A breath of fresh air reading this—I can totally relate. Not sure it’s possible to pull a Thoreau in the year 2024, or if so, what that would look like, but bravo for trying and for sharing so thoughtfully your experience.
For me, too. And, as a world-weary Boomer, one who grew up with my parents' post- Great Depression, post-War hopes leading to my own actions, seizing on a ".. blind faith in spontaneous progress taking hold in people's minds..." (Karl Polanyi) - Until I started seeing the prevalence of the following of the little dark mirrors everywhere, including in my hand, and then it was just too much. A flip-phone replaced the smartphone three years ago; I've been in the process of re-connecting with what's left of real and actual human exchanges, and disconnecting from the Machine since. One step at a time...
August, what a message! I have experienced a similar (although much smaller scale) effect over the last year and have never spent more time on a computer than since I started writing about "unmachining". It has taken a lot of strict lines and learning to ignore publishing pressures....The draw into the digital seems almost inescapable, and is acutely felt especially when one writes about reducing tech dependance. I am currently part of a launch team of a book on this topic and am stunned how much oxymoronic social media buzz is expected by the publisher. Thanks for your insightful reflections.
I live in probably the most digitalized society in the world - Norway. There haven't been checks here in use for 35 years now, at least, so when I visit the States, and buy groceries, I can't believe my eyes when I see people paying by check. Smart phone usage is so completely pervasive that you can't even buy a subway ticket with cash. Barely 1 percent of all financial transactions here are done in cash, though we are advised to keep a thousand dollars on hand, in case All banking is done digitally, by phone or computer, and has been like this for 20 some years. In 2003, we were doing pre-production on a film that had a bank-robbing scene. Well, even then, in 2003, there were no bricks and mortars banks. We had to build a set! So all this I guess depends on how far you go in each society. Luckily, we are now going back to books in schools grades 1 - 10, but I fear going back to pre-digital times is mostly wishful thinking.
Dang. I remember being able to touch my toes. Ah! Those were the days. Thank you, as always, for the imagery you unfailingly fill my head with anytime you share your art(s) with us. You are both treasure and treasured. 🙏🏼 💜 🙏🏼
Hope you are able to — easily & simply — create a restorative environment for yourself now, if not already. Be well 🫶🏼
I found this article akin to reading a thriller book in the vein of "The French Connection." Ha, dating myself.
I've avoided these issues by never having used a notsosmart phone (unlike what some others have said in the comments, I don't consider my flip phone to be a dumb phone). My boss bitched at me once because I didn't have a notsosmart phone and hadn't seen an e-mail from a client over the weekend. I replied: We're architects, not ER doctors; you could pay for my to have a business notsosmart phone, but I'd turn it off every day at five o'clock, and wouldn't turn it on until the next day we're open. He never complained again. Now our office is closed and we all work from home. When I head upstairs from my office at five I don't touch the work computer until eight the next morning. I do get pissed with companies expect you to use a stupid phone (less typing with that description), specifically when traveling. I still manage, but they really love to punish those of us who don't comply, which is one big reason why my wife and I don't travel too much these days. It's easier to clean the house and let people come to see us!
Don't let tech rule your life, there are so many better things to do and see without it.
A breath of fresh air reading this—I can totally relate. Not sure it’s possible to pull a Thoreau in the year 2024, or if so, what that would look like, but bravo for trying and for sharing so thoughtfully your experience.
For me, too. And, as a world-weary Boomer, one who grew up with my parents' post- Great Depression, post-War hopes leading to my own actions, seizing on a ".. blind faith in spontaneous progress taking hold in people's minds..." (Karl Polanyi) - Until I started seeing the prevalence of the following of the little dark mirrors everywhere, including in my hand, and then it was just too much. A flip-phone replaced the smartphone three years ago; I've been in the process of re-connecting with what's left of real and actual human exchanges, and disconnecting from the Machine since. One step at a time...
Oh do we have a book coming out on just that topic soon for you! :D
Sometimes my friends who remember I'm a dumbphone user text me emojis-in-words such as 'Smily face with glasses, flame, heart'
August, what a message! I have experienced a similar (although much smaller scale) effect over the last year and have never spent more time on a computer than since I started writing about "unmachining". It has taken a lot of strict lines and learning to ignore publishing pressures....The draw into the digital seems almost inescapable, and is acutely felt especially when one writes about reducing tech dependance. I am currently part of a launch team of a book on this topic and am stunned how much oxymoronic social media buzz is expected by the publisher. Thanks for your insightful reflections.
I live in probably the most digitalized society in the world - Norway. There haven't been checks here in use for 35 years now, at least, so when I visit the States, and buy groceries, I can't believe my eyes when I see people paying by check. Smart phone usage is so completely pervasive that you can't even buy a subway ticket with cash. Barely 1 percent of all financial transactions here are done in cash, though we are advised to keep a thousand dollars on hand, in case All banking is done digitally, by phone or computer, and has been like this for 20 some years. In 2003, we were doing pre-production on a film that had a bank-robbing scene. Well, even then, in 2003, there were no bricks and mortars banks. We had to build a set! So all this I guess depends on how far you go in each society. Luckily, we are now going back to books in schools grades 1 - 10, but I fear going back to pre-digital times is mostly wishful thinking.
What an hypnotising and raw voice, damn. The sheer honesty in this is refreshing. Thank you.
Dang. I remember being able to touch my toes. Ah! Those were the days. Thank you, as always, for the imagery you unfailingly fill my head with anytime you share your art(s) with us. You are both treasure and treasured. 🙏🏼 💜 🙏🏼
Hope you are able to — easily & simply — create a restorative environment for yourself now, if not already. Be well 🫶🏼
Thank you for sharing this moving piece that deeply resonates @augustlamm!
Brave soul you are. I’m 73 years old and feel the destructive effects of texting and scrolling endlessly on YouTube.
I’m not even on Facebook or Instagram.
Such a waste and so addictive.
Be strong.
Thank you, August, for sharing your raw experience. Are we doomed to pine for simpler days, but only through technology?
It’s a memoir? I agree with her attempt to change the smart phone world. Thoughtfully written, yet sharing emotion. Powerful!
Thank you @augustlamm this really resonated. Very moving. A lot to learn.
What an ordeal! Ironic too. I pray you'll find a way out of this hole being connected has dug you into.
Modern living! Loved your insights on the weight and complexity of our tech lives
I found this article akin to reading a thriller book in the vein of "The French Connection." Ha, dating myself.
I've avoided these issues by never having used a notsosmart phone (unlike what some others have said in the comments, I don't consider my flip phone to be a dumb phone). My boss bitched at me once because I didn't have a notsosmart phone and hadn't seen an e-mail from a client over the weekend. I replied: We're architects, not ER doctors; you could pay for my to have a business notsosmart phone, but I'd turn it off every day at five o'clock, and wouldn't turn it on until the next day we're open. He never complained again. Now our office is closed and we all work from home. When I head upstairs from my office at five I don't touch the work computer until eight the next morning. I do get pissed with companies expect you to use a stupid phone (less typing with that description), specifically when traveling. I still manage, but they really love to punish those of us who don't comply, which is one big reason why my wife and I don't travel too much these days. It's easier to clean the house and let people come to see us!
Don't let tech rule your life, there are so many better things to do and see without it.
I looked you up on my iPad. You’re an attractive woman & a talented writer. Congratulations!
Good luck, getting that genie back in the bottle.