“Daddy, I want a golden goose!”

“Alright, Sweetheart, alright. Daddy will get you one as soon as we get home.”

“NO! I want one of those!”

“Wonka, how much do you want for the golden goose?”

“They’re not for sale.”

“Name your price.”

“She can’t have one.”

Who says I can’t?

It’s hard to say how many times as a kid, and even since then, I have quoted these lines from this exchange between Veruca Salt (a snobby little girl), her father (a complete pushover) and Willy Wonka (a one-of-a-kind factory owner) from the cleverly written 1971 film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Veruca Salt, who has brat written all over her, makes this demand of her wealthy businessman father, who obediently complies by asking Willy Wonka how much he’ll take in exchange for a golden goose, to which Wonka simply replies in his calm and undeterred way that “they’re not for sale”.

After this brief exchange, and Veruca not getting what she wants (and it’s apparent she’s not used to being told “no”), she throws a tantrum without even caring how many spectators are in the room; and does it through a hilarious and passion-filled song. Besides, these golden geese happen to do something so absolutely remarkable that she’s never seen or thought possible, and so she wants one. Now! 

Her snobby performance includes both a dance and song to which she sings these lyrics:

 "I want the world. I want the whole world. I want to lock it all up in my pocket...give it to me now!"

There’s no doubt that she has large ambitions to conquer, or at least be handed, the world for her own selfish purposes. The fact that she had a golden ticket was part of a select few being given a tour of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. In fact, it made her a candidate to inherit the entire thing.

The Digital Garbage Chute: Are We Falling In?

However, it wasn't something that could be sold. It came down to how she behaved herself and handled the opportunity given her. But her childish and belligerent approach actually gets her nowhere near her goal. In fact, she–and her father– end up down the garbage chute. She is one of the few, out of millions of children, who had a golden ticket. A golden ticket that could give her something beyond her wildest dreams. Yet instead, she ended up in a nightmarish sort of a place because of how poorly she handled the opportunity given her. And her father ended up there right along with her. And in all honesty, it’s a coin toss as to which of the two carried most of the blame. (I lean more towards the dad). 

Either way, there is a point to be made here. In some way or another, “we all want the world.” That “world” just looks different for each of us. In the case of Veruca’s world, she was so used to getting what she wanted, whenever she wanted it, and without working for it, that she remained completely unsatisfied with her circumstances. In fact, going after every little thing that Veruca thought would make her happy, and sought “to lock up in her pocket”, ultimately led to her demise. 

Similarly, in our pursuit of what we want, we ought to consider how digital devices, including the ones in our “pockets”, can lead to our own demise. We also ought to consider how these digital devices can add value and meaning to our lives in helping us not only get what we want but what truly matters. So, when I mention Veruca and her father ended up down the garbage chute I’m simply pointing out that it’s evident that many are falling down a digital chute of their own.

The Charlie Bucket Approach: Choosing Wisdom Over Excess

Things have advanced so quickly in the world of digital technology that we’ve barely had time to keep up. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Because it’s not the device itself, but what you do with it that determines the outcome. Unlike Veruca Salt, Charlie Bucket  had nothing in terms of worldly means prior to the factory tour. But what they now had in common was they each had a golden ticket. Charlie’s approach led to a very different outcome. He inherited not just a lifetime of chocolate, but Willy Wonka’s entire chocolate factory!

If you’re trying to keep up, you may be missing the point. Just because it’s the latest and greatest technology doesn’t mean you must have it as soon as the product hits the shelves; let alone your kids. Just because something is useful doesn’t mean it should be used. 

Are you reconsidering whether you should have provided a phone for your child at the age you did? Are you asking yourself why you gave in to the pressure placed upon you to let your child open up Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts before the allowed age limit? Do you wish your boys would go out and play in the yard instead of being hooked to playing endless hours of video games?

Today’s 60 Second Action Step

Put your device down, grab a piece of paper (or use the note app on your phone—but only for this), and identify one thing you truly value that is currently being "crowded out" by your screen time.

It could be uninterrupted dinner conversation, a hobby you’ve abandoned, or simply focused time with your kids. That is your Golden Ticket!

What’s Next?

Define what you’re striving for. You’ve been given a golden ticket. Don’t let anything stand in the way of using it to open up a world of possibilities beyond anything you can imagine. Over the next few weeks, we’ll dive into the different types of Digital Seizures we face and how we can regain control.

Want 60-second daily strategies to master technology instead of letting it master you? Join other readers taking back their focus with Digital Wisdom Daily. Subscribe today at DigitalSeizures.com or Download your Digital Wellness Self-Assessment to see where you should begin making improvements today!