Technology Overload

There are times when I sit in the house in total silence, no TV, no music, no computer. I am one of those that doesn't want to lose touch with life without technology. Sometimes I walk without music blasting in my ears so I can enjoy the birds and hear a squirrel scampering around in the trees above me. I need that nature fix more than I need that music fix.

Mobile phones, smart phones and now “tablets”, can keep you connected at all times to all types of technology. Phone, email, skype (video conferencing, for those of you who are not familiar), texting, camera, video, faxing, music, movies, TV, you name it, it is all at your fingertips.

The most recent internet research shows that companies with the most “like’s” on Facebook, will now get higher search result rankings. Doesn't this particular method of providing internet search results seem a bit skewed? Is this a popularity contest, or an elect-the-best-suited-candidate contest? Obviously it’s a ploy to get us to use their site more and more, thus using our technology more and more.
You would think with all of these great gadgets making our lives better and more efficient, that for instance, we would never be late for something important.

I’m sure we have all heard the saying “there is an App for that”. Have trouble getting someplace on time? There is an application that you can use that will help you with that. Have trouble losing weight? There is an app for that. There are mobile applications for just about everything. Your life can almost be run for you!

Then, that begs the question: What happens if you lose your smartphone, or your technology crashes or gets a virus? (Gasp)

New studies suggest that LCD light emitted by computers or other gadgets could be a cause of insomnia. Others argue that intellectual stimulation from using these devices in the evening could also cause insomnia.

Maybe we need a “turn off technology” day. Try it once per month, and then try it once per week. What would really happen if we did this? Would our relationships improve? Would our sleep improve? What would happen if we weren't always reachable at a moments notice? I think we would survive just fine.