Techno-babble

I know people who live their entire lives in cyberspace. No, these people aren't 'hacker' types, they're not even computer geeks of any caliber. They're just average, nice, normal people.

And they're becoming addicts.

Before you say anything, dear reader, I'm aware that this is a fairly hypocritical statement for me to make. I'm writing and publishing this blog on a web-hosted open blogging resource because I want to insert my opinion into the public consciousness. I do see a difference, however. I'm aware that my level of dependence on internet-based information is increasing to a pretty disturbing degree. I recognize when I'm overloading on input and consciously take myself off-line periodically. There is absolutely nothing in the world as liberating and soul-relaxing as a techno shutdown.

The people that I am most concerned about are those who tweet, post, and photograph each moment of their lives. I've also noticed that very few people with whom I interact can make it through a meal or a conversation without checking their phone or tablet for information updates. I have become acutely aware when I am guilty of this same action. Can we not even hold a conversation without saying "Hey I saw this really cool thing on this really cool site! Look at it!"  I know for me, this is a huge problem. I have decided to train my brain to see my phone as a tool rather than as an umbilical cord to the rest of the world.  This object was created to make some things more convenient in life, and so I am trying to treat it the way it should be treated. At the moment, my phone is my radio. When I go into my lab to work, it will also be my camera and email service, because both of those tools are required for my work.

Will I be tempted to check Facebook and Twitter to see if anyone has said anything interesting lately? Absolutely. And I will check both. But maybe by becoming aware of what I'm doing, I can reduce the 'need' I feel to compulsively check both.

People all around me are becoming information addicts.

I'm one of them.