I used to watch
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman back in the 90s. I remember one of her lines in an episode where she was arguing with Sully about the railroad coming through town (or something like that) and she shouted "You can't stop progress!".
And she was right. Or her screenwriter was right. We definitely cannot stop progress, technological or otherwise.
I'm a huge fan of gadgets and technology of all kinds. I don't have time for TV, but I can't imagine life without computers and I'm extremely attached to my Macbook. I'm fascinated with the new world of e-reading and love my Kindle. Even though I can't justify the purchase, I wish for an iPad. And apparently I don't even know how to function without my iPhone.
This past weekend we were going to one of B's gigs, and halfway there I realized I'd forgotten my cell phone. And I totally freaked out.
Today I'm thinking back to the scene and I don't like how it made me feel to be without my phone.
I got frustrated and even a little sick to my stomach. I almost started to panic.
What if my kids need to call me? What about that bank transfer I was going to make on the way? What if I miss an important email? What will my friends think if they text me and I don't answer? Heck, I can't even check Facebook! B had his phone, so at least I had a way to talk to my kids. But his phone ... well, it's a
flip-phone. Practically an antique. He isn't a fan of smart-phones (he says he chooses to remain smarter than his phone). So I attempted to text the kids on his flip-phone and couldn't even remember how. Which frustrated me even more. So as I sat fuming and grinding my teeth, it occurred to me that I must have a problem.
Questions nagged me as I sat there with no way to text or check messages or get on Facebook or move money around.
Why am I so dependent on my phone? Why do I feel I have to be so connected? I started to see just how much this "staying connected" consumes me.
And I also realized how much I don't want to be controlled by anything or any
one ... except the Holy Spirit. How can I go days at a time not spending quality time with Him, yet I freak out over being without my iPhone for four hours? Nothing about that feels right to me.
Is there anyone else out there like me? Have you made a decision to give up your smart-phone? Do you limit yourself when it comes to technology and/or social networking?
By Amy at Make Me a Mary
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Comments (3)
I believe technology itself is inherently neither moral or immoral--it's amoral, meaning that the way we use it makes it right or wrong. It's like food or sex or any other thing we have that can be used well or misused. I personally don't feel the need to give up my computer or smartphone, but I definitely believe over-dependence and addiction can be a problem. I think it depends on the person. Thanks for a thought-provoking post.
@Pickwick12@xanga - I agree wholeheartedly with you on this. I am curious about technology but am fully aware of the addiction as well. I have a computer, do NOT have ipad, ipod,peepad, and all the other stuff. I am probably not as well connected as others that way, but is it really all that important? Have our conversations drawn us any closer to the real people that count or is it just chatter? I buy old cell phones (with the camera) for usually a dollar or two and throw them in each car so that in the event of trouble, I have a camera, a 911 availability, and at no cost for a service. That's about as mobile as I find I need to be. No kindles, or candles, or the other electronic gadgets. I find that all that "stuff" can easily own you rather than you owning it. JMHO. Dan