Not to be confused with a playa…
…although if that’s also you then, do you, and others.
The quote I’m paraphrasing is by that rock star bard, Shakespeare.
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” As You Like It.
Will’s works were also the birthplace for countless terms we use every day. From blushing to dwindle, obscene to elbow and even moonbeam, zany and yelping, Shakespeare coined some legendary terms but I doubt he could’ve predicted the arguable misuse of his stage n’ player line (which refers to the ageing process).
And how does this medieval scribe relate to modern day madness? Well.
As a mother of phone-toting teens, I oscillate between measured rage or quiet encouragement to get the f**k off your phone. I advise. Cajole. Occasionally wag a finger at the thumb-numbing pointless nature of it all. And sure, sometimes it feels like I’m pushing poo up Everest with a toothpick.
So, when I spot some stats on the stupidity of mindless scrolling, I rush to spit the facts for my offspring. And they love neither the spitting nor the facts, bro.
Still, persistence is my superpower.
I showed my youngest a video from a recent festivity called, Delete Day where Gen Z types were deleting their social apps with glee. But my teen was unmoved, choosing to ‘yeah, whatever’ the demonstration.
Why?!
“…because they’ll download the apps again in a week.”
“So, it’s just performative?”
My son nodded, slipped on his headphones and left me to fume over the blurred line between authenticity and putting on a show about everything from ghosting the Gram, to leaking your new love all over my feed.
Is it all for the social preen?
Lights! Camera! Look how plastic-conscious, trans-respectful, tree-hugging, feminist-forward, vegan-loving, politically-wise, paper-straw-striving, pro-left-right-mid, eco-aware I am!
It feels like some of us live on an invisible red carpet. Posing. Expectant. On.
But what if we stepped off the stage and made living – and winning – in the wings, away from algorithms, the real flex?
© Phyllis Foundis 2025