Time & Technology

Hi Everyone!

My Pastor gave some very eye-opening statistics to the congregation this past Sunday. I was so amazed that I decided to write about it – and what better place than here!

According to what he had researched and found regarding technology, look at these statistics:

• 78% of 12 to 13 year olds go to bed with their cell phones so that they don’t miss any calls!

• 86% of 14 to 15 year olds go to bed with their cell phones! And,

• 21% of 18 to 30 year olds can’t go through the night without checking Facebook!

First of all, this made me feel very old. But, secondly, look at what is happening to these young people! Technology is great, and it has brought major improvements to our lives in the way of medicine and communications. Unfortunately, it may lead to a time when our children will forget about reading a book, or learning how to spell, or going out to meet people for food and conversation. Why do all that when you can just sit down, or even walk, and keep in touch with whom you want?

Just prior to hearing these statistics, I was reading the March 2011 edition of Reader’s Digest. The writer, Susan Maushart, (who’s article was excerpted from The Winter of Our Disconnect), who had her family disconnect from all technology for six months. She started with the electricity for a 2-week period of time and then banned TV, cell phones, IPods, etc. for 6 months. If they needed computers for school they had to go to the library. They did not receive, nor send any emails, tweets, or whatever for 6 months! Instead they learned how to communicate with each other, and spent time around the piano singing, or playing other instruments.

While that type of withdrawal would leave even ME feeling deprived, it all made sense. What did we do before all of these wonders? We actually walked to a phone (usually just one), and called someone. We walked to a friend’s house, or drove if we had a car. We spent time chatting with others, in person! What a concept.

Considering the statistics on the kids, I still stick to my old rules – do not spend all day in front of, or on, all of these devices. How many of the “friends” that you have, have you ever seen? It really is a great tool for reaching out, but I think we have gone way beyond just reaching out. People are having contests to see how many “friends” they can get by the end of the month. Really? Is this what life and love are all about – chats in a chatroom? No more walking hand-in-hand somewhere? No more feeling the fresh air on your face? No more waiting in anticipation for a friend (a real friend, not a make-believe friend), to tell you some really personal great news? No more real birthday presents? How very sad.

Even at networking events, seminars, and workshops, you can see people on their cell phones or texting. Are they, or you, really that important that you HAVE to take or make that call? And if so, why are you at that event? I can understand a medical doctor who is at an event, or seminar, and has to rush out because a patient needs him/her. What about the rest of us?

So, again, take time off of the devices dangling from your ear, inside your pocket, attached to your belt, or clipped to your purse. And read your emails at home or in your office and not while you’re supposedly having a conversation with someone!

‘Til next time . . . Coach Sheila of clutter STOP® Sheila@clutterstop.com