The blog that we read (http://withoutmedia.wordpress.com/) kind of freaked me out a bit. People are literally addicted. And in no way am I saying that I accomplished putting away my technology for a 24 hours time-span. But in this article, people talked about fidgeting, and feeling lonely, etc.
Not being able to use any form of technology for 24 hours is indeed a huge task to ask of a college student today. When I attempted it, I woke up on the morning of Wednesday Februrary 29th, to my alarm clock... on my phone. I remembered that I was attempting to use as little technology as I could that day, so turned my alarm off, and set my phone aside. I was waking up early, to meet with a group member, to work on our research paper... on my laptop. During this meeting, I consciously tried not to check my phone at all, unless it was for the time. Unfortunately, I received a text message from the person whom I was meeting with directly after my research paper work. He needed to switch locations. When I finally got home from these meetings, I had a few hours free. I was at home, and my initial instinct was to grab my laptop and look up an episode of the latest show that I needed to catch up on. Then I caught myself. Rather, I headed to my room, and picked up the book that I have been reading (Hunger Games, of course). That was the first rash decision I had made all day. .... Until later. I found myself with my laptop open, half watching the show my roommate had turned on, and playing a game on my phone. Seriously? stupid. Needless to say, I failed the challenge, as I knew I would. But it also just did the little favor of reminding me to check my surroundings, recognizing if i can be doing something, anything, else rather than using technology.
I will say though, I spent a 6 weeks this past summer volunteering at a Young Life camp at a remote location on the Coast of Canada, and there is ZERO cell service, a satellite phone (that you have to pay to use, and it has an awkward delay.. so i never used it), and internet (only for the full-time employees). I accomplished going a full 6 weeks without using my cell phone, facebook, email... nothing. and it was liberating, and fabulous. I truly couldn't have loved it more. When you need someone, you go look for them. You ask around. Mind you, we're all at a camp, so you truly can't get very far. but it was fantastic! on my way home, we got back into the states, and I was dreading turning my phone back on. I didn't want to receive the text messages, or voice mails. I wanted to remain in this simple life i was living, with no technology, and lots of conversation and activity.
So, in the end, although I failed this particular challenge last Wednesday, I have accomplished it at other times, for much longer periods of time.
