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There I was standing in the flat countryside looking at my cellphone when - dare I write it - the unthinkable happened, I was offline. No business mails, no friends to chat with on Whatsapp and the blog was suddenly far far away. With mixed feelings, I looked around, saw cows, wind turbines, the gray sky and not a soul. No vibrations would announce the arrival of a new message, no delicate ping would direct my attention to important company news. Alone, offline with only the wind in my face and some unexpected peace and quiet.
What some of you may consider normality is a rare exception for today's netizens both at work and home. Whether you simply want to meet up quickly, act fast on business affairs or share the photos from yesterday's birthday party, your cellphone is always on alert. If you don't react, you're frowned upon. And your mother's "You never call" quickly turns into a reproachful "I desperately tried to reach you several times". It's as if you're still connected by an umbilical cord. Change has also swept through most companies. Back in the days you'd simply come home and take a break but now you're given permanent access to mails and company systems along with various obligations. Did the potential customer from Taiwan write back? These are the moments in which globalization bites you in your behind, creating thoughts that will tempt you to quickly breeze through your emails and answer the most urgent ones before you head off to bed.
The nagging continues throughout your spare time. The alarm clock buzzes to remind you of something, you may need to take your medication, somebody may have a birthday, there's just no hope for some peace and quiet. A particularly weird phenomenon is apps that are supposed to do you good, your personal wellness guides so to speak. They will remind you every few minutes or hours to drink some fluids or look at something pretty and relax. I'd be happy to relax if only I could escape the fuzz. Turn on the news, sport and weather notifications and you're in for stimulus overload. A friend of mine who seems to receive every bit of winter sports related news from all over the world is practically oscillating through life. This doesn't seem to be age-related, even elder gentlemen indulge in the madness.
The reasons are plenty, it's not just boredom or the urge to appear hip. Some may feel a sense of duty, others may simply wish to stay in touch with friends and family or stay informed in an ever so complicated world. At first, everyone loves your "Wonderful!" comment to your niece's child portrait, the quick response you hammered out to help a colleague and the already finished weekend schedule. IT heavyweights like Apple, Google and Microsoft provide us with digital assistants so that we may never forget a thing or get lost in traffic and safely find our ways to the cheapest gas station. And lying in your bed every night with the knowledge that you took care of everything is a good thing, isn't it?
No, not in the long run. I've worked with colleagues that saw their fair share of stomach ulcers, tinnitus and burnout syndromes. Others barely found time for their hobbies or didn't know the first thing about the cities they lived in. These were not stressed out careerists that were trying to make it big fast but regular, motivated guys. It got me thinking. I had to admit to myself that I was thinking about marketing slogans in the shower each morning or stayed up late until 2 a.m. to approve user comments. Not, because I had to (quite the opposite, it gets frowned upon) but because I have a genuine interest in it. I like reading business mails on my cellphone and I'm always looking forward to reading your comments in this blog. But is this taking things too far?
That's why I will switch off my cellphone momentarily and why I won't approve any more comments in the evenings (please bear with me!) but simply live life the way my grandparents did, with a little less rum in my tea, probably. Maybe I'll read a book or go to the seaside and charge my batteries. The PC will sit around unused for a while, I'll even skip news reports but I'm certain the world will keep on spinning. It's worth a try.
My question for you: What are cellphones, computers and other tech gadgets to you? Do you consider modern technology a useful tool, a steady companion or mostly secondary?
Author's note: I got an email from my boss at 2 a.m. saying that he liked the article. I'll make sure to ask him if he fully understood it. :)
Landscape image: Sandra Roeken / SkeeterPhotoArt
Hi Sven, did you have time to ask your boss? Well, anyway a really good article also for me, even if I was not fully understood :)
...and sorry for my late response, because I have read this only today (keep it for some relaxing time)....and this is it, your article make my day.
And now, back to your question: I always switch off the cell phone during the night. And I found the smart phone really handy which helps me better react and to stay in touch with....almost everything, everyone...i want :)
And this is it, I am still on the way, to find the balance between what could help and where is the limit... One funny accident from this week, I have to repair my smartphone, put it to the shop and tried to insert the new micro sim card into the old one replaceble phone. No way....then I have asked at least the time, set on my phone, and tried to behave like in the old times....and it was really great, I found out, that I have much more to explore in my life. Take care and wish you a lot of great blogs/articles, whatever!
I do NOT think it necessary for someone to relate a cell-phone discussion to a God.
There are people like me who beleive only in facts, not theoretical hearsay.
Years ago when I was at the closing of my father's home - I was signing for him as he was ill 2 hours away - the buyer's agent twice interrupted the signatures because of incoming cell phone calls. I patiently explained my situation and asked that she complete THIS transaction before moving on to other real estate deals. When her phone rang a third time and she answered it, I stood up, snatched the phone from her hand, turned it off, and told her she'd get it back when the closing was concluded. That was in 1999.
Last month, my very responsible nephew was rear-ended by a texting driver while making a legal u-turn, with his turn signal on, in a well-marked Drivers Education car. He had a serious concussion. The Driving Instructor died.
That "Off" button is on phones for a reason. Use it!
I have read a few responses , not one person has mentioned the new phenomenon , death by distraction from cell phones , for the first time in history the phone is killing people , literally !! My whole family seems to be plugged in , my kids almost beg to get the tablet , as the board games I bought seem to only collect dust . My daughter is 5 and she can surf the web , she does not even have to know how to spell , (although she does know how to spell basic words) with googles speech recognition does it all for her. People say , I would never be micro chipped ! to late if you own a cell phone in this day in age , you are worse than chipped , READ APP AGREEMENTS ! your phone can read your messages , take pictures, send texts , read your contacts ,keep track of every single place you go , turn phone off and on all without your knowledge !!! this can be disturbing knowing if your cell phone is in the bedroom while making love , some asshole at google can watch !!! I say to my wife , your always on the computer , she looks at me with cell phone app opened looking at the phone in all seriousness and says , No I'm not !! The mark of the beast is almost hear , I believe it will come in the the form of cell phone , micro chipping that not only people cant live without , they will beg to have it . This was written about 2 thousand years ago in revelation . Most have abandoned GOD in these final days , that moment in the country side when you stopped to smell the roses , that was GOD telling you , I am hear , please do not abandon me , I LOVE YOU !!!
CELULARES E OUTRAS TECNOLOGIAS QUE NOS FACILITAM A VIDA DIARIAMENTE SÃO OBJETOS ÚTEIS. ENTRETANTO EU OU DESLIGO OU NÃO ATENDO CELULAR QUANDO ESTOU EM TEMPO DE REFEIÇÕES E DESLIGO PARA DORMIR TRANQUILO. TENHO 77 ANOS E NÃO VIVO ESTRESSADO.
MANUEL GOMES MARQUES.
Many years ago when I first went to college to learn about Lotus 123, the first statement my instructor made was "your computer is a tool, use it as such"; To this day, I use my computer to help me to do things, not to control what I do.
Another saying, "take the time to smell the roses"; so turning off your cell phone (mini computer) is a good thing.
I survive very well without taking my cell-phone when I travel locally, I take the unit when travelling longer distances, switched off, in case the 'what if' happens.
The days before cell-phones were wonderful. I was a Technical Sales Engineer, paying regular visits to clients. mid-morning, mid-day, mid afternoon I would find a 'red-phone' in a corner shop, or use a clients phone to call the office for messages.
I was trusted and was conscientious with my employment, I left home every work-a-day morning to see my clients, late afternoon was the time to visit the office of my employer, attend to office business and go home, my job left outside my home life.
Now, one in five people in the world own a cell-phone.
I am pleased that I am not addicted to a cell-phone as many people are which is one of many bad side effects, one known as 'Nomophobia', anxiety caused by not using a cell-phone or receiving calls or messages.
Other side effects are 'TextClaw' finger cramps, 'CellPhoneElbow', 'TextNeck' neck cramps, eye problems from excessive looking, reading small text, and in the U.K., 84% of the young adults tracked experienced back pain during the last year from hunching over cell-phones & tablets, etc;.
Life is still wonderful when 'smelling the roses' daily, and feeling free from an electronic master as seen in the hands of, and controlling the lives of a multitude of people.
Hear hear Ewen! I'm part of the last GenX and consider myself kind of a hybrid having grown up with no/low tech at primary school but then during the 1980's the home pc bandwagon started rolling through every country...Home phones (in Australia) were the old rotary decadic dial, moving into push button and now fully digital and often integrated into the home operating systems. I've been an early uptaker (not sure if that's a word) and have enjoyed the benefits of technology as it's developed. I actively encourage my kids (age 9 and 12) to utilise technology but not let it take over the opportunity to observe the oldest yet most complex technology...the world around us. No circuits (as we know them), yet weather happens, trees grow, and stars let us know of their death millenia after it happens...I often turn my phone to silent, a nice compromise to remaining connected but no instant response required. Australia is a wonderful place to explore, both urban and country.
Seize the day, suck the marrow out of life and embed the memories of just seeing or being there, leave the 2000 megapixel camera that happens to also make calls in your pocket, write, yes with a pen and paper (very low tech), and describe what you saw, leave a trail for your kids to read and use their imagination to visualise where you were. Anyway, just some food for thought my fellow technobloggerfollowers...Enjoy the world and embrace all that it has to offer!
i don't know. i often turn off my phone so nobody calls me. but i can call someone if i need to. may be i use the internet connection or for emergency if i need it. when i forgot my cell opened i must answer very in difficult conditions (when i talk to a real person, when i am busy, noisy environment) but when i have time i remember that the phone is it is my pocket. everybody is looking for something... i can notice it. the answer i no. we don't need it. it is just another way to spend our time. good if the countryside is not reachable.
Sven,
I have been a Martial Artist/Tai Chi Instructor for over thirty years.
I have also been a tech guy since my Father starting building and using electronics before they were fashionable in the 1970s! I remember the weight of his first cell phone and am thankful that my cell actually fits in my pocket!
Yet having that portable mini computer in my pocket all the time can be annoyingly useful and just plain annoying at the same time!
I am never "out of touch" with anyone.
When I teach my Tai Chi classes the phone remaines on its silent setting patiently awaiting my return so it can display the latest inquiries about my classes in the form of emails.
A text may be there reminding me that the kids need milk or I need to pick up one of my children from an activity etc.
Voice mail may need to be checked for leads on my Martial arts business or my photography businesses.
In short the is always something on the thing that needs to be checked.
The cell phone, for me has become an indispensable tool for my businesses.
Yet one must set limits on any good thing or it my becomes bad thing.
Around the time that I am ready to close the business each day I walk over to a spot on my desk that I have reserved for charging my cell and plug it up to be charged for the next day.
I turn its ringtone volume down to zero and with a smile on my face, I walk away from the desk.
My wife and children usually ambush me at this time telling me about school, life etc.
Ahhh, now that's how it is supposed to be.
Greg Young
Sounds like a decent plan, Greg. Life experience at its best.
“Excuse me I have to take this call!”
I have heard this phrase far to many time when I had an appointment to discus important details that had a time element attached to it. During the appointment not just once but at least three times the phone rang and I was left to cool my heals while the individual jabbered on about nothing. Needles to say nothing was accomplished as I ended up with a 15 minuet conference that resolved no problems I had.
I'm retired now so my need to be contacted 24/7 no longer exists. As a matter of fact I never wanted to be contactable 24/7 my whole life.
I do however have a cellphone, as does my wife, they are turned off until we find the need to use them which is almost never. We have them encase of an emergency. Eg. to contact emergency services. or a road side service should the car break down when we are out and about. This service costs us $120.00 a year.
We maintain a land line with answering service where messages can be left should the call be important enough for us to return their call. In addition the land line is part of a bundle that also provides us with unlimited internet and a TV service as well. The last overseas call I made cost under a dollar for over an hour. In addition we have two desktop computers so there's never a squabble as to is going to use the computer etc.
I say for those who NEED to be contacted 24/7 fine have a smart phone as long as your employer pays for it. And remember one other thing All governments want to have access to your meta data so you can kiss goodbye to your privacy as well as the ease now for hacking of all the information you have on your not so smart phone.
My final word on the subject is: I know I can be hacked via the internet, I know the the government can still collect my meta data BUT the up side of all this is I don't have to pay the ripoff charges to let them dot it.
I have multiple devices but mainly use my cell phone for making and receiving calls. It's a smartphone for under $100.00 I would like the speed and functions of a flagship phone but can't afford it right now. I need my phone to stay in contact for its always on and connected to web. I have 2 tablets for information and games. They are not cellular devices although I had the opportunity to purchase one. Now I think I should have chosen the cellular option of having the ability to make calls from the tab. I use the Android operating system and Google services which apply across all my platforms. Having owned several iPhones and Galaxies I found that it is a necessary thing. I need to stay in contact with my accounts and the community.
Computers and the like were supposed to allow us to accomplish tasks faster and with greater accuracy (not to mention save paper). I think in some ways it has, but all that time we saved...What to do with it, relax? Apparently we choose to fill any extra time with more tasks, rather than making life simple and enjoying a moment or two. Now we are expected to extend our retirement age. I guess we can accomplish even more without enjoying any of it.
It is not the machines, its how you use them
Like, guns don't kill, people kill.
It may take a generation or two, and a lot of people are going to hurt themselves with making the wrong choices, but maybe the world will eventually have a better life.
We have an obligation to try to help others learn to make better choices in life. But no one, especially the government has any right to force anyone to follow their choices!
So make use of technology, but take time to enjoy life, especially your friends and family. And laugh at those who don't>
I feel sorry for those who live in the PhoneZone. They seem not to be aware of what is going on around them. I have a simple cellphone that I use only as a walkie-talkie to communicate with my spouse when away from the house.
Technology is It's Own Narcissistic Trap, unaware of it's provocative, shallow, empty character and uncreative mindset. Or REALLY(?) ? Are YOU Aware? Or Unaware that YOU'RE Unaware, eh, Bud ???
I’ve given this a lot of thought, wrote about it and now I have taken action. Let’s see how long I can keep this up.
I have this rule: after 23:00, I won't call anyone or take anyone call, unless, of course, the house in on fire.
You need to come out to Australia mate. Go to far out of the cities and kiss your internet and phone coverage goodbye lol. Its not because of poor coverage its just the dam countries to big. :p
I happen to have a cousin in Queensland, maybe I will take a look at it!
I read your opening paragraph and thought: Chinese phone. To quote:
"My Xiaomi supports 1800, 2100 and 2600 MHz LTE bands making it ideal for city use but less ideal for use in the outer districts."
So, were you grateful at that point for that Chinese phone for letting you have a moment of peace, or did you vow to buy a better phone next time? Or both?
“Amor Fati – “Love Your Fate”, which is in fact your life.” (Friedrich Nietzsche) :)
I like technology and I believe it has done great things for us but I just have a dumb cellphone, no bells or whisles just a phone. There is two YouTube videos called "Look Up" and I recommend that everyone see it.
......................io lascio a casa anche l'orologio !!
Aye! :)
When I switch off my phone momentarily, it doesn't do anything!
I'm so glad I'm too old to have to be 'contactable'. What a terrible life people in the 'civilised' world have to lead now. I used to have three offices in London and the journey between them was a moment to relax, uninterrupted by calls for my attention.
But it's not the calls that bother me these days. It's the people who are supposed to communicating with me face to face. They are not doing so! There is part of themselves watching and waiting for a message on their mobile device, and when its switched off, there's part of them being anxious about missing something. I do not have their full attention while they have a mobile device and I find that rude.
I was in a small caffé the other day and of the 12 people sitting there, a few in pairs, each one was operating a mobile devise of some sort. Their world was totally concentrated on a small rectangular pad while the real world (this was in Peckham, London) of birds singing, wind in the trees, passing people and the sights and smells of life drifted past them. They seemed oblivious.
Necessary for work these days, I understand, but unless boundaries are put in place there will be a generation who will wonder what they've missed. It wasn't a message, dears, it was your life.
When you go out to distribute some cards for SaveNaturefree.org can you leave your phone at home?
I might tolerate surreptitious advertising if it’s for a good cause every now and then. :)
I am 84, so in the grandfather category. I have five computers, so it is my hobby. I use the desktop computers a lot, about 1 hour a day and occasionally a whole day when something special needs doing. I have a mobile phone but don't use it for reception of calls (only my wife has the number), and don't carry it around except when I go out - its for making outgoing calls if I need to. I use a tablet for reading news, at my choice of when and what, and books. In other words, I live my life without being tethered, as I did when I was younger. My computers are my tools, used as such when I wish.