What does Smombie mean?

Reading time 4 minutes

• Where does the word smombie come from and what does it mean?
• 3 everyday examples
• Digital Detox as a countertrend?

The neologism "smombie" is already known by many people. The combination of the words "smartphone" and "zombie" has shaped the new digital generation. A smombie constantly uses his cell phone and therefore finds it difficult to perceive his environment. This obsessive constant checking of the cell phone has already won it the Youth Word of the Year award in Germany. The word "smombie" became known in 2010, when it was used for the first time by Langenscheidt (a publishing house). This is where the first definition of smombie meaning comes from.

The simple self-review, can sometimes be demotivating. An article from WELT online has listed a fitting example in this regard at concerts. People love to see the musician live, but the disturbances caused by smartphones are increasing rapidly. Glowing screens and constant profiling with selfies have permanently changed the experience. Sharing an experience via social media channels finds many people conflicted, as the real thing, the music, is increasingly fading into the background. A classic dichotomy of our digital generation. The first entertainers have already created a counter-trend, such as U.S. rapper Macklemore, who increasingly asks his fans to put their cell phones aside to fully enjoy the show.

The second example comes from mass transit. The constant willingness to be available and the increasing social pressure can limit people in their actions. In earlier years, people still enjoyed reading a newspaper or a book during a train ride or on a flight, but now they send messages, check Instagram and play magically attractive mobile games. The perception of the environment and an interpersonal communication exchange suffers massively as a result. Short conversations and social exchange will therefore become an increasingly important skill in the future.

We have taken the third example from the sports sector. Some time ago, sport was still part of our survival, but nowadays it's more of a status symbol. From hunter to poser and thus from survival to showing off. The digital world entertains us during our sports sessions with music, podcasts, news, etc., and Instagram, YouTube and the like further fuel these trends. Overall, the number of gyms has increased, as has the number of photos shared on social media. - This trend was further reinforced by Corona. The problem behind this is the compulsion to constantly compare ourselves to one another. Beauty ideals are pursued that are neither healthy for the body nor the mind. It has even come to the point that vogue has already pointed out this problem. This constant form of seeking confirmation can have health consequences:

• Anorexia
• False external perception
• Self-insulation
• Signs of addiction
• Negative thought

To name just a few of the many problems.