The Parable of the X-Ray Machine
May 26,2023
Back in ancient times, when I was about 18, I came across a headline in a minor newspaper: “Screwdriver Found Inside Man’s Head.” Upon reading the one-paragraph “article,” I learned that the screwdriver was eventually discovered in the X-ray machine, not the man’s head, and he was discharged accordingly.
It must have been a slow news day.
Despite the absurdity of the story, I still remember it almost 40 years later, and I imagine this is why: it reminded me that what we see right in front of us, what we are certain to be true, is sometimes just an illusion.
My 22-year old son still teases me because of all the times I was SURE I was right about something, only to be proven wrong – usually by him. Now I try to question myself, especially when I’m certain I’m right, because I’ve learned the hard way that rigidity is often a sign of irrational thinking.
What strikes me now is that the non-newsworthy story about the screwdriver is probably more relevant today than in 1984. If we view the story as a parable, rather than pure inanity, it can be seen as a commentary on the risks of social media culture. Because social media can distort reality, and deliberately lie.
And most insidiously, it can confuse us about our own truths.
When we post on social media, there can be a disconnect between who we wish we were, what we’re projecting to the world, and who we actually are. It’s important to ask ourselves: “Am I using social media to escape not just from the stress of my day, but from my frailty, my vulnerability, my accountability to someone, or my existential reflections about who I truly am?”
When using social media, it’s important to stay connected to what we know about ourselves, and to remember that what is posted by others is often rooted in wishes rather than facts, or in posturing rather than authenticity. Social media isn’t all bad. It can help us organize, connect to others, build community, and reduce isolation.
But it can be overwhelming to see joyful photos of honeymoons when we’re going through a breakup. Or read about the success of an old high school friend when we’ve just been laid off. And it can be tempting to post something about our own successes in return. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, as long as we’re not depending on “likes” to provide us with a sense of value and purpose.
The Parable of the X-Ray Machine reminds us that if we stay rooted in our authentic selves, celebrate the successes of others while also recognizing the illusory nature of the medium, and check the technology frequently, we’ll discover the missing tools more quickly, and learn that we’re healthier than the machines tell us.