Technology addiction

[Alice In TX/MO]

Can we talk about technology addiction? I check my email probably eight to ten times a day. I keep my MP3 player plugged into my ear most of the time with audio books playing. I check this website and read the goat boards three times a day at least.

I *know* part of it is attempting to reduce the time that I worry about things.

But..... I'm thinking I need to get more into reality (gardening, quilting, building things) instead of technology.

Do you have issues like this? What are you planning on doing about it?

[featherbottoms]

I am here at my computer from when I get up till I go to bed. We keep odd hours so that can be from 8 am till 11 pm or 11 am till 3 or 4 am, or any combination of the above. I do take breaks during the day to work on other things but this is where I can be found most of the time.

I keep my blackberry close by and check email on it every little bit. I'm on an email list that's very active and if I didn't delete them fairly often I'd be overwhelmed with emails to content with. And then there's the news feeds and the blogs and rss feeds that I get on there. Same thing, if I don't delete or move them I'd not keep up.

Almost all of what I do is related to either selling books online or the database software we are writing so I can't get away from it. As a matter of fact, just recently my husband and I have started talking to each other through the chat program. I'm in here in my office and he's in the other room and it's easier for me to ask him how something works, or tell him something is broken, by chat than it is to walk in there and then have to remember what I wanted to tell him. If I'm here at the computer I can test the feature or see how something works and give him instant feedback.

And a few weeks ago I was watching a TV show on the computer, with ear phones, and working on software at the same time (I have two monitors so I can watch tv on one and work on one). I realized I could edit books, watch/listen to TV and do one more computer project at the same time. If I added a fourth thing though I couldn't do it, especially if it was instant messaging. So three seems to be my multi-task limit (at least if one is watching TV online).

However, I have taken time away from all of this in the past. From August last year until about July of this year I didn't hardly work online at all. It was not something I gave up by choice, however, it did make me realize that I could leave it all behind and do just fine.

I think that is the key thing here. Knowing you can give it up at any time.

Debora

[Jenn]

Two issues or more for me: body kinetics (aches and pains), and depression/mood. I spend all day at work at a computer. If I come home and spend another 3 hours in front of my PC it's too much on my neck. If I spend too much time on GC or Politics then my BP rises and I hate life and the idiots in this country. Beyond that of course it sucks times away from other activity- so I'm also in a poor mood with too much time online because I have a lot less time out in the garden or walking the dogs or hanging out with the kids then. Or a lot less sleep or work or exercise accomplished.

I also worry about divisions between people- DH is at his PC gaming and I here foruming most evenings so sex or other intimacy is much less often than it must have been for couples pre TV and even post TV but pre cable. You not even being in same room with your DH. People out to eat together (DH is guilty on his CrACKBERRY) not even talking to each other. DD17 telling me I'd ruined her social life not paying for her to have texting, DD10 ditto since I won't let her facebook. Whither charm and pheremones and actual social interactions based on two or more human bodies paying attention to each others' words and actions.

I definitely medicate (wind down from a stressful day- my two martinis after work) with technology- and do much better if I medicate with a book, or time of day and weather permitting, a walk or some digging in the garden.

[JuliaAnn]

I stopped trying to keep up with technology a long time ago. I believe technology is a wonderful thing, and necessary for mankind, but I know it is moving so fast, developing new capabilities almost constantly, which is why there are new kinds of devices out every year. Certainly competition for consumer's dollars is a tremendous driving force--Apple vs Whoever-- and I see people getting the newest, latest, most cutting edge gadgets all the time. I think it's great---but not for me.

I have a cheap Net 10 cell phone. No camera, just a phone. It will text, but I don't know how, nor am I willing to burn up my minutes with doing so. Same for dh... we both need a cell phone, but I don't need a computer/communications device/entertainment center/babysitter that fits in my palm. I just need a cell phone. Kids are too young yet for all that stuff.

I check email about once a week. No x boxes, playstations or wees, no Iphones, pads or tunes, no kindles or other book reading devices. If I want tunes, we have a radio and a stereo/cd player; if I want to read, we have books and magazines. No facebook, texting, tweeting, or tooting.

Yeah, boo, hiss, we live under a rock. For some reason, I just don't care about keeping up with technology. I tihink it's great for those who enjoy it. I guess I just dont' enjoy it.

I am in and out of a couple of forums every day, usually when I sit down to take a break for a while, or after the kids are in bed. This is about as high-tech as we get, I guess. We also only have the one computer. Well, not true, we do have a laptop, but it's several years old and has never had the software updated, so we sometimes use it for watching movies. We have a dvd player but it's broke. Guess we should buy a new one of those sometime...

I have to do chores around here, tend my poultry and gardens (which are still feeding us, even in December). I don't want to take time away from my chores or spending time with my dh and kids to sit in front of the computer or engaging in other electronic entertainment.

[chickenista]

I am not a technology addict.. I don't even have a basic cellphone, nevermind a fancy one.
BUT>>> I am totally addicted to my audiobooks on my little Ipod-y thing. All day, everyday, constantly. I love it.

I piddle around on the computer between chores and stuff and with morning coffee and before bed with my hot milk.

Hey Alice.. http://search.overdrive.com/ Check out Overdrive to see if it is available from your local library! Our library has bought in and I can download tons of books for free suing my library card and a passcode. I can feed my addiction for free! Sweet.

[BamaSpek]

Originally Posted by featherbottoms

As a matter of fact, just recently my husband and I have started talking to each other through the chat program. ........................................ it's easier for me to ask him how something works, or tell him something is broken, by chat than it is to walk in there and then have to remember what I wanted to tell him.

[Trixie]

I do spend too much time here and I agree, GC does get me worked up sometimes. Hopefully when I get more of my things moved up here to this house, I can get my sewing room set up and begin doing some fun things and won't waste so much time. It isn't all a waste, I learn so very much, but I don't need to spend so much time here.

We only have cell phones, so I have one - have only used mine a couple of times in the last 2 months, but want it when husband is away from home.

I also listen to books on tape when I'm sewing or working. I have a ringing in my ears and it helps to mask that - sometimes I play music - that's either cassette tapes or my turntable - not new technology at all.

I'm sure I could use an ATM machine if I had to, but probably couldn't remember my pin number.

I do check my email usually a couple of times a day - to hear from children. Also, for about 3 years, I did book work for my son's business and that was done on the internet - receiving work orders and creating and sending invoices, writing letters, etc. I don't do that now, maybe that's why I'm spending too much time on this board.

If my family would all stay within shouting distance, I'd probably not have computer, phone, etc.

[Callieslamb]

I love this forum - but it's about the only place I go regularly online. I do spend too much time at it some days. Usually a few minutes here and there all day long. I read a few threads and hop and skip around a bit. Come back and do it again. Don't do Ipod, MP3. Don't even like music in the background these days. Don't listen to talk radio except a few minutes here and there.

I love most of technology and what it opens up to us. But I do spend too much time at it in many ways.

[KnowOneSpecial]

I'm there with out. In fact, at one time I put the computer in the bedroom closet-unplugged. But I found I could use my kids computer and I just switched over to that.

For me it the fact that I can 'interact' with people on my terms. In real life you have to look into their eyes as they talk, be polite and there are a ton of rules to communicating! On line I can communicate on my terms. And it's easy to get a clear thought through when you can think about it for a few minutes as you type it.

But it bugs me that I spend so much time on line. I'm turning the puter off today and won't turn it on until later tonight or tomorrow when I post pic's of the kids in their Christmas jammies or gift openings. My family lives far away and this way they can join in.

I'm even thinking of having one or two days a week that I turn the puter on in the new year. I figure that if things are really important that those who matter can call me. I still have a phone! As for the other stuff, it's not that important.

[big rockpile]

For years we didn't have Electric but once we got it we enjoyed what so many take for granted.

Now we have the T.V.,two Computers and IPhones yea we enjoy everything.

big rockpile

[mnn2501]

I am in front of a computer at work 8 hours a day and when its slow we can surf the net, thats where I post from mainly.
When I am off I may check my email once a day. I have a cell phone but its an old one with no data capabilities. I don't text, I hate sites like; facebook, linkedin, etc. I never tweet, don't sms or skype. I don't have an ipod or MP3 player and rarely listen to music due to tinnitius. I do watch TV, but its from my recliner not my office chair and only DVR'd shows so I can zap the commercials and watch when I want to.

Reading (honest to goodness actual books) and gardening are my 2 main hobbies.

My younger co-workers joke about me being a geezer. but thats ok. I'm proud to be a geezer in this area.

[Laura Zone 10]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Can we talk about technology addiction? I check my email probably eight to ten times a day. I keep my MP3 player plugged into my ear most of the time with audio books playing. I check this website and read the goat boards three times a day at least.

I *know* part of it is attempting to reduce the time that I worry about things.

But..... I'm thinking I need to get more into reality (gardening, quilting, building things) instead of technology.

Do you have issues like this? What are you planning on doing about it?

I am surrounded by folks that have tech addictions.
I "force" silence / being still on them when we are in the car. I do not turn on the radio, and they cannot plug into the ipod/mp3. It's "talking" time!!
Or
I will not have the tv on until after 5 pm.
The rule is if you are listening to the radio, no talking. There's no point in having the radio on if you have to talk over it.

They think I am batspit crazy....but some day they will understand why.

I check my email 2-3x a day, sometimes less. But I do spend too much time on the internet. I need to make some lists and get busy with my hands, in my home.

Part of the "new me" Jan 1! I am kicking 3 other addictions, so may as well put this on on the list too!!

[nc_mtn]

No I don't have an addiction -- HEY GUESS WHAT I CAN TRACK SANTA WITH MY PHONE!! Thanks Google Maps

[Wolf mom]

I think that electronic communication is great! - in balance with everything else. I have 2 e-mail addresses - one for me, one for junk. I have a cell - & don't give out the number. I'm on twitter, only to see my grandsons - I have no info on mine. Music? when I want to turn on the radio.

I believe that in the near future we'll see a lot of the younger, plugged in, generation unable to conduct interpersonal relationships.

My addiction? Books - Yup, I can sure loose myself I one. And until it becomes a hinderance or I go blind, I don't see me stopping it.

i feel less like i am addicted to my computer and more like my lap top is stapled to my head. i dont really want it there but i have slowly managed to get so much of our life tied in to it that when i get away from it things fall apart, truly we miss appointments, miss paying bills, its so annoying but i am slowly trying to get our life back from the box, especially since it has had problems 3 times this year. i have a generic ipod for music, nice since we have eclectic musical tastes, and a trac phone for emergencies (i pride myself on stretching my minutes)... i have been accused of being a luddite and if i could figure out who to get away from it all more i would, i am still working on that.

[willow_girl]

I'm kinda on the other end of the spectrum: I do hard physical labor 8-12 hours a day and when I get home, I'm ready to sit in a chair for awhile. Being online gives me the illusion that I'm accomplishing something without having to move anything except my fingers! LOL

[Our Little Farm]

Originally Posted by nc_mtn

No I don't have an addiction -- HEY GUESS WHAT I CAN TRACK SANTA WITH MY PHONE!! Thanks Google Maps

I work on my laptop, I do a lot of research and so am in and out of HT a lot and my e-mail. Like others I have to delete my e-mail messages daily or it would be overwhelming. I get over 80 a day. Many work related but some not. If I ever ignore someone here, who has e-mailed me, please forgive me, but you may have got lost amongst the masses.

We have a lot of computers in this hse. DH also works through one and then has to go out in the field when work calls. (not a pasture field LOL). The kids school online, so yes they are important to us.

We all love history and research! If the kids are interested in something, they look it up. We trust them and have had not reason not to. Boundaries were set many moons ago.

[Jim-mi]

Go ahead and call me a geezer if ya wants . . .but in a way I feel sorry for this new generation who can ONLY communicate with electronics . . . . ..
and cant talk from room to room . . . . . .WOW
and people brag about all their latest electronic whis-bangs.....

The day will come when that will bite you in the @$*...........

Since my accident I now carry a simple trac phone . . for emergencies only. . . .sure helped when I had icing fuel problems the other night with my diesel truck.
Yes I do enjoy sitting at my desk on this puter........

Call me when you rediscover some of the good old fashioned ways of person to person communicating.....................

[Horseyrider]

I'm really enjoying these responses.

I dunno; I guess for me I decided a long time ago that I wasn't enjoying life much when I was trying to think about the next thing while doing something at hand. I decided to try and live more in the moment, and really experience what I'm doing. Doesn't matter if I'm reading a book or working in the garden, I want to do just that thing and truly notice everything about it. I find life much more rich that way.

And yes I have a smartphone, but I don't use the browser functions. I keep my phone with me turned on always, because I do some volunteer emergency work for the county and need to be easily located. I use my laptop a lot, but set boundaries about getting stuff done. I have XM radio in the house and the vehicles, but I only use it occasionally. DirecTV full package that generally stays off until noon so I can catch up on the news. Then it's back off all day. I like that stuff but I don't need it running all day.

Ever feel the jolt of going down the road with the radio on, and suddenly turn it off? I find that when it's on, my head is in the radio and what they're describing, and the surrounding scenery is kind of two dimensional. But when the radio goes off, I snap into the present and see the sprawling fields around me, the little new fence around a neighbor's farmstead, and the cool pink frosty light on the horizon at the end of day. I really like being in the moment and savoring the richness of it.

"Newer" isn't always "better."

[featherbottoms]

BamaSpek

As a matter of fact, just recently my husband and I have started talking to each other through the chat program. ........................................ it's easier for me to ask him how something works, or tell him something is broken, by chat than it is to walk in there and then have to remember what I wanted to tell him.


__________________
“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.”

I knew this would cause some angst so I should probably clarify.

Before we start work for the day we usually spend 2 hours or more just talking to each other. And it's usually not work related, although since we work from home on the same project it usually comes up. After at least one pot of coffee we go to work. Working on this software like we do means we are both at our respective computers all day - no different than having a job somewhere else. It's a lot easier for both of us to work on problems/fixes/features and such if we don't have to keep getting up and going to the others' office to tell them what we need. We get a lot more done on the software that way.

OTOH, we don't have TV and we very rarely watches movies online. When we aren't working on software we are working on the house, in the yard or reading. We spend 24 hours a day, 7 days a week together. Very rarely does one of us go anywhere without the other, unless it's a quick trip to the post office or something. We cook supper together, clean house together and talk to each other about everything we do. Chatting our work fixes is convenient but it doesn't mean we are neglectful of each other. On the contrary, I think we spend more "quality" time together than a lot of people.

And for the technology itself, there's a lot of good to say about it. I think the ability to have information available instantly outweighs part of the negatives. One just has to have the discipline to use it wisely and not let it overtake the day to day interactions with family and friends or the things you want to accomplish in life - be it your crafts, farm work, etc. I'll admit that I was guilty of spending a lot of time playing with my Blackberry when I first got it. I was, and still am, amazed at all the things it can do but now I am over the initial awe factor and it's just another tool.

Peace and blessing to everyone.

Deb.