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Kafka On Social Media’s Takeover

Franz Kafka was known for his dark and surreal stories that explore themes such as isolation, human morality, ethics, and anxiety. Kafka's works often depict a bleak and hopeless view of the world, with characters struggling to find their place in society, likely reflecting his own struggles. In a letter from 1922, Kafka wrote, "I have the true feeling of myself only when I am unbearably unhappy" (Kafka 1). Born in 1883 in Prague, Kafka lived only until the age of forty, and in such a short time, his tragic outlook had a significant impact on literature. Kafka’s passion has become some of the most widely read and influential writings of the 20th century. His works have been translated into countless languages and continue to be studied and analyzed by scholars and readers alike. Further implying his affinity for isolationism, a 1904 letter to Oskar Pollak reads, "Being alone has a power over me that never fails. My interior dissolves (for the time being only superficially) and is ready to release what lies deeper. When I am willfully alone, a slight ordering of my interior begins to take place and I need nothing more" (Kafka). Given this perspective, he may have seen social media as a tool that creates a false sense of connection while ultimately leaving users feeling empty and alone. This may seem ideal to Kafka in some sense, but he would have had an almost entirely critical outlook on the epidemic. Kafka would have likely been critical of the addictive qualities of social media and the ways in which it feeds into our natural desire for instant gratification rather than encouraging us to engage in deeper, more meaningful relationships and experiences. Kafka’s approach to the social media epidemic would have been one of skepticism, critique, and resentment.
The ideas Kafka presented are very often described as existential or metaphysical. Journalist Ezra James states (regarding Kafka) that "His philosophy on the purpose of human existence is faithful to the ideas of existentialism" (James 1). Clinical psychologist Amy Marschall describes existentialism as a "philosophy of human nature that identifies people as having free will to determine the course of their lives. It emphasizes individual responsibility to create meaning rather than relying on a higher power or religion to determine what is important…" (Marschall 1). Kafka's view of the purpose of human existence implies that he would not see social media as a meaningful or fulfilling way of engaging with others. According to Kafka, the "conditions of life must be accepted as they are, without the possibility of a solution or a way out" (1). Kafka would have been critical of social media and its’ short-form content for several reasons. He would have viewed social media's emphasis on living vicariously through others and superficial connections as leading to a distorted view of reality, hindering one's ability to determine what's truly important in life through free will. Kafka's philosophy of existentialism emphasizes the importance of authentic, meaningful experiences that allow individuals to take responsibility for their own lives. Short-form content and the addictive nature of social media platforms, which offer drug-like surges of dopamine, do not align with this philosophy. Kafka may have also seen social media as an addiction that offers the illusion of choice, further impeding one's free will. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The value Kafka placed on intrapersonal relationships is often understated and overshadowed by his nihilistic "brooding" and social angst. However, among his many writings and letters, he often places great emphasis on characters' relationships with others as well as his own. Even in his incredibly bleak novel "The Trial," he writes, "Anyone who cannot come to terms with his life while he is alive needs one hand to ward off a little his despair over his fate... but with his other hand he can note down what he sees among the ruins'' (Kafka 292). This emphasizes the importance of human connection and the ability to find meaning in life through relationships with others, even in the face of despair and tragedy. The act of "noting down what he sees among the ruins" suggests a desire to connect with others and share one's experiences with them, indicating that Kafka believed in the value of human relationships and the power they have to give meaning to our lives. Relating this to social media, Kafka would likely view it as a tool that creates a false sense of connection between humans, a superficial substitute for the deeper and more meaningful connections that can only be formed through face-to-face interaction and shared experiences. "Although he never married, Kafka held marriage and children in high esteem" ("Mutual Inspirations Festival" 1). In Kafka's view, social media's emphasis on curated self-presentation and the pursuit of validation through likes and followers would further distort and diminish the authenticity of human relationships, likely causing resentment towards the platforms. Instead, Kafka believed in the importance of cultivating genuine connections based on human interaction, whether positive or negative, which he still observed as integral to the human mind and his writing.

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Kafka valued solitude and introspection, and he saw them as crucial to the creative process. He would be critical of social media's manner of feeding into our natural desire for instant gratification, rather than encouraging us to engage in deeper, more meaningful experiences. "But sleep? On a night like this? What an idea! Just think of how many thoughts a blanket smothers while one lies alone in bed, and how many unhappy dreams it keeps warm'' (Kafka 152). This quote from the short story "The Judgement'' reflects Kafka’s awareness of the power of the mind. A blanket of smothering thoughts suggests that the mind can be both comforted and restrained by physical objects, highlighting the complex relationship between the brain and body. Social media’s platforms promote constant overstimulation and distraction, which could interfere with Kafka's idea of focusing on the deeper, more profound aspects of life and "restraining" the mind. Poet Eugenio Montale recognized the connection between Kafka's isolation and his success, stating that "no writer in our time has been more isolated than Kafka, and yet few have achieved communication as well as he did," showcasing the power behind a lack of distraction (Montale). Kafka’s practice of isolationism and lack of outside interaction was a purposeful contributor to his passion, making social media antithetical to his philosophy.
Kafka's philosophy stresses individual responsibility for creating significance rather than relying on religion or a higher authority to dictate importance. The addictive nature of social media, which caters to our natural desires for satisfaction, would not align with Kafka's ideal existentialism. He would regard social media's focus on living vicariously through others and shallow connections as distorting reality, impeding one's ability to determine what is genuinely valuable in life using their own free will. Kafka also emphasized the significance of nurturing authentic connections based on human interaction and the power they possess to confer a positive or negative influence on our lives. Finally, while social media creates overstimulation and distraction, Kafka placed a premium on solitude and introspection, recognizing them as critical components of the creative process.