With the new release of the iPhone 4S, there was a mad rush that paralleled the upcoming Black Friday shopping day. One can only wonder the amount of anticipation and revelry for the unveiling of the iPhone 5. This technology fix is a must for digital device junkies, who need to be “connected” at every waking moment of the day.
It is no stark surprise that technology has changed life as we used to know it. But when does it get to the point when we become so engulfed by the radiance of a screen and keyboard (miniature or not) that we must say enough is enough?
Take away a cell phone, laptop, iPad or any other variation of technology, and you don’t have to wait long to realize the tension, nervousness or short-tempered manners from the person you just “unplugged” from their Twitter and Facebook account. These classic signs of withdrawal would plague many techies of our generation who have become engrossed and dependent on their electronic devices.
I have found that the most irritating behavior is when you’re in the middle of a conversation and the person whom you are engaged with whips out his or her smart phone and blatantly texts someone, while interrupting and halting the conversation.
Furthermore, on the list of “don’ts” for dates is constantly updating your statuses and texting your friends while ignoring your company presently at the table. This overwhelming urge to stay in the loop of social media is one way to keep you out of the loop when it comes to the events of the real world.
Sadly, there is a common feeling among people who “couldn’t possibly live” without their digital vice. The feeling is one of isolation – that one is cut off and cast adrift, a social outcast since once hasn’t tweeted ones last 140 characters from the last 18 minutes.
It’s ironic to think that you are missing so much based off of social networks and news feeds that what you are really missing out on are the things that are taking place in the “real” world – not the one found on the MTV channel either.
Cliché yes, but take a minute to stop and smell the flowers. Instead of food dieting, maybe a tech diet should be installed in place.
Detox your daily routine of any electronic components, and find the chance to detach yourself from the pounding of a keyboard and ding of a text message. You’ll find you have ample time on your hands, sleep better at night and improve the overall quality of your well being.
A challenge for you is to turn off your hi-tech gizmos and gadgets and take a low-tech approach to life. You may find that you take pleasure in life more, but don’t bother to tweet about it.