Technology Versus Life
May 16, 2010 | 9:56 pmI’m starting to draw a mighty big list of cons, when it comes to technology. Surprising, considering it’s the field i work in… or not… i hear those who work in chocolate factories never want to eat another piece of chocolate ever again, so….
For something that’s supposed to make us more productive, have u ever counted how much time you spend fiddling with, fine-tuning that technology for it to ACTUALLY do what you want it to do? Settings new systems up, figuring out how to make them better, fixing something that doesn’t work, installing product updates, rebooting, watching progress bars… UGH. I’d love someone to actually study this and tell us if we’re actually more productive or if we’re just more… well… busy…
We complain that the computer is making jobs obsolete, but what about all those jobs created to make sure that technology actually works?
Today, as i continue my european experiment, i realize one thing… technology takes your attention away from life. When you’re watching tv, it’s time you’re NOT spending outside taking a walk, when you’re surfing the net in the evenings, it’s time you’re NOT having a conversation with your loved ones, when you’re texting as you walk to your destination, you’re NOT admiring what’s on your way, when you’re sending an email, you’re NOT having a face-to-face conversation (how many times a day to you email the guy sitting 2 cubes away from you at work?), when you’re taking money out of the atm, it’s time you’re NOT exchanging pleasantries with the sexy cashier inside the bank (and not taking 10 minutes to drag yourself awaaaay from ur desk to actually walk to the nearest branch… or getting stressed out because u actually have to wait in line at the bank for 5 minutes, heaven forbid you don’t get back to your computer in time).
As i start coming to the conclusion that Europeans take time to smell the roses, i wonder. North America takes connectivity to a whole new level compared to what i’m observing here. A brash response is to say, “pfff, they’re just not as advanced in europe”… maybe not, but i ask you, would you rather have spent 40% of your life interacting with a computerized piece of equipment or with human beings?
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Great Post! I hear you about too much technology getting in the way of regular human interactions! Technology should be there to help us live more fulfilled lives and assist in mundane tasks..So what happened? We try to create overly complex applications which make working that much less productive and more stressful.
We all need to way to unplug once in a while to truly enjoy life!
Andrew
Totally, 100% agree with you. Although if there is one tiny silver lining, it’s about all the people who find employment helping out those who don’t *get* the technology, but who need it nonetheless.
And don’t even get me started on the people who whip out their crackberry’s or iphone’s when you’re in mid-conversation…
Actually, i hate to say this Suzannah, but i’m one of them, i’ll be listening to someone who’s right in front of me, and knowing i’m doing something wrong, i’ll be nodding emphatically even more to show that i AM listening, but at the same time, i’m taking quick glances at my blackberry… sooo wrong of me…
andrew, i think you’re onto something. technology is, after all, here to stay, so it’s up to us (you know, the humans who supposedly have this thing called free will) to decide how and when we use technology, and maybe i shouldnt’ blame it ON technology, after all, as i just confessed to suzannah, i’m guilty of being a slave to my technology.
so learning how to unplug… u’r right…. working on that…
have you… CAN you… turn your phone off? i think maybe that’s the start. at dinner, phone stays in bag or is turned off. movies, phone off. walking, running, tennis, whatever, phone off…
how about tv, huh? i so admire those who purposely don’t get cable (or a tv at all!)…
Don’t have cable. hehehee….
It is the main reason Minimalism is taking off again I believe. I see Theaters turning to technology that render thechnology obsolete in their space. The other day – i noticed as I went to turn my Blackberry off – that – it was unable to receive. i think that is a good step.
On weekends the devices stay home. We keep one for emergencies – but turned off – unless on the move and meeting a person that may need to get in touch. In other words – it’s working for us – not an enslavement to “it”. I think it makes people feel important – to get all those messages … pushed through from other horrors like facebook, twitter etc.
Great post. I do think Europeans are on to something. On the plus side – I found North Africa and the Middle East worst – they will talk to you and have the blue tooth ear thing going and fight with another person all at once – very disturbing! especially if it ’s a cab driver and he’s no longer watching the road!