From Self-Discipline to Anxiety: How Do Smart Watches Precisely Grasp the Psychology of the Middle Class?
Smart watches: a “digital shackle” for the middle class? The middle class, on the one hand, pursues “rational consumption,” and on the other hand, struggles in “conspicuous consumption.” In the eyes of different people, smart watches can be either “digital shackles” or “electronic angels.” In the final analysis, they are a status symbol of the middle class.
1. From fitness to “electronic donkey”: Who is grinding?
– Smart watches exert “gentle control” on the middle class. As soon as they open their eyes every day, they look at the three “circles” on their wrists: calorie consumption, exercise duration, and standing time. In order to close these three rings, some people wake up in the middle of the night to do standing gymnastics, some turn into “arm-swinging maniacs” in the early morning, and some try to “exploit system loopholes.” The original intention of exercise has changed from being for health to being driven by the “circles” and becoming like an electronic donkey grinding.
– After wearing a watch, human exercise becomes “scientific and refined.” Running pace, swimming stroke frequency, etc. are all recorded. But if the data is interrupted, many people will fall into an “existential crisis.” It seems that if their efforts are not recognized by the data, they are in vain. Smart watches are not only a health tool but also a “status symbol” for the middle class. However, this “digital life” further escalates anxiety, and people are working for a cold screen.
2. When the middle class puts on the hat of a “cyber swot”?
– Smart watches make some people fall into “data anxiety.” Little K first looks at the sleep report every morning. Although he feels good physically, when he sees “insufficient deep sleep,” he is overwhelmed with fatigue. When a client rejects him, it’s like a heart attack. He quickly looks at the stress index. When arguing with his partner, he looks at his heart rate by raising his watch. He also downloads an emotion monitoring app but falls into an awkward situation.
– Smart watches make everything quantifiable, making people mistakenly think that there is a “standard answer” to life and fall into a “swot mentality.” Posting in the circle of friends turns into a competition. Showing off data will attract comparison and questioning. Some people shift the blame to the device. Different brands of watches have different interpretations of the same physiological state, leaving people at a loss. People are kidnapped by data. Taking off the watch makes them uncomfortable. Smart watches are more like a magnifying glass for anxiety.
3. From a “fashion item” to a “filial piety artifact,” how does technology bridge the generational gap?
– Smart watches have become “filial piety artifacts.” Little K originally bought a smart watch to monitor exercise data. When he returned home, he found that his parents were the real accurate users. Dad K was very happy walking around the village wearing the new watch. The family group also became active. Parents shared health data and supervised each other’s “circles.” Smart watches provide health insights and avoid risks. The emergency alarm function also reassures children.
– In the early days, smart watches were fashion items. Now they have become “electronic equality” devices, bridging the generational gap. Physiological data and health indicators have become a common language between Little K and his parents. Technological products have transformed from data tools into family bonds. More and more young people buy smart watches for their parents. They are rich in functions and can meet social needs while avoiding the shame of “being monitored” for the elderly. The transformation of smart watches reminds us that the significance of technology is not only efficient living but more importantly, connecting people and bridging generational gaps.
