Technology!

Prompt: Your life without a computer: what does it look like?

My life without a computer?

I would likely have to re-invent it!

Technology is such now that it rules almost all we do. I feel that it is actually a trap, an addiction, in all likelihood!

I have enjoyed using a computer of any kind for years, beginning with the little box of a Macintosh computer! Following that, various brands with rapidly improving internet and programs. Always something new to enjoy!

Then came the cell phones, a little “computer” in your hand. Wow! Brilliant! Apps galore!

However, passwords became the killer. Easy at first. Simply 4 letter. Then 6, then you needed a number, a symbol, 8 letters, a capital and on and on. Quite dizzying really, and annoying because you had to update or change them. Frustrating!

Touch ID. Yay! Except now you might need a password to use your touch ID or another kind of identification, a code delivered to your phone to prove it is actually you, or identification of pictures to prove you are not a robot!

My phone has everything I ever need in it, except sanity. Peace of mind also often disappears as frustration mounts. Sometimes I have wanted to throw the phone out of my fourth floor window!

I still use a laptop, and an iPad, especially when my phone is acting up. They require much of the same procedures. There is no getting away from it all.

My naturopath asked me to “break up” with my phone. I read the book she recommended, “How To Break Up With Your Phone” . I tried, and it helped with some strategies, but I felt I needed the phone and I think I use it more than ever now. Everything I need is in there along with my friends and family!

What would my life look like without a computer? My phone? Less frustration. More peace. However, I would lose many useful tools!

I’d have to phone the bank to get my account balance. I’d have to visit the bank to pay bills (if the companies would send paper bills!). I’d have to write actual paper letters or phone people more often. I would probably get outside more.

I would need a typewriter. I wouldn’t be able to keep my blog unless I went to the library to……use a computer to write posts! Perhaps I’d have time to write my book!

I wouldn’t have my thousands upon thousands of pictures or online albums I treasure! I’d be using my old physical camera IF I could still get film for it!

I think perhaps my head would be clearer. I wouldn’t have tons of emails (thousands!) to look through or just scroll by because I’m overwhelmed. Life would be less stressful, no doubt.

I have been thinking about all of this lately, and specifically today with this government alert event coming to our phones. Much controversy around that. Much controversy also about internet use and privacy online in general. An invasion. Food for thought.

The reply to this prompt has reinforced my thoughts and made me focus especially on the addictive nature of what should simply be a tool! I was reminded of some things…possible solutions, the drawbacks and benefits of actually doing without it. The need to conquer ADDICTION!

Maybe I WILL throw my phone out of the window!

Just kidding….. 😉

AJ, October 4, 2023