Tales from the "real" world
Using a computer often gets branded with the same attributes as watching TV. It is often seen as antisocial and a waste of time. These machines rot our brains, right? Well, this past week I spent some time away from my computer, and I've come to a different conclusion.
First, I should clarify; I'm no monk - it was just a few days, but it was quite a change from my routine.
What I found was that my computer isn't rotting my brain at all. Rather, I use my computer for all kinds of activities that I would generally consider quite healthy and positive.
I use my computer to write. I use my computer to read (all kinds of great stuff), I use my computer to communicate (with real people). I write for this site, I write for my intranet at work. I (attempt to) compose and record music. I communicate with people through email, through discussions on this site other others.
I also realized how much practical "real world" stuff I do online. For example, this week I constantly found myself wanting to do things like check the movie listing for the local independent cinema (aren't I cool?), look up more detail on a news story I heard on CBC Radio (btw, CBC Radio is my new best friend), or even just taking care of some banking. Sure, I could call the cinema, and walk to the bank (which I did), but there is no offline equivalent to the ability to dig up details and background on a radio news story. Oh, and it turns out that banking online is a far more inviting and humanizing experience than actually going to the real bank.
I've learned this week that I use my computer (and the Internet) to do good things - things that I enjoy, at least.
A computer is just a tool (Marshall McLuhan be damned!). The computer is just as content to help you map the human genome as it is to show you hardcore midget porn. It will be interesting to see if the popular conception of what it means to "use a computer" will change. It might sound like a waste of time if I told you I spent all weekend "on the computer", but what if I told you I was writing a novel, or composing a symphony (not that I've done either of these things).
This isn't to say that I use my computer solely as a tool for enlightmentment. In fact, just last year I suffered a nasty adiction to Tony Hawk Pro Staker 2.
For more the on the "cult of Turn Off Your Computer", read Curt Cloninger's article, The Cult of "Turn Off Your Computer" Must Die.
Maybe we have all advanced to a point of equilibrium of facination with the medium that few people run a business where people sitting at the same desk ICQ each other - maybe not. I remember seeing a "piece" on computer use on TV showing a couple that e-mailed each other as they worked away at their business in the same room. I thought they were nuts. Now - at my newish job - I am ICQing guys I can swing at because of the quiet convenience, the organization and the keeping of the record of the conversation. Tools are only useful if you understand them and once they are they disappear. McLuhan is right, though, as even though they disappear they leave other ripples in life than the immediate. Being wary of those effects is important.
As a result, I am still skeptical about how pervasive we need the technology to be. Do I need to be able to buy a car with my wired fridge? I can't imagine. Do I need to dig spuds in the garden and can't with my computer? You bet. Do I need to kick a real ball on a pitch wearing stripey clothes more than I need to play FIFA 2002 (and not just because I suck at the latter)? Definitely. So how long is it to the "while" that we need to be turning off the thing?
I too spend a lot of time on the computer during the week but I never think its too much. I know my limits and when its time to shut down for the day (one reason why I dont have much time for games anymore). My limits just happen to be higher then those that criticize and many of those critics are the ones that dont know or understand how a computer can be a benefit instead of just a chat room.
If I can do it online, I will. Why go stand in line when I can pay my bills, register my vehicle, get answers from a tech form, read the opinions of a blog and get a review on a product all in a single afternoon?
Since the Internet I watch less TV and play fewer games religiously but have learned so much more all on my own time. The Internet is a resource tool if used effectively.
The comment at the end of Curt Cloninger's article summarized it all for me: I have a life -- a REAL life, and part of it is online.
And this person conterdicted their argument by telling people to shut down their computers while being on one...
I would think that I do spend a large amount of my free time doing something or other on the computer. But I would also like to think that I use my time constructively as well as alowing me to make better use of the time I'm not on the computer, by searching and reading others views/reviews on certain books or music I am interested in, or a new band etc ....
I personally would spend a lot more of my time wastefully if it wasn't for my computer and it's coupling to the internet.
BTW, your publishing system thinks my email address which ends in .info is not kosher! :)
