Since I completed my job about three weeks ago, I have been wondering where my days are spent. Seems I am always busy but have no time. How can that be? After keeping a journal of what I do for one full day, it appears that I have found the answer. I am online for about 4 -5 hours a day! What is wrong with me? Obsessive, Adult ADD, Boredom? I apparently am obsessed with information and connectivity. Am I destined to be an information junkie, craving my next Google fix?
Fret no more, Mac has a solution: a new software product called Freedom . The main function of Freedom is to render your computer unable to access networking for up to 8 hours. Obviously I am not the only one who suffers from information addiction. Online distractions have become so insipid that we mere humans can not avoid them without the aid of yet another piece of software.
Two points immediately come to mind: one is addiction and the other is responsibility. I don't dare compare online usage to addictions such as drugs, gambling and alcohol. But let's face it, any addiction is detrimental, even if it is the uncontrollable desire to know more. Sure knowing more about your friends and acquaintances is not a new phenomenon, although the technology of Facebook and Twitter facilitate a more immediate gratification. But what about the need to gain knowledge on every question or interest you have during a day. We call children with this need precocious but what about adults?
Prior to hiring any contractor, I find myself searching the internet to understand the exact job (by the way I am a resident expert on concrete in the form of aggregate or stamped). Does this search justify not leaving the house all day during a perfectly beautiful Indian Summer? Maybe. But what about that need to know all there is to know about our recent Nobel Laureates? I was insistent on understanding the prize and criteria. Another day spent online while the laundry piled up and we had cereal for dinner. You may think that's still ok because I am improving myself. I have now trained myself to believe that anything I need to know is found on the internet. At this rate, people and nature will be simply email and google images.
Now to responsibility. So instead of simply prioritizing my day and balancing my quest for knowledge with my need to accomplish personal tasks, I have to get software to eliminate the distractions. This reminds me too much of using burkas to prevent men from being distracted by female beauty or censoring books to prevent "unclean thoughts". Maybe thats a leap, but when do we hold ourselves accountable and how do we teach our youth to avoid temptations by showing them that all temptation can be removed?
It's time to balance my online life with my actual life. Time to muster up the strength to turn this thing off and go for a walk.
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Four to Five hours a day on line is not addictive, but certainly disturbing. It could be considered as no better then allowing a child to play Playstation all afternoon. Worse if you are pro-gameing. What exactly do you learn from the Internet? Did you learn that if you stay on too long you can be a target for "Fishing". Or perhaps you learned that Dungeon and Dragon loving dorks do indeed spend time altering Wikipedia. The fact is that the Internet is a haven for misinformation and scams. But beyond that its a "draw". A virtual maze of infinite links and paths through advertizments, offerings and pop-ups. Its a navigational nightmare. So for the 4-5 hours you spend on-line, how much of that is spent actually LOOKING for information and how much is actually OBTAINING what you are looking for?
ReplyDeleteA pro at concrete? Can you lay a 20/20 portland mix on a 10 degree grade like Paige Hemmis? (save yourself the search, she's on Extreme Home Makeovers).
Now to social networking; do you really care how many children that girl in highschool has? You know, the one you cant remember her last name? Or how about the boyfriend in college? Perhaps it was a "First Date" you wish to re-experience on-line? Didnt he have a muscle car and wore acid washed jeans? Perhaps, but now he drives a Hyundai Sonata, wears Dickies and is not only the club president, but he is also....well you get my point. Social networking, in my opinion, is for lonely people wishing to re-live their past. People so board or so wishing they could do their prom all over again, that they spend countless and useless hours chatting with people that they could have cared less about 15 years ago. All of a sudden you care about "little Miss Chuncky's" job in Kentucky? Perhaps you should have cared before you and your friends shattered her self-asteem and gave her an eating disorder. You cant relive the past people. Enjoy your life and move on!!!
But all of this is rambling, Im sorry. However I do have one burning question. One that I am sure all of your readers are dieing to find out. Did you get off your couch and go for that walk at 7:06 am?
Good point. Navigation is time consuming and contributes to the distraction. How do you pin point that desired info without getting trapped in the muck? Is it simply a disciplined mind because I doubt there are many users that disciplined.
ReplyDeleteI did get off the couch and went for a walk, but returned only to check my email and search for bathroom accessories. Call AA.
OK, first of all, what are both of you doing up at that ungodly hour? I'm up too, but I'm not THINKING at that hour, I'm reading or watching tv, mindlessly. If you're learning, then I think it's OK, but if you're killing time w/ crap, let it go. But I love having a question and getting an answer straight away. That's why I'm so g.d. smart.
ReplyDeleteYou are g.d. smart - just another reason to love you!
ReplyDeleteWow. If you have the time to do something you like, I say go for it! Why not eat cereal for breakfast? The boys don't seem to be starving. I think it's time to start doing things for you and not always for everyone else - which you are so good at. The laundry can wait - isn't that what Adelma is for anyway?? (Just make sure you are there when I need you:)
ReplyDeleteAhhh what a concept to do things for yourself and to do what you like. You are now my Buddha. However I believe this buddha should practice what she preaches.
ReplyDelete