The computer and internet have become so burrowed in our social and personal fabric that it is hard to picture life without it. From the time I arrive to the time I depart, minus bathroom, lunch and other mini breaks, I sit in front of a computer. Take the computer out of my workday is like taking a sewing machine out of garment making. Workflow would seriously slow, if not come to a full stop.
It’s breathtaking to consider the pace technology has grown. In all of history, perfect a new technology required centuries of updates and the growth of each new “thing” was sluggish at best. But in a matter of a decade or two, all of our gizmos have advanced exponentially. It’s like what used to take hundreds of years just happened in aten.Today, text messages and emails supplant what used to be crafted epistles and beautiful penmanship. People once used letters, numbers and punctuation marks, but now use a colorful landscape of cartoonish pictographs called emojis. From hangover announcements to menstrual cycle reminders – there’s an emoji for every sentiment. You want to know how I feel about that? Smiley poop.
For me, technology is luring… tempting. My phone acts as the same way as a drink to an alcoholic. Who has updated their status? What’s happening on Instagram? Who is pinning what? Have any of my sewing peeps posted something new? Even if I’m mid seam, I want to check what is going on in the world wide web world. You don’t really realize how enmeshed you are until it’s taken away. I realized this last weekend. My hard drive on my computer failed, and three to five days was the prescribed amount of time needed to fix it. Three to five days…. THREE TO FIVE DAYS?! What would I do without a computer for three to five days? Maybe Jesus would know?
Being without a computer was… interesting. Not only did my desk sit empty, which was an eye sore for someone who hates expose cords as much as exposed seams, but the way I acted was different without the temptation. I found myself hanging out in different areas of my house. Because I’m usually blogging or sewing, I rarely sit on my living room coach. But with no computer and no desk to sit at, I found another spot to lounge.
I’m not against computers, technology or the internet. They’re so ingrained in our world that there is no reason to fight against it. It’s here to stay. Get used to it. But it’s interesting to take a step back every now and then and think about what it does to you. Some of its effects are obvious, but some aren’t (like hanging out on the couch). Maybe it’s just me, but it’s scary that a machine is making me do thing unknowingly.
