It cannot be denied that we are living in a digital age - the chances are you have a computer, access to the internet (if you don't then I'm impressed that you're reading this), a mobile phone, television, a microwave and the list goes on. I am in no way saying that these are bad for us, I just want you to stop and think for a moment about how they effect you and your life. I live on my laptop, literally and figuratively. All my work is stored on my laptop and I have many online personas - these are part of who I am and how I relate to the world. Obviously that's not the only way I relate to the world but it is a very large part of it. I honestly don't know what I would do if I didn't have facebook to take up a majority of my time, probably time I could spend better, but I don't see the harm in taking some time off to feed my fish and prove I can get the best bejeweled score. But I am doing that instead of doing exercise. Granted, I do it because I cannot physically exercise when I'd like to (thank you M.E.) and I try to make sure I spend some time away from the screen (reading, cross-stitch etc) but I fear that others don't bother to take their eyes away from the glare in front of them and actually see the rest of their world. Everything becomes about what you are doing online - not in the physical world, and this is what I think we should be aware of. But as a tool to learn, relieve boredom and convenience technology has and is making leaps and bounds in the way we live.
I haven't even really begun to touch on the subject really in this post as there is simply too much to talk about, perhaps a series about individual little things? Something to think about in the future but for now I'll just leave you with: Don't knock technology but don't take if for granted either - any day you may find yourself without electric so it's always good to have a back-up.
2 comments:
Some very good points here, Bethany. You've really made me think. Like you, I make sure I spend some time away from the screen, but often I can't resist the temptation to check facebook again!
Where would be be without our technology, Bethany?!
It definitely does us good to step away from the Internet and get a good dose of real life instead of the virtual. I love social networking sites but, one has to limit one's exposure to them for the sake of one's sanity, family and writing!
Good technology has its place, but there's nothing like the feel of a pen across paper to ignite creativity - or watching two people in a cafe, deep in conversation. Or sitting on a park bench watching the world go by.
Julie xx
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