Life through a lens

Only by temporarily disconnecting from digital technology do we get the chance to fully reconnect with ourselves and the world around us. Reflections from South Greenland.

In the wake of COVID-19, life has turned virtual. But I wonder: will our forced confinement to the digital world actually lead to a renewed appreciation for everything that is *not* digital?

Earlier this year I visited what has been dubbed “the world’s smartest city”. It offered a fascinating glimpse into the future - but I’m not sure it’s the future we want.

I don’t recall feeling as small and insignificant as I did when we made it to the top of a mountain peak in South Greenland, and shimmering carpets of green descended down on us.

It is impossible to think of East Asia in springtime without the iconic imagery of cherry trees in bloom. I explored their deeper cultural meaning during a recent trip to South Korea.

In the age of digital distraction, we regularly pick up our smartphone to do one thing, only to end up doing something else. How did we get here and what can we do about it?