he internet, as we know, is like everything else in life – it has both positive and negative aspects.

There are good things happening, from connecting people to loved ones in a pandemic era and providing young people access to educational material in countries where it isn’t available to showing the face of political uprising in certain countries where journalists can be thrown in jail or not issued visas. And those are just some basic examples.

But the internet can be a bad thing too. Phishing can allow those who practice this fraudulent scheme to represent themselves as trustworthy organizations and in the process rob you of your personal data, financial information, and your metadata can land on the dark web and from there it can go anywhere to anyone who can do whatever they want.

However, what is needed most is a balance when using the internet and being aware about technology as it continues to evolve.

Some will ask themselves: why bother with the internet and the therapeutic tools it provides? Here’s why: the internet (not the code) is not binary like everything else. You do need to operate with a modicum of awareness, such as protecting your data by changing your passwords every month (as explained by a former FBI director), but apart from being cautious, you will find some of the most impressive things being done by people around the world. It may even inspire you and influence you in ways you cannot compute just yet.

“Go to sleep now, my darling

I’ll try keep the bad dreams away

Breathe now, breathe easier

And I’ll think of all the right things to say.” – ‘My Darling’ by Wilco

Never has it been easier to find soothing podcasts as well as apps dedicated to education, language, grammar, gaming, coding, and mindfulness than today. Among these therapeutic learnings, there is something called ASMR that’s taking the world by storm.

Understanding what ASMR originates from is something basic that you may or may not even need to know in detail. You just might wonder what on earth is going on?

ASMR, which stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response doesn’t have scientific research behind it. What it does refer to is the sensation it creates. It began from sound, whispering words and music you might hear at your dentist’s clinic. But since then, it has evolved into much more.

Millions of people around the world feel this sensation as a soothing, relaxing world of content. And this is where YouTube comes in. Search ‘ASMR videos’ and you will look at restoration to craftsmanship. It is also a tutorial in what not to do if a designer bag that you saved up for and have been using for years is coming apart. The same applies to footwear and particularly the rising interest in sneakers. It is not always something you can try at home because to do these restorations or creations, there are specific tools used by experts who make these videos. How to design a staircase that is safe in architectural manner and also looks good – just search for ASMR. The topic can be as simple as cleaning the sole of a shoe to cleaning a car that looks like it is from a time when the World Wide Web did not exist. Apart from generating awe over how much work truly goes into many ASMR videos – where a person will detail an entire process of restoring something that can be expensive like a vintage car – it can create a sensation that will help you during days of sleeplessness or a long, overwhelming day. There is an ASMR video for just about everything, from book binding to how to create your own sketchbook, or clean wood of different types, cleaning furniture, and the list goes on and on.

However, while this newest fad is taking over the Internet, do not try such things at home because the tools used should only be used by an expert.

The purpose of ASMR is not to use the tools in many cases but let the video wash over you and the sensation it creates, almost like hypnosis but not quite. Just watching a pair of sneakers that have falling apart completely and watching an ASMR video bring it back to its former glory is great fun. As an insomniac, I swear by its attraction, so indulging in these videos is worth your time, especially after – as The Beatles sang – a hard day’s night.