Disconnecting

For this assignment we were suppose to disconnect from technology as much as we could. I chose to check my email once a day, check my phone once a day, not IM anyone, and not use word processor. To me, this task was easy. The only reason I ever check my email is incase of cancelled classes or changed meeting times. In fact I never use my email when I'm not at college because it is a hassle, especially when you do not have fast internet connection. For the five days we performed these rituals, I never even looked at my phone. I left it in my dorm and found that I really didn't need it. I'm someone who likes to talk to people face to face so I didn't even get any phone calls all week. As for IMing, I do not even have it downloaded on my computer. Once again, talking to people over a screen does not seem very personal to me. From February 26 to Wednesday 28, I was sick and found myself lying in bed for most of the time. This made it really easy to disconnect. I never used the internet and did not have too much homework so Word Processor was easy to stay away from. Honestly, I did not learn much from this assignment. It was easy and I have done it before. I would much rather spend my time reading, practicing my hobbies, and talking to people face to face than be sitting at my desk glaring at the computer screen. Maybe it is just my lifestyle but I do not think it is too hard to stay away from the technology that we have incorporated into our lives. Obviously, in the 1800's and before then, humans have survived on less technology. What strikes me as difficult is if we had to take away a washing machine and do our laundry with our hands. Or how about the T.V., we would have to go out to buy the newspaper everyday for local news. I already do not own a microwave or ever use my dryer but what if electricity was taken away from us. I believe our lives would be much more active and stenuous. Our daily chores would change and we would be waking up at early hours to catch more light. We would live more like farmers and by what I know, they live a pretty healthy lifestyle since they do not sit around on a couch watching T.V. or in a chair staring at a computer.