By now, Gary Turk’s spoken poem, “Look Up,” has gotten almost 30 million views after just one week of being uploaded on YouTube. After glowing reviews in the comment section and a very high like-to-dislike ratio, it seems that “Look Up” is becoming the newest internet sensation. If you haven’t watched it yet, please do down below and formulate your own opinions on the video, as this article is going to present quite a different perspective.
‘Look Up’ is a lesson taught to us through a love story, in a world where we continue to find ways to make it easier for us to connect with one another, but always results in us spending more time alone.
I have to say, I thought it was a brilliant piece too. When I think about all the people I know who are extremely funny online but can’t hold a 15-second conversation in real life. Classmates who can’t answer “2×8″ without their smartphone calculator. “We’re a generation of idiots, smart phones and dumb people,” Turk says, and I couldn’t have agreed more. But after reading this article, I started forming new opinions. Yes, technology is starting to take over, but why should we dwell on all the negative aspects of the internet? Can any of us really say that social media is terrible and we would rather live without it? If any of you answered yes to that, I must ask you to reevaluate just where you’re reading this article.
In order to present my opinion, that no, the internet is not as segregational and emotionless as Turk says, please enjoy my own spoken poem (I’ve included the link to a version where I’m actually talking to dramatic music).
Response to “Look Up”
by Ailin Li
I have 422 friends, in no way am I lonely.
I speak to them every day, and they’re starting to grow on me.
Social media has led me to meet many people, in parts of the world I’d never given thought.
It’s more often that your world views and opinions become expanded than not.
From Switzerland to Italy, New Zealand to Thailand,
Connecting with people whom I care about, right at my hand.
Different cultures of music and food, all this exposure, I didn’t realize what was outside my door.
Keeping it shut? That’s not even an option anymore, my door is always open, I’m ready to explore.
When I look out into a world of smart phones, I see smart people.
Sharing information, discoveries, news spreading faster than previously able,
Birth, death, love, tragedy. More information than can be taken in during a lifetime.
Faster innovation and discovery in its prime.
The rich can help the poor through online donations and media awareness,
Whereas people could have previously cared less,
The internet has woven a society of artists and philanthropists.
Our future leaders can emerge, and say, “Yes, it does get better than this.”
Where everyone gets a voice, regardless of their person,
The gates to support and comradery all become open.
So no, you don’t have to put down that phone, doing so won’t make you feel any less alone.
Bonds aren’t built through any amount of face time or FaceTime, but rather a space in your heart that has grown.
When you power up your laptop, you access an entire online civilization,
It’s up to you whether you open your mind or let it stay shut in.
But nonetheless, a small population of cheaters and haters aren’t enough to represent an entire generation.
You can find love on the internet if you find the right place to look,
There are thousands of archives of aspiring writers’ books.
Music and comedy, ideas for new inventions, we can change the world if we give people a chance,
That won’t happen if you don’t look down and give it a glance.
You can engage in conversations with people who will actually care,
When everyone else may be unavailable, your online friends will be there.
Long distance teaches us that it’s not about the time that you spend,
But rather who is willing to stay in touch up until the end.
Technology is not our overlord, it’s a gift that some have taken for granted, self control is what they lack.
At the end of the day, we can all walk away, but we know we’ll come back.
But nothing can stop you from living your life if you just have the common sense to know when enough is enough.
If you get to a point where stepping away is too though,
Then you’ve abused your own power with no one else to blame.
Balance is a tricky strategy game.
Technology isn’t evil if you aren’t evil yourself, you can put it to good use for everyone’s best interest.
Learn where the line is and stay within limits.
You can look up from your phone, shut down your display, but go live life not as anyone else says.
Live life your own way.