Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Disconnecting in an overly-connected world...

Technology is a wonderful thing... until it takes over.

I'm reminded on a fairly regular basis that, these days, people are so attached to social networks, television and cell phones that they're beginning to lose their personal connection with everything around them.  I always think "how sad that someone could be so addicted to TV that they don't spend time with their family, so connected on Facebook and Twitter that they're unable to perform a single action during their day without letting their 'friends' know what they're up to, and so in need of a constant connection to the outside world that they can't even part with their cell phone during dinner." 

And then I remember... I'm one of those people.

Heaven help me if I haven't read every single post in my Facebook news feed.  And there are just some shows I can't possibly miss.  I pretend it's not so bad... it's not as if I stay home on a Wednesday night because I don't want to miss my favorite show... that's what a DVR is for!  And think of all the time I save by fast forwarding through the commercials!

Don't get me wrong, there's no harm in watching TV, keeping up with friends and relatives online or being connected to the outside world.  The problem is when Facebook feels like a lifeline.  When the fate of television characters starts to feel as important as the real people in our lives.  When the misplacement of a cell phone causes panic to set in, as if it's the worst possible thing that could ever happen.

Of course, I can't just deactivate my Facebook account... too many relatives rely on me to post pictures of my son and keep them apprised of the goings on in his life.  It's not for me, it's for them.  And as far as TV is concerned, who doesn't deserve a little down time... a little break from reality... a chance to lose yourself in the lives of nonexistent people? 

Still, I find myself wondering... what would life be like if I could just disconnect for a while.  Would I be more productive?  Would I be bored enough to workout on a regular basis?  Would it allow me to take more time to reconnect with the people I call friends?  Sadly, I'm not sure I have the willpower to find out... the very idea of disconnecting makes me nervous... I break out in a cold sweat... now that I think of it, where is my cell phone?  Maybe I should make sure I haven't missed a call.

As I finish this post, my cell vibrates to alert me of a new text received and I drop everything I'm doing as if this will be an earth-shattering matter that I must attend to immediately.  An 'I love you' text from my husband.  Sweet?  Absolutely.  Earth-shattering?  Debatable.  I may not be up for the challenge... but I'm certainly a prime example of someone who should give it a shot. 

The acknowledgment of a problem is a step in the right direction... right?

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