Depravation is not often a word I have much familiarity with s a young American. It seems that I, along with everyone else that I know, am stockpiled with an arsenal of personal technology from a laptop to a cell phone.
I figured that the easiest day to take on this Media Depravation assignment would be Thanksgiving itself, a day on which I figured could engage my stomach more than my cell phone. I used the assignment to justify letting myself sleep until one in the afternoon. The first thing I did was turn off my cell phone which hit me with unexpected feelings of anxiety. My mind jumped to all tie possible ways I could possibly need my cell phone over the course of the day. Next I got into my car to go to my parents’ house for the Thanksgiving meal. The ride turned out to be silent and contemplative, although my mind kept slipping back to the thought of my cell phone being off and who may be trying to call me(which in all honestly would probably be no one). Stuffing my face conveniently required no technology at all.
Afterwards, I headed back to my dorm room, again in silence. Without TV, music, internet, and cell phone I felt isolated and alone. I could not stop thinking about all the people I had to call and all the assignments I had to do for my classes. The odd thing was that even if the technology was available to me I would have done none of those things, and would not have been anymore productive, but I would have felt better.
Overall, what struck me about this assignment was the amount of anxiety it provoked. It seems that as we continue to acquire this plethora of technology we feel safer and more secure. Humans are social beings. TV, radio, the internet, and cell phones among other things make us feel more connected and in sync with the world around us. Losing these connections is not only uncomfortable, it becomes downright eerie to be so uncharacteristically cut-off from the world.
3 comments:
I can relate. I felt somewhat naked without my phone for a day. It's silly when you think about it though; to always have your phone on you, waiting for a phone call that may never occur. Our society is becoming increasingly dependent on different forms of technology that allow people to communicate with others more readily. After all we are social begins who don't like being alone.
Indeed the lack of technology tends to raise anxiety by considering who may be attempting to contact you but knowing they will ultimately fail unless they drive over to your house in person, which doesn't happen anymore these days. I lived in the dorms my first year and I bet that was tempting with so much high technology around you all the time.
anxiety, eh? I know the feeling. I loved it when you said, "eating conviently requires no technology" (or something like that). It seriously made me laugh as Im sitting here.
Think of it this way. Sure, you didn't get anything done (we all wouldnt have anyway), but at least you didnt suffer like Patty and do everything by hand! Man, that sucked for her. It sounds like you toughed it out! Congrats!
Ill admit-this is the first time Ive read your blog! But, I did read the other posts and I didn't know you worked in Ellicott City! Where in Ellicott City? I patrol E.C. Friday's on midnight shift so you'll have to keep your eyes peeled for me!
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