It appears to be such a simple question: Is technology destroying your life? It today’s technology-obsessed world we are starting to see the stresses and strains of everyday technology turn life’s pleasures into perils.
As an admitted techno-junkie, here are a few thoughts for your consideration.
Are you being forced to work beyond acceptable “normal” work hours by technological devices such as BlackBerrys, Mobile Phones and Office/Home computer access?
Are you a slave to the ring of a telephone or an announcement tone of any kind?
Do you over-spend to obtain the latest in technology?
Do you find that most features in your preferred device are never explored or used?
It is no medical secret that stress levels rise and hormones secreted when faced with “alert” tones. Depending on your personal expectations at the moment, the simple ring of a phone combined with the thought of anticipated problem, can easily raise respiration and heart rates.
What can YOU do?
Above all, view technology as a tool. Something to assist you in accomplishing a beneficial task or mitigating a negative consequence or outcome.
Control technology before it controls you. Turn the phone off and let the answering machine pick up the message. If you are overly fearful that the call involves a loved one or an important situation, invest in a separate line (with a different ring tone) for “emergency” purposes. Excoriate anyone that abuses this number.
Learn to use the features that make a difference. Example, use e-mail filtering rules to categorize your e-mail based on sender, subject keywords or a host of other criteria. Learn to program those labor saving devices.
Engage in “time-shifting.” I confess that I am a TiVo addict. I get a “season pass” to record all episodes of programs that I am interested in. Then I time-shift by playing them back at my convenience. While TiVo does not automate commercial-skipping as demanded by the media poobahs…I have programmed my remote for a 30–second skip — and the commercials are quickly and easily bypassed; as are any boring stories or content which does not interest me.
If you are bored, turn away from technology into something more stimulating and productive. Even going for a walk is often more beneficial than booting-up a computer to scan any e-mail which may or may not have arrived. Get involved in local charities or political organizations.
Do not make technology your “hobby” unless technology becomes a “means-to-an-end.” It is tough enough to face a computer screen at work only to come home to another computer screen. Computers and especially those connected to the Internet have a way of turning your life inward or towards an unrealistic fantasy journey that mostly consumes time. See the above it about boredom.
Before purchasing “keep-up-the-the-Jones” technology, make sure that you actually need the device as much as “want” the device. If you wait three to six months, the “cool” factor will often have dissipated. If you are seeking to emulate high-powered executives with their status symbols and toys, note that there is a price to pay to sport the same goodies … but it still will not turn you into someone else. The greatest example: a doofus with a BlackBerry and jumbo plasma television is still a doofus.
Avoid friends like me. My best friend, who shall remain nameless, was a committed technophobe.
In years past, Al’s (oops) closest encounter with technology was a television, a radio, a telephone, and a miniature tape recorder he used for note-taking at work. His life was simple and compartmentalized. There was work and everything else. His contact with computers was limited only to work.
He did not see the benefit of a home computer, just as he did not see the need to invest in a mobile phone. A laptop computer; forget it.
As the years progressed, he found himself with a computer (a hand-me-down passed along by a friend). As more time progressed, he added a few items like additional computer memory, a used printer and splurge on a mobile phone. His investments in technology were often limited to replacement toner cartridges and such. The majority of his advanced technology was used 1/5 rather than 24/7.
After a few more years passed, he has become quite adept with handling technology. To the point of knowing how to set up routers. And design a house using a computer-assisted drafting program.
But, unfortunately he is CHEAP (he claims frugal and value-wise) or he would have invested in better equipment and a more diverse software suite by now. I look forward to his latest computer purchase: a used laptop, which he claims are “sufficient” for his needs. Leaving him with additional funds to be used on his new house or leisurely travel.
However, to his credit, he is the most level-headed person I know — who keeps technology in its rightful place: working for him rather than making his life more frenetic.
Remember: technology is a tool that can save your life, preserve the quality of your life, or turn your life into an anxiety-ridden paranoid maelstrom.
A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…
steve
Hi Steve, great thought you just posted. I am a big fan on this issue also.I list my own version of saving our life with mobile lifestyle technology around us. Check it out at my blog if you have time. As you said:" small change for greater improvement".
Posted by: bins | August 22, 2007 at 01:54 AM