A Day Without Digital Technology

Last week I performed an experiment on myself by choosing to not use digital technology to the best of my ability for one whole day. I kept a record of what I did instead, how I felt, and I will give my assessment on it. This all started because of my English professor who thought this would be a good task for us all to try. Seeing that we live in a very technological world I perceived that this would be more difficult than I initially thought. For this experiment I gave up my cell phone, television, and my social networking cites (Facebook & Myspace).

Besides waking up to the alarm clock on my phone I did successfully accomplish the experiment. I had to use my phone to wake me up because I did not see any other way around it. The first thing I noticed was I did not get that instant perk-up from my boyfriend saying "good morning beautiful". Normally this is the first thing I have to greet my day with.

Once I left my room for class I did not know if I was on time or late for class because I normally check my phone constantly for the time; I do not have a wrist-watch. My first class was not bad, but later in the day it proved more stressful to make it to my classes on time. In between my classes I decided to play on the swings for something to do. It was a nice, warm day outside. During the afternoon I did feel sort of lonely because I did not get the chance to talk to my family or friends back home. Normally I talk to a handful of friends throughout the day via text.

Not only could I not speak with people from back home, but I could not get a hold of friends living here in Oklahoma. Because I could not text, call, or even message them on Facebook, it proved a chore to meet up with friends. I could only hang out with friends who lived on the same floor as me because living in the dorms it is necessary to have a card to have access to their rooms. Without them knowing I was coming, they did not come to open the locked doors.

On a totally different aspect, it was much easier to complete my homework for the day because I did not have all of the distractions that my multi-tasking throws at me. Instead I finished my work quicker and had free time! :) With my free time I decided to go to a friend's apartment and knock on her door. We went outside since it was such a beautiful day out, and we laid out by her pool. While we were suntanning we had our zoology notes out to study. It was a very relaxing time due to no interruptions from a cell phone.

Above is a picture I took while laying outside studying. The pool was behind me.

My friend and I took pictures to capture our memories and for something else to do. We were being pretty silly and letting loose because we finally could have a some-what care-free day before dead week and finals. However I now come to realize that even taking pictures with our cameras was using digital technology. Since I gave up different aspects I feel that this was not deter mental to the experiment because I went in having certain items I would not allow myself to use, and those objects I did abstain from.

I feel that without digital technology we are taking a step back in time. It gives you a chance to slow down in this fast-paced world. It is almost as if you have a bird's eye view on what is going around outside of you. At times I did feel a bit lonely, but it was not that bad. I kept myself busy and productive. I also at one time felt a bit of anxiety from not talking to some friends, but it was nothing that I could not handle. Also the next day I did not feel I needed to rush to my digital devices, nor make up for lost time with them. I think that since this experiment I have used my devices a bit less and have taken the opportunity to not be so connected because the freedom without it can be very comforting.

One person who believes in the abstinence of computers is Wendell Berry. He is a farmer and a former English professor at the University of Kentucky who writes using only pen/pencil and paper. One essay he wrote was "Why I am Not Going to Buy a Computer" which describes his views that technology is not better than traditional forms of writing. Instead he chooses to have his wife edit and type his work on a typewriter. He says that in order for computers to be good they would always have to get cheaper, be fixable by the user, not interrupt what is already a good working system, not ruin family and community, etc.

Even though I gave up my technology for one day, Mr. Berry has chosen to live independent of digital technology. While I respect his opinions, I will choose to keep technology in my life because I feel that it is pertinent to my success. This experiment was an eye opening experience that showed me I am a strong, independent person who can live with our without digital technology, but like I stated I will continue to live with it. Being in the twenty-first century technology is very important for everyday life. What will you do with technology?