prime candidates for direct advertisement

• Game Apps would drive more downloads/sales if they are advertised within other popular games

• Good reviews on Amazon is a must for any new product and the product details must be clear, concise and compelling 

Finally, I would say that my mobile is an indispensable part of my everyday life but I need to reduce my screen time too.

References:

1. https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/canadians-spent-4-4-hours-on-mobile-apps-a-day-in-2021-report-1.5737073
2. https://www.pexels.com
3. https://unsplash.com