Does anyone remember back in the day when “they” were foretelling a time when technology would produce a paperless office and shorter workweeks? According to “them”, we should now be sitting back and enjoying da-life while technology takes care of all our woes.
However, something happened that no one forecast. We became slaves of the very technology that was supposed to set us free. Now don’t get me wrong, I love technology. I love what it can do for me. However, when I start having to do more for it than it does for me, that’s when I get cranky. And start writing nostalgic remember when blog posts. It’s a lose/lose situation for everyone.
You see, as I sit here on an overcast Sunday, lazily enjoying some downtime and sipping on a sugar-free Almond Roca moccachino, I realize something. Today is my downtime. My off day. My one day to relax, chill out and reflect. And what am I doing? Panicking because I have 171 tweets on my iPhone that I haven’t read. Several emails that are unanswered. A Facebook profile that has been unattended for hours.
So while I should be sabbathing, I am trying to weed through and ingest the vast amount of information that technology has thrown my way.
Here is a sample of what I have learned in the past hour, just from twitter:
@ecvoshawna today is National Philanthropy Day
@mastermaq provides me with an ireport on the Christmas celebrations at Churchill Square
@fusedlogic fills me in on a Canadian tour to the UK to promote oil sands awareness
@markraganceo is helping me understand what drives speechwriters to drink
@ ChrisLaBossiere provides an interesting if slightly esoterical article on progressive capitalism
@whatsnext shows me how to make a free pet photo e-card
Of course, this is just the tip of the 171-tweet iceberg.
What is the answer to this overwhelming information and technology overload? I can’t answer that for everyone, but I know for me it is an ongoing process that includes several checks and balances. I have a significant other who is willing to risk raising an eyebrow when I check facebook during dinner, a friend who shares her impressions of tweet-happy people (can you say, “Get a life?” I knew you could.)
I am also trying to stay aware. Aware of how I am reacting and interacting with technology but also with the people around me.
The other day I was in a MacDonald’s restaurant in Red Deer (it wasn’t my pick, honest) and I was aghast to realize that they had kids video game terminals set up. Kids could come in and munch on chicken nuggets while playing video games. I commented that we are raising a generation of slack-jawed people that won’t have the ability to sit and converse with the person across the table. Then I had a twinge of guilt when I realized my smart phone is the adult equivalent.
So, while I finish updating my facebook status, why don’t you share with me how you manage to keep technology under control in your life?
