Hobbies and interests
Anime
Acting And Theater
Art
Babysitting And Childcare
Child Development
Clinical Psychology
Counseling And Therapy
Fashion
Reading
Gothic
Realistic Fiction
I read books daily
Arin Gartner
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FinalistArin Gartner
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FinalistBio
Hello! My name is Arin Gartner. I am a freshman in college studying psychology and social justice studies from a rural low-income family. I value my faith, identity, relationships, and wellness.
Education
Prescott College
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Psychology, Other
Minors:
- Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
Career
Dream career field:
Mental Health Care
Dream career goals:
Leader
Boys and Girls club of Arizona2022 – Present2 yearsVoter Registration Canvasser
Rural Arizona Engagment2021 – 20221 year
Public services
Volunteering
Feed My Starving Children — Food Packaging2011 – Present
Future Interests
Advocacy
Entrepreneurship
Science Fiction Becomes Science Fact Scholarship
I can see this quote apply to more than just "gamers"; I believe it very well can apply to anyone who spends most of their time and keeps most of their social interaction online. There's a phrase used as slang I often see, "Chronically online." According to Urban Dictionary, this slang means "Someone who is so absorbed into online life and discourse that they become unfamiliar with things off the internet. They may also form opinions/arguments that have no meaning or actual importance/depth outside of the internet and online spaces." this phenomenon can alter one's perception of reality and hurt their genuine life relationships with others and themselves.
I noticed a heavy increase in this phenomenon in 2020 when the lockdown hit. Many children missed social learning in their formative years and made up for it through online socializing. And although that may sound alright in theory, given how algorithms work in online settings, it can and will quickly put you in an echo chamber where you are constantly fed the same ideas, all demonizing those with opposing opinions.
These echo chambers in online spaces hurt relationships. A study published by the Boston Globe claims that people who consistently and only watch FOX News tend to get addicted to anger, and I believe one can apply this to many other areas, like online gaming forums. This addiction to anger may cause an increase in verbal abuse, as well as cutting ties with family who may disagree.
In my life during the covid-19 lockdown, I was "chronically online," and it did hurt my relationships. During this time of my life, I blocked and cut off many kinds of well-meaning family members and insulted and scolded them. It is not something I'm proud of, but alas, it happened.
Being in touch with reality and real people will keep you safe and happier. The less you worry about other people and the more you learn opinions are opinions, the better quality of life you will have.