February: My Technological Month of Atonement

Last year I underwent an experiment to disconnect myself from the matrix for a month and note and write about the changes and affect of doing such a thing. Suffice it to say my observations were interesting, but the most interesting part was the effect it had on me. I slept better, retained information better, developed a longer attention span, slept better, woke up earlier, and found myself in an overall better state of mental health. Freed from the shackles of the 24 hour internet news cycle, the vapid and idiotic need to comment on each and every little story and non-story alike (guilty), and the overflow of meaningless information I was better able to concentrate on things of actual import.

These bright little (and giant) screens which have taken over our lives have profound effects that we, as every day users are unaware of because we exist in that realm, firmly held in their grasp. But once separated from them, once over the threshold we can freely notice the hold they have. I would notice friends and colleagues buried in the secret universe of their smart phones, catapulting birds into wooden pillars, reading their FOX news feeds, obsessively signing in and out of facebook every 10 seconds between signing in and out of other websites. Basically, I observed a populace living life through their own tiny windows, each with their own tiny ways of being, their own tiny universe. I was discomfited to say the least. It made me think back on videos and pictures I'd seen of Japan in the 90's, and it made me realize that we are taking the Shinkansen straight to silenceville.

I don't want that.

Yet, once March rolled around it was right back into the tiny window for me as well... Reconnected to my precious internet, I once more used my Facebook, my ebay account, posted on news sites, made inane comments about silly pictures, posted "status updates" Status update? Have you ever stopped to think about this term? What is my status? It makes me want to drone in a robotic voice "BRAIN FUNCTIONS NORMAL: LIVER FUNCTIONS BORDERLINE: HYDRATION LEVELS CONSTANT". That's right my friends and neighbors, I jumped right back into the shit! Headfirst, without so much as nose plugs to save me from the stench.

However, one interesting thing happened. Like the monk who has had his first taste of enlightenment, I had a technological satori, yet lost it as many do before allowing myself to be fully awake. But I carried this seed within me now, and never once failed to see the shortcomings of our society when it comes to technology, including my own. It is for that reason that I have decided to repeat, yet again, my month long abstinence from the Internet and my computer(s). No iPad, no smartphone, no internet through my xbox, NOTHING. I allow myself only one use, and that is professional, because I have no choice. Professional is defined as using the internet/email for sending contracts, looking up client information, etc. Checking the BBC is not allowed, Googling prices on a toy, not allowed. Nothing is allowed but pertinent work purpose computing.

Last February was a time of great peace for me. It was a balancing time, and I read, wrote, and reflected more than ever on the world around me. Of course it sucked royal not to be able to write using my beloved word processing software... But there I gained further wisdom, realizing how dominated we are by the "squiggly red line" and our increasing inability to spell... Soon, I fear (if it has not transpired already) that in the same way many cashiers cannot do basic math when the power goes out, that your average person will lose some of their ability to spell and punctuate properly. I am, to say the least, really looking forward to next month... to 28 days free from "how r u?" and "gr8" and "roflmao"

Therefore my friends, I said last year, I say again that I bid you a fond adieu, and will see you in March if any of you are still around to read this blog. And to all of my friends, if you wish to contact me do not use email, as you will have to wait a month for a response since I am not monitoring them and my smartphone's internet connection will be disabled. Instead, call me. I know it's antiquated, but it works. I also allow txt messages. Otherwise I'll see you in March (almost certainly) to discuss the importance of waffles and how lady Gaga is a "genius".