Tag Archives: #DigitalMedia

24 Hours: Quitting Cold-Turkey

@RachaelS_DTC

I wouldn’t consider myself to be someone who is dependent on technology, but this last week I discovered I was. It was very difficult to go 24 hours without using technology. I use to read in my spare time (when I had some) and having a break from technology allowed me to actually read a book that wasn’t required! I had a great sense of freedom and I was able to relax. I definitely was tempted to pull up Netflix, nonetheless I did enjoy having time to separate myself from the internet. I realized that this temporary separation was beneficial. First, I was more calm and relaxed. There wasn’t a notification on Facebook to distract me or a email I needed to reply to immediately. Second, I was able to spend my time with ‘real’ things, like my family and pets. This pause from my x-reality allowed me to improve my relationship with my family. I agree that digital technology makes us cyborgs by improving our lives, such as communication, but it also creates a barrier to the people around us. We are so plugged into social media with our avatars it is difficult to experience real life. Sometimes our x-realities become mostly digital realities and we become separated from the people closest to us. A break from technology has allowed me to experience my physical reality. I did miss technology and I would not be able to separate myself forever, but a break is sometimes needed to relax.

Digital Divide

@PerrinKyla

Going a full day without my computer and smart phone seemed like it would be extremely difficult. However, it was actually easy for me to go an entire day without using both of them. I kept busy by going to the gym, running errands, and catching up on reading for my classes.  When I had things that I could keep busy doing it was easier for me to not worry about using any type of computer or phone. I did realize that our lives these days are totally reliable on digital media for communication and entertainment. Those who don’t have access or rarely have access to computers or computing devices have found ways to live their lives around technology. Some of them don’t need to have it or don’t want  the technology. If looking for a job most places ask that you apply online but when they do, they do not receive the application right away. If someone did not have access to a computer they would either go to a public library or find a work place that had an in store application that they could fill out. Whether or not an individual has home access to a computer or the internet is a part of what  Mossberger and Tolbert refer to as the “access divide.” These days there are public libraries and certain organizations that are set up to help people who do not have at home access to digital media. For some it may be easier than for others but it is doable.