A Gen-X-er’s Bumpy Journey Through the Digital Age of Endless Choice

“Be yourself no matter what they say.”

Erik P.M. Vermeulen, PhD
4 min readMar 8, 2024
Photo courtesy of author

In the vast expanse of the internet, where information is endless and uncertain, I find myself standing at a crossroads.

This doesn’t feel like a simple online search but a daunting trial filled with countless conflicting opinions and recommendations, each with its own promises of fulfillment and warnings of despair.

My mission is clear but challenging: I am searching for a replacement for my trusty microwave, which served me for over twenty years, but finally gave up last week.

I must find the perfect microwave among a plethora of choices and numerous platforms. The task ahead of me feels like a rite of passage. It requires me to exercise patience and good judgment.

Every review I read, and every comparison I make only adds to the difficulty of the decision-making process.

The digital world is overflowing with options and claims that must be carefully evaluated to find the truth beyond an enticing surface.

It’s like a trial that tests my determination to see through illusions and find the right product.

Is this the reality of shopping in a digital age? Are we reduced to this?

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Erik P.M. Vermeulen, PhD

Prof (law) exploring the collision of life, work, and technology, with a current project in the works - a sci-fi novel.