Why Unplugging Is the Greatest Revolution of the 21st Century

 

In an era where every second feels like it’s racing with notifications, “unplugging” – disconnecting from the flow of information for a moment – ​​is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Think about it: today, on average, we spend more than 4 hours a day staring at a smartphone screen. During that time, we miss the simplest moments—a friend’s smile, the sound of the afternoon breeze, the calming beat of our own heart. This essay asks us to reconsider the value of relentless connectivity and argues that stopping, even for a moment, can be a revolutionary act.

Why Are We Trapped?
Notifications are designed to be addictive: flashing lights, subtle vibrations, distinctive sounds—all concocted to elicit an instant emotional “reward.” When we respond, our brains release dopamine, leaving us searching for the next “like,” “comment,” or “share.” Ironically, the more we connect, the more disconnected we become from ourselves and our real world—we are present in the virtual world, but absent from life.

Impact on Mental Health
Several studies have shown a correlation between excessive social media use and anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The “compare and despair” condition makes many people feel like failures because they judge themselves based on the perfect clips presented by others. It’s no wonder that feelings of inadequacy (“I’m not enough”) creep up slowly, then settle in. Unplugging is not just about unplugging; it’s a form of resistance to the culture of digital perfectionism.

The Power of Silence and Full Awareness
When we are silent, our inner world speaks. Mindfulness practice—observing our breath, paying attention to our heartbeat—brings lost awareness. Research in the field of neuroplasticity proves that regular meditation can grow “grey matter” in the area of ​​the brain that regulates empathy and emotional control. Unplugging opens up that silent space, giving us the opportunity to re-arrange our thought patterns, from reactive to reflective.

Practical Steps to Start Unplugging:

- Determine a “Tech-Free” Schedule: Start 30 minutes before bed—turn off all devices, put your smartphone in a drawer.

- Replacement Ritual: Replace scrolling social media with reading a physical book, writing a journal, or simply walking while observing the color of the sky.

- Set Notification Limits: Turn off notifications except for important calls. Messaging apps can be batched: open them only twice a day.

- Invite Friends: Create an unplug challenge together—it’s easier when you have friends to support each other.

True Story: “Unplug Retreat”
I once attended a retreat at the top of West Java: five days without signal. At the beginning, anxiety attacked—“What if there’s something important?” But by the third day, the silence felt sweet. In the middle of the pine forest, I jotted down story ideas, wrote poetry, and even assembled a simple IoT prototype without any distractions. When I returned to the city, I realized: the best creativity emerges when we let our minds wander, not when we’re glued to the screen.

Changing Work and Education Culture
The concept of “deep work”—focused work without distractions—is starting to be adopted by global innovative companies. Google to Spotify provide “quiet rooms,” gadget-free spaces to boost ideas. On campus, some lecturers enforce a “laptop free zone” so that face-to-face discussions are more lively. These small steps prove: unplugging is not a rejection of progress, but a strategy to maximize human potential.

Conclusion: The Silent Revolution
While the world is treating constant connectivity as a symbol of productivity, we need a pause to redefine what productivity itself means. Unplugging—removing ourselves from the digital vortex—is a bold act that affirms that we are more than just data passing through. It’s a silent revolution, where every second without a screen carves out mental acuity, emotional richness, and boundless creativity. Post this essay, and perhaps millions of souls will be moved to take a pause—starting a simple revolution that, who knows, will change the world.

Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning 2025 Review

 

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning stands as a powerful and emotional conclusion to Ethan Hunt's legendary journey. While it may not showcase a single jaw-dropping stunt like the iconic motorcycle cliff jump, it masterfully weaves callbacks from earlier films, tying together decades of action, transformation, and character development. Tom Cruise, now nearly 63, still delivers an intense physical performance with his trademark sprint scenes, and the narrative honors the franchise’s roots while reflecting on the passage of time and the toll of the mission.

What elevates this film beyond its thrilling action is the emotional depth and sense of family among the team. The loss of Ilsa is handled with grace, adding heartfelt weight to the story. Intelligent humor lightens the tension, keeping the long runtime brisk and engaging. As the series evolved from its ensemble-TV origins to more emotionally driven arcs—especially after Mission: Impossible Fallout—The Final Reckoning opens the door for new faces to potentially carry on the legacy. If this truly marks the end, it is a deeply satisfying and fitting farewell to one of cinema’s most iconic action franchises.

Andor Season 2 Review

 

Andor stands as the greatest Star Wars production to date. The lead-in to Rogue One was flawlessly executed—a brilliant finale that capped off an extraordinary series. It’s genuinely heartbreaking that it has come to an end. I had hoped we’d see five full seasons, though I understand the challenges that prevented it. Nonetheless, the team made the most of these two seasons and delivered a mesmerizing chapter in the Star Wars legacy. Tony Gilroy, the cast, and the crew all deserve immense credit for what they’ve accomplished. This final episode not only laid the groundwork beautifully but also kept us intrigued with its unexpected turns. I fear we may never experience Star Wars of this quality again, but I’m deeply thankful to have been part of this unforgettable journey. May the Force be with you!

Thunderbolts* Movie Review (2025)

MCU Phase 5's Shocking and Heartwarming Finale

As the closing of Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 5, Thunderbolts* comes with an unexpected surprise. This film brings a fresh feel that has long been missing from the MCU, even providing an emotional and moving viewing experience, although it cannot yet be called “absolute cinema”. However, amidst the saturation of the MCU formula that has recently felt repetitive, Thunderbolts* finally becomes one of the truly enjoyable shows—since the last time we watched Spider-Man: No Way Home.

One of the most surprising moments comes when Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine indirectly—or perhaps because of the influence of Sentry’s manipulation—announces the presence of The New Avengers. This scene is so shocking, especially when the iconic soundtrack of The Avengers is played again, even if only briefly. The nostalgic effect it creates is so strong that it gives goosebumps—truly goosebumps.

The presence of two credit scenes also adds weight to the story going forward. The mid-credit scene is just a joke by Red Guardian with a shopper at a supermarket when he shows off a Wheaties Box Cereal from The New Avengers , while the post-credit scene expands the MCU connection to the Fantastic Four. It is said that the Fantastic Four's spaceship was detected entering Earth-616, possibly through a portal or wormhole. It is suspected that Reed Richards used a Time-Space GPS-like device—inspired by Tony Stark's technology—that was disrupted by Galactus' attack. The devourer of worlds destroyed their universe, and in the chaos, the Fantastic Four were finally "thrown" into the main MCU universe. This is a very promising multiverse setup.

In terms of story, Thunderbolts* is indeed reminiscent of Suicide Squad, but has a different identity and character. The plot is built gradually and neatly until it reaches a fairly emotional climax. The theme of "found family" is a common thread, especially in the touching relationship between Alexei and Yelena. The interactions between team members also feel organic and entertaining—their chemistry can even be said to be more compact than Manchester United's midfield!

The audience will also find deep emotional layers from these characters. This time, Marvel dares to touch on mental health issues more seriously than before. This is reflected through the complex dynamics between characters, especially Yelena, played by Florence Pugh very well. She managed to convey a sense of emptiness and inner pain very convincingly, making the audience care about her journey. Not to forget, Bucky Barnes again steals the attention in every appearance—yes, this may be a bit biased, but it still deserves to be highlighted!

Although the third act of this film is a little less solid than the beginning and middle, Thunderbolts* still managed to show that they are a solid team. This film reminds us that people who seem quiet or introverted and have a lot of problems are often the ones who need to be talked to the most—otherwise, they can become The Void themselves😭😭😭

Oh yeah, one more thing, I don't like Marvel Studios because some characters like Taskmaster Maria Hill were deliberately killed off too quickly and their deaths were ridiculous.

Trivia

Avengers Tower was purchased by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Leader of OXE Group and the one who developed Project Sentry) from Tony Stark in 2016 possibly after the Civil War event and renovated into Watchtower. Spiderman once glided in the atrium of the Watchtower in July 2024 (Spider-Man: Far From Home event).

Harry Maguire: Di Antara Hinaan dan Keheningan Gol Kemenangan

 

Harry Maguire bukan sekadar dikritik—ia diseret ke panggung hinaan, dilucuti dari jabatan kapten, dijadikan kambing hitam, bahkan diancam dengan kematian.

Di tahun-tahun kelam itu, dunia seperti sepakat: Maguire bukanlah bek tengah, melainkan pelawak di atas panggung tragedi bernama Manchester United.

Langkahnya terlihat kaku, responnya lamban—bukan benteng pertahanan, melainkan celah yang mengundang lawan. Beberapa kali ia bahkan menjadi alasan bola bersarang ke gawang sendiri, seakan lupa siapa yang harus dibela.

Namun Maguire tahu, pertandingan selalu berakhir dengan peluit panjang—bukan dengan suara riuh cercaan dari tribun dan media sosial.

Ia pernah terjatuh, terperosok ke dasar karier, namun tak pernah ia lupakan perannya: bukan badut, melainkan bek.

Ketika banyak pemain bersembunyi dari sorotan publik, ia memilih berdiri—tak goyah, tak lari, hanya diam dan bersiap merebut kembali kepercayaan yang hilang.

Hinaan tak pernah habis, umpatan datang silih berganti, tapi selama pertandingan belum berakhir, Maguire tetap bertahan. Entah itu di garis pertahanan, atau di kursi cadangan.

Dan perlahan, ia menjawab semua keraguan: bukan lewat kata-kata, melainkan lewat permainan. Ia memang tampil di panggung, tapi bukan untuk menghibur—untuk membuktikan.

Kini, yang dulu dituduh penyebab kekalahan, justru menjadi kunci kemenangan. Ketika lini depan kehilangan taring, Maguire maju ke garis depan. Bek yang dulu kehilangan arah, kini jadi titik tumpu harapan.

Tiga gol penentu kemenangan ia cetak dalam senyap. Semuanya di menit akhir. Semuanya lewat sundulan—sebuah simbol dari tekad yang tak mau tumbang.

Harry Maguire telah membuktikan satu hal: ia bukan hanya tahu cara bertahan, ia juga tahu bagaimana caranya bertahan dari dunia yang ingin menjatuhkannya.

Sampai peluit panjang ditiup, semua orang boleh berkata apapun. Tapi Maguire akan tetap berdiri. Sebab ia seorang pemain bertahan. Dan karena ia juga—keras kepala.