Happy 2010, everyone! Hope you all enjoyed a fabulous holiday.
Just on the cusp of the new year, a friend sent me this article about a couple who was seriously taking it back to the land. They lived without running water in a yurt in Alaska. (Wi-fi, however, was deemed an essential resource). Some people found the whole idea incredibly annoying, but it stuck with me solely for the reminder that life–to varying degrees, depending on your circumstances–can be the adventure you’re brave enough to create for yourself. I’m no resolution maker, but I wondered if I was doing a good job in that department. I fantasized about yurt life for 48 hours, though I confess that I would vote for the water and ditch the internet, if it came down to it. My friend laughed and said that was silly–my head would surely explode if I was unplugged from my email for any serious length of time. I worried she was right.
Though I see how I may be blowing this out of proportion historically, as we blast into 2010, do you consider/worry about how communications technology is shaping your life as things move from novelty to status quo? After a day of endless emails and the writing of small ideas and the consumption of 200 blog posts, I can’t help but roughly tally up the time/mental drain and think about how that same chunk may have been applied to other ends. What is happening to my brain and my output? Is this much information a stimulant or a mind-numbing distraction? Do I want to go further down this rabbit hole, or retreat to the dark (or at least non-pixelated) ages before anything like interactive TV watching touches my life?
My thinking was further poked at (and somewhat steadied) by Michael Agger’s evenhanded consideration of the ideas in Jaron Lanier’s new book You Are Not A Gadget. The review read like a call to not freak out and run backwards, but take a second and reflect on where exactly we’re going with all these magical toys (and what they may take from us) as we move forward. We can blow an hour of the day absorbing the mix and mash, but what have we gained and how much has it truly cost us? I, for one, feel like I could use a time out, though I’m honestly not sure if getting off the ride to re-evaluate would do anything but leave me in the dust.
UPDATE: Feeling more optimistic.
I have almost this exact struggle almost everyday. I grew up in the northwest and often fantasize about a relatively secluded life out there, away from the city and the internet and, well, life. (if you read this Mr. McLennan I am jealous, jealous, jealous!)
Trying to balance the a day job, life as a composer, attending concerts, working on other personal projects, updating facebook and twitter, reading the news and blogs… it’s hard.
Of course, how long would I last without any one of those things? When I’m at home composing I frequently need to literally turn off my internet connection – not just close the browser and email – actually turn off my connection… otherwise I’m endlessly distracted and can’t focus.
Like you said, “getting off the ride” vs. “being left in the dust” is a hard one to reconcile.
Indeed! And I realize I write this post pretty much once every three months, so I apologize for my broken record imitation, but I think this will be a serious point of conversation going forward and writing about it helps me wrap my brain around the ideas and argue with myself (and a few awesome commenters–whoop!), so thanks for playing.–MS