Plugged living vs Unplugged living
As I was walking down the street today I had a thought about something, I dug my smartphone from my pocket and started to look something up. Only a few seconds later a bicycle almost ran me over. “Look in front of you, in stead of at that thing!.” I followed quickly with “This is a pedestrian area!”… Okay, a fast response and he didn’t counter it. I doubt if he realized he had a point there.
The sun was shining, the fragrance of spring in the air… and I was concentrated on my smartphone. I quickly tucked it back in my pocket and started to look around. Earphones everywhere, a laptop set on a table outside a cafe, suits walking by while phoning. Everyone was more active in their own little plugged world than what was actually going on. I wonder if people actually noticed the nice weather and feint smell of flowers in the air.
When getting home I went through the usual motions of flicking on the TV and my laptop because I had a great idea for a post, this post. Hang on a second, I’m writing about the level of “pluggedness” in modern society while I’m no better myself. How’s that for a realization during blogging. I wonder, what would it be like if I shut down all electricity at home for a few days. I wouldn’t be able to blog (the horror), no music except my acoustic guitar, which -come to think of it- I haven’t touched in months, no TV (well, that’s not a loss I guess). I would be deprived of every manner of influence from the media on my life. This sounds interesting… ..but is life possible in the western world without internet, a computer, tv and a phone? I could live without TV easily, without a phone would be harder but doable. Without a computer with internet access? I don’t know if that’s for me just yet. Even if I were to go vagabonding I would bring along a simple laptop just to stay in touch. On the other side of the coin, I spend hours a day staring at a computer screen, blogging, reading, working. No computer would mean hours a day to spend differently.
How do they survive in places without all those electronics? How do they spend their days? if they are not working they are enjoying each others company, talking, singing, making music. They spend time outdoor, walking, listening, watching.
The pro’s of plugged life:
- Huge social network
- Always up to date on the latest scoop/news
- Vast amounts of information at the push of a button
The con’s of plugged life:
- Less social time in real life
- Information overload
- Feelings of failure because of all the “you should be like him/her to be successful” messages in the media
The pro’s of unplugged life:
- More here and now instead of there on that screen/in that earphone
- The addiction to social media will get less
- Happier with yourself (less negativity from the media)
- you start to see what really matters
The con’s of unplugged life:
- You might not be up to date (I like living under a rock from time to time)
- It’s social suicide not to have the latest gizmo (or so I’ve heard)
- You might seem “strange” to other people
This all being said, from time to time I think I’ll unplug for a few days and enjoy the real life right here. My life is being dominated with plugged life and I realized it just from almost getting run over by a bicycle. I’ve survived just fine for most of my life without a smartphone (online 24/7), so why not do it again. I don’t need it.
How plugged are you?
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Very interesting post. It really gave me a lot to think about in terms of whether I want to spend more time plugged in or unplugged.
http://positivelypresent.typepad.com
I have to admit that I’m addicted to the plugged world, if I miss even a few hours I feel a little disconnected.
Having said that I do train everyday in the gym as well as hit the trails on my mountain bike every weekend but it no easy feat living in both worlds.
Since I run multiple blogs, I also struggle with this, but I resolved the other day to cut out the late nights and you know what – everything is going on just fine. I set aside less time on the inet – but I’m more efficient with the time I do have.
I don’t believe we have to unplug totally – but there is such as thing as too much – whether it be tv or internet.
Wow I was just speaking this very conversation with my family.
Information overload, spending way to much time at home & on the computer, running blogs, attending to forums and then the business side.
Then for a change I like my games and videos.
when my family & I travel, we all take our computers and yes there on the plane others pull theirs out to occupy themselves instead of meeting the person next to them.
I guess on line you can find out about your own talants & fears and then adapt them into the offline public.
I live in the middle of no where and I am so grateful to be plugged in. : )
I enjoyed this post thanks
Christiaan, wonderful job here. I agree with most of this. I have to say for myself that the networking with people is huge for me. I think I have been able to find a balance. I quit watching TV some time ago except for an occasional comedy or sporting event. I stopped reading 100 blogs a day (but you see I still read yours!). I stopped reading the negative media news. I scan headlines for only positive stories. I love nature and the outdoors and I walk in the sunshine and amongst the trees every day if I can. You have to have a balance. Our bodies were not made for all this electronic stuff. They need green.
Stephen,
I’m very happy to know that you’re reading my blog. You just made my day!
You also just made me rethink the amount of blogs I’m following. Keeping up isn’t fun anymore, it’s become a chore and as much as I like to read, there’s such a thing as to much of that good thing. I think I’ll cut back to the 10 blogs I like most and leave it at that. (Currently something like 30 blogs, some posting several times a day.)
Think green :) (it’s Earth day today..)
Somehow I like the security of the online world. You have time to rethink what you are saying and it’s not so much about hidden messages in the way we say things.
On the other hand, the sun is shining outside, life is good.
In Australia – going out of town means being disconnected! I was off line for about a week over Easter (OK I checked emails once) – it was a delight- I use the time to step back and really think about my business rather than just caught in the read/react trap of online communication
I think in moderation and really seasonally too is a good way to look at it. If you are so plugged in you aren’t in touch with the physical world around you then that’s bad. There are so many good things about technology and also not so great. My older neighbor and I were talking about this the other day too with cell phones and computers. How many people could go on vacation with no phone or tv or computer for a week in the woods? I liked this post. :)
What a great subject–I found you in Darren Rowse’s forum–especially for these times.
How plugged in am I? More than I should be, but I’ve been finding the balance that works for me. Almost no TV, but that is the norm for me. Perish the thought of no computer, but I am reading books and doing artwork more again, and I gave up my cell phone (gasp!) to save money. I miss that thing, but less than I did at first. I’ll get another eventually.
Found my way here from the 31 day challenge. This is something I struggle with all the time. I’m actually horrified when I see how many people are walking around yakking on the phone – totally ignoring and missing everything and everyone around them. I also feel bad for kids whose parents are focused on the phone as they walk around – it’s hard enough at home when your parent is on the phone – now they’re on the phone all the time everywhere.
I’m hooked on TV and stuck with technology because of work. My plan is to give it all up someday when I retire. I look forward to it. Life will be simultaneously more serene and more productive. Hooray!
Although I’m hooked on my electronics, I remember a time when going on holiday meant leaving everything behind. Now I take it all with me – I’m not sure it’s an improvement.
Not sure about unplugging, but how about a little plugged in addiction — I went to dinner at some friend’s house tonight and forgot my cell phone. I kept tapping my shirt pocket and felt a little naked without it. A little dependency, maybe?
I have made changes similar to Stephens.
I have returned home to work after 5 years of traveling to the city..travel time of 2 hours a day for 6 days a week. One thing I did learn from that is, my time is so valuable. The travel time was also a time just for me, to listen to music or study tapes.
I live in a beautiful place that affords me the leisure time. I love to garden and go fishing. I am fortunate.
I love the internet. It allows me to stay connected to the outside world in a way that is fun. I can stay home and work from my computer…but that takes time to get things moving. So I have given up TV – I don’t watch any news.
When we get away – we do just that, no cell phones, no computer. It recharges my own battery.
Sheila
Wow, your blogentry just gave me a great idea.
A blog is mostly about reading what’s on other people’s mind, right?
So how about unplugging your blog?
What, how can you unplug a blog?
Well, it’s actually quite simple. Just find a place where lots of people come every day, and hopefully lost of different people. And every day or so, just leave your hand-written blog there. You know, write it with a pen or pencil. On paper. Put it there on the wall, in a mailbox or whatever, so that people who are interested can read it.
And hey, you might even get some fans who want to meet you in person (expanding your real-life social network) or people who are gonna be there, waiting for you new post.
In fact, you might make some new friends. I think this is worth trying. I thing I’ll try.
I’ll be sure to look that blog up and write in it as well :)
The only problem would be, how do you prevent people from stealing it? That is, if you want to keep your “posts” for future reference. You could indeed also type them out, print a few and place them strategically on several tables in your local pub.
An interesting idea I must say.
ps. Goh, jij ook hier? Gezellig!
You could indeed also type them out, print a few and place them strategically on several tables in your local pub
Excactly! And I think it wouldn’t be stealing. It’s more like spreading the word than, wouldn’t it?
You can always save a copy or the original for yourself.
Maybe you can even put a blocnote or something next to it for comments, like a guestbook.
I think I’ll have a go at that when I start uni again next year. Let’s see if the folks there can appreciate an article now and then. Maybe even write for the local university paper.