Thankful Thursday: Technology
It's a Love/Hate Relationship
I have a love/hate relationship with technology.
I love when it works, and I have the time to use it. That means the wifi is strong, and I can blog, surf and Netflix without interruptions or buffering. It means having the time to enjoy it outside of daily distractions like working and house chores. As a tree hugger, I appreciate saving paper and being able to read the news online. Social media keeps me better connected with family and friends.
I'm also a cheap date.Â
In the early 80s, my brother moved to California after college graduation. I remember calling long distance and being amazed at how effortless it was to have a conversation across 2,400 miles. Of course, in those days, you had to dial a 1 + the area code + the phone number, but the extra 'work' was worth it. Ma Bell coined the phrase, "It's the next best thing to being there," and she was right.
Technology still impresses me today in even greater measure.Â
Those of us born before computers remember things that younger folks never experienced (now I'm really dating myself.)Â
Black & white televisions with bunny ears and having to get up to change one of three channels. Rotary phones connected to a wall that only allowed us to move the length of the chord. Or, how about manual typewriters and those little squares of white correction paper to erase typos?
I remember standing on the beach in Florida in July of 1969, watching the launch of the first manned mission to the moon. I was eight years old and absolutely amazed watching that rocket race through the blue sky towards space. When visiting family in Cocoa Beach today, I still get goosebumps watching launches from the nearby Kennedy Space Center.
The technological revolution has produced many incredible changes over the last 50+ years. The fact that we carry a pocket computer with 100,00 times the processing power of the computer that put those men on the moon totally blows my mind.
The ability to FaceTime, Zoom, or HouseParty with family and friends has been a luxury during the pandemic. But, of course, so is just about everything we do. Think how many times you use technology in a day. Computers, phones, televisions, cars, the Keurig, the Sonic Care, the Roomba, Alexa...the list is endless!
But, like many other things, we tend to take it for granted…until we don't have it.Â
I was house-sitting for a relative in 2017 when Hurricane Irma roared through Florida. The electricity was out for five days, and we had no water for three. September in the south is scorching, but I didn't realize how hot until I lived without air conditioning. Thank God for the in-ground pool. While not drinkable, it made bathing (if you can call it that) and flushing the toilet (via buckets) possible. Talk about being grateful!
It was a good reminder of all the comforts and luxuries we enjoy. Something we should be aware of every day (but aren’t.) Because we must first be mindful of our blessings if we're going to be grateful for them.Â
However, technology is a double-edged sword and shouldn't prevent us from communicating the old-fashioned way. We've all heard about youngsters who text each other from across the room. And the people in restaurants who are too busy scrolling to speak to one another.
I still enjoy sending cards for special occasions and even making homemade ones. However, the last actual letter I wrote was in approximately 1977.
Tech shouldn't rob us of quality time spent doing other activities that enrich our lives. Whether reading, crossword puzzles, crafts, volunteering, etc., we must also make time for those things. I have to admit, though, that I've started listening to audiobooks while doing house and yard work, and I can get a lot more reading done that way!
Enjoying time in nature has benefits, both physical and mental. This is something I need to do more of. A beautiful park near my home is excellent for walking, tennis, and bicycling, among other things. Less screen time and more fresh air and exercise is my goal.Â
Everything in moderation is the key to a better balance in life. So, whether it's chocolate cake, adult beverages, or technology, we should develop healthy boundaries for everything we love to indulge in. We’ll be happier and healthier, both of which we can celebrate!
Thanks for your perspective, Jose.
You're right, it's hard to answer simply yes or no. When I FaceTime with my granddaughter, who lives over 1,000 miles away, it makes for a more satisfying communication vs a phone call. However, the ability to communicate hidden behind anonymous profiles allows a lot of mean-spiritedness, as well as misinformation. Truly important issues get lost in the endless chatter because everyone is too busy talking. We learn more by listening, and it's becoming a lost art.
Do you feel technology has enhanced or diminished our society's ability to communicate well?
Cannot be properly answered by yes no. Do you feel technology has A) enhanced or B) diminished our society's ability to communicate well? In which case my answer would be B. Everyones talking, everyones got something to say. Very little is of value to life, living, very few are listening.