Do you think you could manage without the staples of modern technology, computers and smartphones (includes laptops, tablets, ebooks, televisions and similar devices)? Without social media or email?
The question occurs to me because it may be my situation in a year. The more I think about it, the more "unplugging" sounds enticing. I've already deleted my social media accounts, and email is a major drag. If I absolutely have to correspond via email, I can always go to the library. But other than that, what do I use computers for? They're a massive time sink of course, with forums and Reddit (now Hubski) occupying more of my waking time than I care to admit. I use my phone as a watch and an alarm clock, but both of those things have pre-2007 alternatives. I use my laptop to write, but I can just as easily write on paper (or I could probably find a typewriter online for cheap).
Would typing on an electric typewriter and calling my friends in 2016 make me a crazy person? Does the unplugged lifestyle tempt you?
No, I embrace our Gibson-esque future, and can't wait until I can get a HoloLens eye implant. My computer is my single most valuable item, as it provides me with information, entertainment, and a creative outlet. Computer programming is one of my favorite hobbies. Without a computer, I would also be out of a job since I am an electrical engineer.
This just seems like you want a life with fewer distractions and you're ready to change everything about the way you live other than just implementing control. You could go get an old alarm clock, a watch, a typewriter, a land line, and a dozen other things we've spent years figuring out how to get rid of. Or, you could push yourself to not be controlled by your technology. When you're at a bus stop or out to dinner don't pull out your phone, just sit and take in what's going on around you. You've already killed your social media, which is great, but even on reddit and hubski try to pay attention to what's valuable and not just what's easy. It's easy to chomp through 30 memes in a row, it's not to read a #goodlongread. I like my digital devices precisely because I had to live without them at one point in my life. I agree that they can be addicting, I agree that they can cut you off, but they can also connect, and they can also help you do more than any other time in history. That's my view.
Unplugging is a good idea if your use of technology is limiting you or causing you harm. My suggestion however would be to not cut all your usage of modern technology - surely it's easier to use the Internet to research than a library? Just block the sites that waste your time or impact you negatively in other ways.
Yup. I have a typewriter that gets my writing-thingy out of the way better than a keyboard. And I have tons of notepads and journals that I write into daily. And i have a space for board games. And dogs and a cat. And a nylon string guitar. that's all i need. And this chair.
The problem I will always find with un-plugging, although enticing, is that I will miss the knowledge I gain. I use the internet to read, to learn, to find passion. Even if 75% of social media is unimportant gibberish; I would miss the 25% factual, insightful, and inspiring content that I do occasionally come across. I live in a town with so much knowledge; surrounded by many people who I could never even think to compete with on one particular subject. My only hope to survive this oasis, is to fill my brain with facts, current events, and mid-bending conversation pieces, so I don't stay stuck in the fucking food service industry forever. Gotta make those connections yo. I'm like you though, I spend too much time on the internet. My friend's eyes go glassy when I start to ramble about the interesting things I've learned from places like Reddit and Hubski. That's when I start to question my time spent online. I'd be really good at current events trivia. Anyone from here need one of those sorts for their "Geeks Who Drink" team? Yah, I thought not...
When I was a teenager I was very outdoorsy. I briefly considered running away and squatting in a National Park indefinitely. I often would dream of living totally off the grid. Back when a cell phone was something your rich friend's parents had. Now I have a phone, computer and smartwatch with me at all times. Two more computers and countless outdated tech at home. My SO works for a major tech company. We discuss and consume as much tech news as possible. I guess, for me, I just find it all so fascinating and entertaining. Each new piece of hardware and every new social media craze comes with fun ideas and predictions about how different and interesting the future is going to be.
Could I live without it? Sure. I love books and have a few on my shelves I still need to read. Plus, I get a few magazines sent to me each month. I've been trying to get back into shape like I used to be so I'd have no problem spending more time outside exercising and such. Do I want to? Nope. Not even close. tnec outlined a few reasons. They offer me tons of entertainment. And I program so they're a valuable tool for me. But most important to me is the access to information they provide. I have been able to learn so much with access to computers and smartphones. Information that school didn't teach me about. Information that has helped me grow as a person and simply solve problems that have come up. I've been exposed to philosophies and politics that would have been hidden from me if I had to rely on mainstream society and media for information. I've had access to programming/computing knowledge that has helped me hone my skills. And I don't know what I'd do without my smartphone. It's practically my Bullshit-Checking Machine. And being able to keep up to date with news or email is too important to my productivity. I understand and respect why some would choose to unplug. But I don't think it's for me right now.
I agree completely that society needs to get better at using technology responsibly. Everything in moderation is probably the healthiest stance. Financial considerations. Once my current devices break down, I likely won't be able to replace them. Such are the joys of becoming independent. But like I said, I'm starting to see the bright side of living with pre-1991 technology.Traveling? Moving off the grid? Willpower? What's prompting the change (if you don't mind my asking)?
I could live without them but I prefer not to. Because technology is just a tool and nothing more. It's neither a good or a bad thing. it depends how you use it. If you use a knife to kill someone it is not knife's fault it is yours. If you waste your time on the internet on useless shit then it is still your own fault and not the internet's. I for example use the internet mostly to get or give information and sure I could get my information from analog sources, like an library but let's be realistic it is way faster to google something than to go to an actual building and start seeking for books that may not even cover what you are looking for.
I think it would be a good idea to ask older people that were around before computers what they did for fun, you might get some interesting responses! I have used computers since ~2003, and I got my first cellphone in 2011. I do find myself "wasting" time on these devices, but I do not think it is excessive.
I could live without these devices, but my life would be harder. It would be harder to exchange information with co-workers, get updates from my friends, and talk to family. Technology makes it easier for me to communicate with people I know and to learn about the world. If you did not use computers, what would you do instead? If you do not find the answer fulfilling then technology might not be the problem.
I hate to think of myself as "older" :) But I did grow up where the computer was something my dad would bring home once a month, until the blissful day I managed to save up for my own ZX-80 ... and even then, there were only a handful of crappy games, and nothing like the internet. What did I do? I watched TV, naturally; I read a lot of books; I rode my bike around to friends' places and played war games or D&D or just mucked around. Big things that are different now? It's much harder to get bored. As a teen, there were long vast hours where there was nothing good on TV, you'd read all the good books, your friends were unavailable - basically sometimes there was _nothing_ worth doing. I'm sure people now feel the same way some of the time, but if you are from a first world country, you have access to vast amounts of things to read and do, huge libraries of books, Netflix, Youtube, and all the other entertainment hubs, and millions of mindless trivial entertainments. (Though that can lead to a special modern kind of bored, where you fill time doing something that takes no thought, like browsing reddit or instagram or phone games; but it's still better than having _nothing_ to do, take it from me) Another huge thing that's different is the amazing level of connectivity. It used to be, if you wanted to organise to see a friend, you had to phone them, on a land-line, if they were home. And if they went overseas, you had to write letters, or make very brief hugely expensive phone calls. Now, I've moved from Melbourne to the UK, and yet I can still skype people at home for free; I can maintain close friends, keep up with my family, and I'm more connected to some old friends than I was 15 years ago, when we lived in the same city. So, the TL;DR - would I unplug? Maybe for a few days; sometimes It's good to shut down the noise. But never for any length of time - I rely on the computer and the smartphone, to keep me in contact with friends and family, and as a constant source of information. And the occasional crappy phone game.
I don't think cutting out the internet entirely is a good idea - the internet, as a whole, can offer much more positive influence than negative stuff - just block sites that you feel are a waste of time or unproductive. The internet is such a great place to learn and to experience things - don't deny yourself that opportunity!
Could I physically, of course, however I may have a slight and smidge withdrawal. But at the end of the road, I could not me tally take on this grand task. It's built upon our society and we actually depe d on it whether we like it or not. Now I wouldn't say to downgrade your favorite word process to an archaic, rusy ol' typewriter. Like what ampuseinmyhouse said, you must control your feed of conaumption, not eliminating your devices.
I could live without my computer if it weren't for the fact that so much of my life is tied to it now. My job takes place mostly on a computer, and even the things that aren't digital come from a server in the office. Other than that, the problem would come from schoolwork. Most, if not all of it, is done online or through a computer program. I could always go the library to do that, however there wouldn't be any guarantee that I would have the capability to work there. A smartphone I could absolutely live without, assuming I had an older-style phone to communicate with and something to play music from (hopefully not a full-sized walkman, maybe a pocket-sized mp3 player). With this, however, I never would have been able to keep up my last relationship anywhere as long as I did (because international calling/texting is expensive and my parents would never upgrade our family's phone plan for a girlfriend). I'm thinking of spending a week or so (at least mostly) technology-free over my next family trip in about a week, and if I do it will be an interesting experiment.
I could live without my computer if it weren't for the fact that so much of my life is tied to it now. My job takes place mostly on a computer, and even the things that aren't digital come from a server in the office. Other than that, the problem would come from schoolwork. Most, if not all of it, is done online or through a computer program. I could always go the library to do that, however there wouldn't be any guarantee that I would have the capability to work there. A smartphone I could absolutely live without, assuming I had an older-style phone to communicate with and something to play music from (hopefully not a full-sized walkman, maybe a pocket-sized mp3 player). With this, however, I never would have been able to keep up my last relationship anywhere as long as I did (because international calling/texting is expensive and my parents would never upgrade our family's phone plan for a girlfriend). However, I'm thinking of spending a week or so (at least mostly) technology-free over my next family trip in about a week, and if I do it will be an interesting experiment.
I'm not sure how I would check Hubski? Other than that, I could really use some time to not have these things. I had thought that I would not check my phone/computer while in Vancouver recently on a vacation, but that's when the first reddit revolt happened and I pretty much on my lap top at every waking moment. I need a vacation from the digital.
I've never found the "Unplugged" lifestyle to be enticing. Maybe because I have always loved tech. I still make a point to make time for things that are important to me other than tech. Waking up with the news and a cup of coffee is quite nice, though. Bored at work? Internet. Get home? Go for a run and then play some video games with some friends.
I would be at a loss without a computer. I need it for school (engineering student, that shit is impossible without a computer) and I need it to find information. I would also need a new hobby as the computer is sort of my hobby with a little bit of programming and researching open source tools :p I social media I can do without and TV (this is actually the thing I want to get rid of) and just start reading more instead of wasting time on forums. Video chat would be a great loss though as I want to keep in touch with some people on the other side of the great pond.
I make my living with computers. Yes, I could go repair engines for a living but that would not give me the lifestyle I like.
I can live without a smartphone, considering I don't own one. I could easily live without a tablet (I hardly use mine), or a TV (I've lived without one before). A computer/laptop is pretty essential though. There's a certain 'connectedness' that's needed. One of my CS classes had me 'disconnect' for a day. Using no technology (not even debit/credit cards, light switches, projectors, anything). Was boring as fuck. There's a certain baseline convenience I think people have grown adapted to.
Back before the internet, I spent a lot of time doing photography, art, writing. Which was a good thing. The bad things: was continually bored, restless, spent a lot of time in bars, drank a lot to kill time, never knew what to do with myself, etc. Now in the age of internet: still do writing, but much less art and photography, which I miss and palpably feel the lack of. Good things: always have something to do now, with internet and a laptop: gaming, writing, reading, movies, music, tv, research, books, learning, online classes, online forums, and so on. I did experiment briefly a few years ago with a smartphone that had 24/7 internet access, but I found I didn't use it often, and what I did use it for was stuff I could do on my early generation, no internet or data plan iphone--games, listen to music. Several years later, still have no desire for one, because I spend enough time at a computer as it is. I value quiet moments in the day where I can indulge in cognitive behavior stuff, sensory awareness, walking, meditation, independent thinking, being aware of my surroundings. It vexes me to see so many instances of people hanging out together yet spending the entire time looking at their phones. This may be a generational thing, however. Even if I did want a smartphone, I still wouldn't get one, because of privacy, security, anonymity, want to be left alone reasons.
Live? Yes. Thrive? No. I would have to get a bunch of little spiral bound notepads and I would get a lot less done, especially given my general desire to conserve my physical energy except when I want to really use it. My phone and all it's connected accounts and infrastructure allow me to get a lot done, without having to actually GO a lot of places.
Some time ago my computer broke down and I was forced to spend two months without it. At first it was horrible, even more so because at the time being at the computer was pretty much all I did. What happened though, was that, at the one week mark I was completely weaned off of it and I felt good! I only had a shitty cellphone at the time, which definitely helped, and it was also summertime, which definitely also helped, but my god, it was sooo freeing. I started going outside more (much, much more) and hanging out with the people I cared about, and just enjoying life beyond a computer screen. It was actually amazing, and a summer I really enjoyed. I'm back to being too much time in front of the computer now, but mostly due to necessity.. college, and specifically my course pretty much forces me to spend a lot of time in front of a screen. However I really enjoyed the experience of being computer free and maybe I'll try that again this summer. I can definitely go a while without a computer.
I couldn't live without a computer. Probably the biggest reason would be the news, and spread of information. There is no way I could learn the way I do in college without the massive scholarly databases my university has access to. The fact that I can go onto the web and learn about a topic proficiently is mesmerizing to me. I could probably live without a smartphone though. I already find it very distracting, and it has a real way of destroy social gatherings.
Yes, I could. I lived and worked in Yosemite for about 2 years and I had no access to anything other than a computer that was from like 1994. I hated it at first but after a few months I loved not worring about anything but what trail I was going hike or what rock I was going to climb after work. Technology Is a great thing but living without is much more rewarding in my experience.
No, but minimizing my interactions with technology is tempting. I used to care a lot about technology, but now? I think most of it is used to bullshit. Which is part of why I haven't tried to get a career in it. I think that a key to having a healthy relationship with any habit is to ask yourself "What am I getting out of this? Am I happier for it? Is it harming me?" So: I like using a computer to record what little personal notes I have. I find that the ability to quickly navigate through, search, modify, and share them is powerful. I don't like using my cellphone. I think that texting and phone calls get relied on too much. They aren't as 'deep' to me as face to face conversations. What's probably the minimum I can comfortably stand? I'd be fine with a land line and a raspberry pi. When I moved from an urban area with unlimited broadband to a rural area with a 5 GB/month data cap and spotty connectivity, my quality of life didn't deteriorate. And it didn't jump up when I moved back to the land of cable. As a society, we need to get better at learning to use technology responsibly. Which isn't the same as not using it at all. ->edit<- I'm sorry, I drilled my attention down to the last line of your post and the rest of it went sailing by. Traveling? Moving off the grid? Willpower? What's prompting the change (if you don't mind my asking)? Does the unplugged lifestyle tempt you?
The question occurs to me because it may be my situation in a year.
Do a little experiment. Calm down for 10 seconds and try to think of as little as possible. Now imagine you get an email, a message on Facebook or any other notification. How does that make you feel? If you're like me a few month ago, it might stress you out and you might feel an urge to read it. That's when I turned off nearly all (regular calls ring normally) notifications. It's not an abstinence from technology, but it is indeed a quieter life. Checking everything when it's a good time for me instead of constantly being ripped from my current train of thought by notifications makes all the difference to me.
I could. But I'd have to change my lifestyle to match: get a landline, change all my banking and such to snail mail, notify friends/companies, buy an alarm clock, get a newspaper ever day. There's just so much online for our convenience. If I ever get to the point of completely swearing off my phone and computer, I might as well move to Tahiti or something and start fresh.
No. Without mentioning that I am PAID to use computers, every little tidbit of info I could ever need is within the Internet. Four years ago, someone asked me for directions? I'd look like a dumbass not knowing. Today? Woop, map applications from anywhere because I have a data plan! Sure, there's a lot of time wasters. But there's also a lot of time SAVERS - I can set automated tasks, contact people very easily with varying degrees of urgency/immediateness. I can create and produce things for very cheap, and make money out of it. I can also entertain and distract myself in my spare time (and I strongly believe that the people who say we should ALWAYS be productive are jackasses - even people I know who say that don't realize they aren't always - artists draw/paint or doodle idly for fun, active people tend to do yoga or take a nap... and yet people say I am wasting my time on the Internet (where most often I idly learn/read stuff to relax - TVTropes and Wikipedia are favorites) while they watch TV. Without a computer, it starts becoming a PAIN to pay bills. Without my phone, communication starts being a bit more complex. Hell, without the three daily alarms of my phone (which would require more than one device normally), I'd miss out on a lot, including my medication. So no, I couldn't.
When I'm home I'm pretty much always on the computer. I use it for entertainment, work, studying, and everything else. I often find myself not quite knowing what to do without the computer. When I'm not at home though? I hardly ever look at my phone and never use my computer outside my home. I didn't even realize I did this until I saw your question. Even when I would bring my computer to class, I'd only use it to take notes. Sometimes I even leave and go for a walk without my phone just because why do I need my phone?