May Contain Peanuts

Technology Reactology

If there was an emergency, how would you contact the person or entity you need? Most likely, that answer is by cell phone, text message or email. Along with those common answers, there are fancier ones such as video chat, tweets, GPS coordinates or social media postings (maybe even blog posts). These are all very convenient and easy ways of modern day communication. Now, think back 10 or 20 years. How would you contact those same people? I would say it would require a big yellow and white tome known as a 'phone book' and that corded piece of machinery that was attached to your kitchen wall. Some may even use the postal system to correspond via hand-written medium. These old methods were not nearly as fast or convenient as our current offerings, but things still got done and emergencies and problems were still handled.

What we have now is an ever increasing importance on not just the end product and solution, but the time it takes to get that communication and response. If we want an answer, it is as simple as a click or two on a computer. We no longer have to involve people for references or devote much effort into research or trials. We can talk to a person on the other side of the globe and even watch the same movie with them at the same time if we wanted to. The time barrier of space and location has been evaporated into the limits of the speed of light; data traveling in a constant flow around the world (and through space) and we can just hook in and enjoy the ride.

Granted, these technological advances have no doubt helped all of us be more productive and (hopefully) better educated about ourselves and the world around us. My concern is less with the information available to us at all times and more with the new social norm of time expected to obtain that information. I often find myself at the fault of impatience when something I search for on the internet does not show up on the first result page or if I do not get an email response soon after I send mine. Can the availability of instantaneous response and communication actually be a hindrance? Sure, there is the satisfaction of knowing information is always at your fingertips, but along with that comes the anxiety and stress of keeping up with those results and those calls; making sure you yourself are tied into the network of people that are moving at the speed of light, in fear of being left out or left behind.

Ever heard of Phantom Vibration Syndrome? Does your job require you to have a phone or Blackberry always by your side? Do you get angry when you get an answering machine instead of reaching the person? Do you immediately worry if someone doesn't call you back or if someone doesn't contact you when they said they would? These are just some of the possible downsides to our constant connectivity. They are not horrible downsides, but as someone who sees stress as the enemy, instantaneous communication certainly compounds the effort to be stress free. The need to be 'tied in' and available for those potential emergencies can be as much a burden as they are an aid.

Fortunately, there are always alternatives. The postal system is lovingly referred to as 'snail mail' as it is far too slow and old fashioned to keep up with today's velocity. Yes, the postal system is hurting in terms of use and relevancy, but it is still around. People still have phones in their kitchens and begrudgingly still get phone books dropped on their doorsteps. The old ways of communication are still available and still used. I am not alone in my recognition of technology's ubiquity and its potential harm, as there are sweeping movements acknowledging the benefits of 'unplugging' and leaving the smart phones and tablets alone for a while. The point I am trying to make is that yes, new technology makes life simpler and easier, but we must be cognizant of what that simplicity is replacing and what new consequences may come of it. We may get that information faster or contact that person in the blink of an eye, but it comes as a result of being part of a technological world that never sleeps; and I know I for one can get pretty grumpy without my sleep.