Here’s a movie-like disclaimer before you dive into the article:

“No hippie is harmed in writing this article. All the theories mentioned in this article are the findings and reasoning of my own observations in society. Any resemblance to the true work of a scholar will be purely coincidental. This article is subjective and open to people’s views and interests. After all, sociology has never been an objective subject.”

In an article published in the Hindustan Times by journalist Ms. Parmita Uniyal, titled "What is popcorn brain? 5 ways it's impacting your mental health," she discusses popcorn brain, which she says arises from excessive use of social media and multitasking, and its impact on our mental state.

She discusses Dr. Mazher Ali's study on the phenomenon called 'The Popcorn Brain'. According to his study, this condition of the brain is developing gradually due to the increase in the use of social media, multitasking, and maintaining a constant online presence. The popcorn brain, in other words, is characterized by decreased focus and productivity of the brain. It has several deep impacts on the mental state of the brain:

Reduced attention span: 

Individuals struggle to focus or sustain attention on one thing for long periods. This could be attributed to the excessive consumption of reels, short videos on platforms like Facebook and YouTube, which typically last no more than 90 seconds. Such usage increasingly makes it difficult for social media enthusiasts to fix their attention on one thing for an extended period.

Constant hunger for validation: 

New social media users constantly seek validation through likes, comments, subscribers, followers, shares, etc., which helps them maintain their self-confidence. This reliance on external validation can lead to feelings of self-worthlessness as individuals give power to society to validate their self-worth. In the long run, this could have more dangerous effects than anticipated.

Increased stress and anxiety: 

Constant checking of phone notifications contributes to heightened stress and anxiety levels, leading to decreased productivity. This creates a vicious cycle where individuals get less work done and continue to seek validation through social media, perpetuating the cycle of stress and anxiety.

But here in this article, we are not dwelling on the popcorn brain condition; instead, we will talk about what I call 'popcorn character'! Have you ever met someone online who talks to you, perhaps shares an intimate or emotional moment with you for a few days, and then poof! They suddenly vanish? I mean, not literally; they haven't blocked you or anything, they just seem to move on to another person very quickly, perhaps just hanging out and repeating the same cycle? I'm sure you might have come across someone like this. Now, the question arises: what went wrong? Did you switch them off, or was this all just a manifestation of an increasingly popcorn tendency to live life?

Just as popcorn pops out while we cook them and spreads out everywhere, people in this digital realm are present everywhere, multitasking by having tons of connections in social life through various social media platforms. We all know that any work will be fruitful if we focus or concentrate our mind on it, but sociologically speaking, concentration also means commitment and dedication. People with popcorn characters lack this; they get bored not only with things in particular but also with one person in a shorter span. They talk to people, spend time with them, and then move on to others rather too quickly. This tendency to superficially connect with people on the surface level or to connect deeply but for a very short span could be an effect of a popcorn character or popcorn social behavior.

This could be due to many reasons:

Increasing virtual presence and connections: 

People are so engrossed and present virtually that getting out of one's comfort zone of home and socializing outdoors becomes difficult. They tend to find people online, talk to them, and when they lose concentration or commitment, they hop on to others.

Lack of emotional availability in fast-paced life: 

Individuals are so busy in their lives that they struggle to connect emotionally with others and give them ample time to discuss issues on a deeper level. The work culture in the artificial intelligence world has become so fast that making genuine emotional connections with people seems tougher now.

Growth in intolerance: 

People are seemingly less sincere now, with the increase in intolerance. The culture of being ok to move out of commitments even at the tiniest inconvenience is growing evidence of the lack of genuineness and real bonds in relationships, regardless of the type.

Is popcorn character harmful?

We all know popcorn brain is not a good condition or a symptom as it takes away the power of focus and affects our mental health in a number of ways like seeking validation, increased stress, and anxiety, etc., as discussed previously. But what about the so-called ‘popcorn character’? Is it not what people say, that everyone is free to exhibit individualism, and so it is ok to have developed a social behavior or character where you’re not interested in maintaining a relationship with any one person? Albeit this is a debatable topic, but a few direct repercussions of a prevalent popcorn way of life are:

• Anomie: In sociology, this means a state where people are disconnected and lack empathetic attachment.
• Social Acceleration: Refers to the rapid pace of life where there’s no time for emotional bonds or needs, leading to depression, anxiety, and stress.
• Disintegration of Social Bonds: Leads to the degradation of societal norms and values regarding commitment and maintaining relationships, resulting in increased divorce rates and a decline in long-term relationships.

Ways to put corn back on the cob?

Social Media Detox and Meditation will definitely help in remedying popcorn brain. Here are few ways to grab the corn and put it back on the cob.

• Acknowledge human relationships: Understand that connections with others are important for our well-being.
• Make deep connections: Focus on forming meaningful relationships rather than superficial ones.
• Improve and inculcate ethics: Work on being a better person and following moral principles in your actions.
• Practice meditation: Take time to relax and clear your mind to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Live a purpose-oriented life: Find meaning and direction in your goals and actions, aiming for a fulfilling life. Sense of purpose generates a sense of responsibility and aspiration to live a directional life. People with a popcorn character are mostly found to be directionless.

To sum up…

The concept of "popcorn character" raises important questions about how we interact with others in the digital age. While it may seem harmless to quickly move from one connection to another, there are deeper implications for our relationships and society as a whole. The rapid pace of life and virtual connections can lead to a lack of emotional depth and commitment, ultimately affecting our mental health and societal bonds.

However, there are steps we can take to address this issue. By acknowledging the importance of human relationships, making deep connections, and practicing ethical behavior, we can work towards building meaningful connections and combating the negative effects of the popcorn way of life. Additionally, practices like meditation and living with purpose can help us find balance and direction in our lives.

Ultimately, it's important to recognize the impact of our actions on ourselves and others, and strive to cultivate genuine connections and values in our increasingly digital world.

.    .    .