Thirty-six Hours Without Contemporary Communications Technology
Technology provides an easier way of dealing with everyday life situations. It basically simplifies things for people and enables jobs, transportation or even communication to be faster. The use of communications technology is widely used by almost every adult in the planet. Nowadays, people have smartphones, televisions, tablets, iPads and internet to access the social media sites or browse for other things. Devices are commonly used for communication nowadays, and one is very likely to see people with their devices like smartphones, on their free time or when they are not doing anything at the moment. People are more addicted to the communications technology now, than anything else. I subjected myself for thirty-six hours without the use of any communication technology devices, to reflect on things as well as doing a self-examination.
During this time, my expectations of living a normal life without the use of devices or internet was very high. In fact, I made sure that I switched all my devices and locked them on my drawer and switched of the house wireless, television, DVD and anything else that belonged to the bracket of communication technology bracket. I thought that friends could still visit me and I would be updated on current affairs of the world. I expected things to be normal as usual by convincing myself that I can really do without the use of these communication devices. I also knew I would be okay not updating status on social medias or browsing for other things on the internet like I usually do.
The impact of spending the thirty-six hours without technology was very punishing. I could not communicate with my friends through social networks or watch some inspirational videos online. I could not even tell the breaking news if there were any. I felt like my world was coming to an end since it was then that I discovered the importance of communications technology in my life. I was so tempted to break the rules but I did not. I could not skype with my friends and family members in diaspora as well. I also could not watch my favorite movies or series. I felt like I was entirely sick. I could term myself as having withdrawal syndromes from the use of technology. I was very moody and did not feel like talking to anyone. All I could think of is when I was going to get my hands on my iPad or smartphone to view tweets, text friends and update status, turn on the wireless router and start browsing for interesting things on the internet or switching on the television to watch my favorite programs.
I managed otherwise to stay for thirty-six hours without technology as I was already dedicated to the exercise and I wanted to know how my life would be like, without technology. Many were times I felt like pulling back, but that would not allow me to experience life without technology. What kept me focused is the fact that technology is a new thing and was not there during early times. I decided to put myself under the shoes of people who lived back then without technology. Also, by the fact that their life without technology did not ruin their life or inconvenienced them in any way kept me focused as well. I did not give my friends a prior notice on this because I knew they would try to talk me out of this or distract me. It would have been absurd to begin something that I could not accomplish, since that is against my principle. My life without technology at the moment seemed to be ruined as I am an addict to technology and basically can’t go more than thirty minutes without either browsing, texting, updating status on social media or viewing tweets. I also like browsing every now and then for breaking news.
The practical implications I learnt are that as much as people are addicted to technology, they really can do without it. There is no harm in abstaining for a while from the use of technology. People are often on their gadgets most of the times, but it appears like they are imprisoned by their gadgets. Making decisions for them will be hard since everything is so digital to them. For instance, most of the google search queries according to the previous report, suggests that many people turn on internet for decision making in most of the things in their life. This implies that some people may not be confident enough to make choices by themselves without the use of technology. Again, not using technology can be detrimental in that communication with friends, family members or other important people may be jeopardized since these days many things are technologically linked. For instant use of emails, or watching news on television or making an online application for a job of interest.
Since I could not use by devices for communication, communicating to other people was very hard. Most of the people I communicate with, are usually far from me. Therefore, I virtually communicate with them via use of technology or sending messages. But with this, I could only communicate to the nearby few friends. Where urgent communication was needed between me and someone who is far away according to my schedule, I made sure I arrived at the agreed site earlier than the agreed time. Luckily, I only had one such incident. Sometimes, I would request my family members to deliver a message to someone I wanted to, if they were heading to the same direction the person is. For, the two group works I was supposed to attend, I arrived at the meeting area early enough so that I would not miss anything. Otherwise, communication with others was really not problematic since there were few other alternatives, unlike browsing the internet or watching the breaking news. I most of the times stayed at home so that at least one could easily find me since I was unreachable technologically.
