Sadly, cell phones are even destroying relationships. I know a man whose fiancee dumped him because he resented the fact that she couldn't put it down during their visits. Go figure!
This is my long response but this topic has had me concerned since about 2008. It's been one of the contributing factors in my personal relationships that have deteriorated but it's also been a majority of my career working social and web. Everything is built through prompt system notifications, it's quite astounding how pervasive this is in our lives as you point out.
It has in part driven me to very recently make an effort to rent a seasonal camp site that does not have any access to internet or screens. This way, we can fully participate in a "tech shabbat" on weekends. While my attempts are met by offers to donate a tv screen and impolite disapproval and even refudiation, I won't give up. While I'm concerned about what this tech has done to my brain and children, I look forward to increased voice activated tech, projection without the required space google immersive reality headsets and other 'minimally invasive' solutions to help solve my own and societies screen addiction problem; making the world a better place. I was excited for the humane launch but also disappointed as the price point felt like a barrier as these things can be when first introduced. I feel we have been guinea pigs as this all evolves, emerging research has been signaling red flags. Perhaps by 2030 or 40, we will look back and wonder how we could have ever been held hostage by our devices.
I worked for someone who in the early 2000's, we had talked about how much of an 'emergemcy' everything had become since having a cell at that time was common place. As a result, he gave his up. It's not so easy to be able to do that now. I often wonder what he would think if he were still alive only 20 years later.
One minute it is peaceful and quiet. I'm in the middle of writing a poem or essay and the pure silence is broken with: barking dogs, loud, roaring motorcycles or loud vehicles! My mind goes limp and I forgot what I had wanted to say! And then it starts to rain and the lightning flashes and the thunder booms like an explosion! How can I concentrate? Oh, but the explosions of fireworks on or near the 4th of July will surely shatter my thoughts and dreams!
no one is all this tech stuff you clearly defined the reason you call yourself no one on substack?
I like no one because it is a very indefinite pronoun. The tech stuff relates in a sense as I have had a challenging experience with it.
The no one alias is more of an homage to ghost writing, which I used to do. Lots to unpack on that, I could probably write several essays on it 😉
I also hard a difficult time deciding on an alias so in a way, this made it very easy.
Now I understand. Thanks,
Thank you Allen, your description of what technology, multitasking, and lack of sustained attention really resonates with me.
I'm going to the mountains soon with husband, dog, and no WiFi.
You've really got me yearning to be there.
And wondering about what it actually is the ails me these days. 🤔
No wifi and that will help with what ails you. No wifi and I hope no cell phones, no texting. Breathe in the mountains
Sadly, cell phones are even destroying relationships. I know a man whose fiancee dumped him because he resented the fact that she couldn't put it down during their visits. Go figure!
Sounds like there were probably lots of problems there.
This is my long response but this topic has had me concerned since about 2008. It's been one of the contributing factors in my personal relationships that have deteriorated but it's also been a majority of my career working social and web. Everything is built through prompt system notifications, it's quite astounding how pervasive this is in our lives as you point out.
It has in part driven me to very recently make an effort to rent a seasonal camp site that does not have any access to internet or screens. This way, we can fully participate in a "tech shabbat" on weekends. While my attempts are met by offers to donate a tv screen and impolite disapproval and even refudiation, I won't give up. While I'm concerned about what this tech has done to my brain and children, I look forward to increased voice activated tech, projection without the required space google immersive reality headsets and other 'minimally invasive' solutions to help solve my own and societies screen addiction problem; making the world a better place. I was excited for the humane launch but also disappointed as the price point felt like a barrier as these things can be when first introduced. I feel we have been guinea pigs as this all evolves, emerging research has been signaling red flags. Perhaps by 2030 or 40, we will look back and wonder how we could have ever been held hostage by our devices.
I worked for someone who in the early 2000's, we had talked about how much of an 'emergemcy' everything had become since having a cell at that time was common place. As a result, he gave his up. It's not so easy to be able to do that now. I often wonder what he would think if he were still alive only 20 years later.
It's a good idea to take a tech shabbat but it's not easy. Thank you for your meaningful and thoughtful response.
One minute it is peaceful and quiet. I'm in the middle of writing a poem or essay and the pure silence is broken with: barking dogs, loud, roaring motorcycles or loud vehicles! My mind goes limp and I forgot what I had wanted to say! And then it starts to rain and the lightning flashes and the thunder booms like an explosion! How can I concentrate? Oh, but the explosions of fireworks on or near the 4th of July will surely shatter my thoughts and dreams!
Allan