I recently took a week long vacation to Palmas, a city next to palm springs. I went with my family and was told to pack light. I brought clothes, and books. This was meant to be a family vacation focused on relaxing and doing family activities. I was the only one who didn't bring an iPod, computer, or Phone. My cousin planned on getting through her school work, yet every time she logged onto her computer she would become distracted by Facebook or Tumblr. I caught her reading an article one day, and when i asked what it was about she couldn't even tell me.
After i got back i realized how bad technology really does affect us. My cousin didn't get one assignment done because of her distractions, while i was able to finish my entire book. After finishing i realized that what had happened to Carr and his inability to focus had begun to happen to me. Its hard to sit down and read books, and trying to get an assignment online done? Forget it!
So I've decided to make a more conscious effort to put everything away and read. Once you get rid of the distractions you can lose yourself in a book. How about you guys? Have you had the same problems or are you still able to immerse yourself in a book with ease? I think that after reading Carrs book we should all make more of an effort to stop reading posts, or tweets and start reading classic novels. Once you get yourself lost in a book you really can open yourself up to a whole new level of enrichment
i agree! it is refreshing to take some time off of all this technology and have time with our selves. it seems so much more intimate when its you and a book, a guitar, or even just a piece of paper, rather than you and a computer. There is no more intimacy when we are with a computer. A computer is not just one accompaniment, but is millions, the whole world actually!
ReplyDeleteHowever, since i'm such a complete computer zombie, it was really hard to let go. My mom threatened to take my computer away once and i literally screamed in horror. But once i took the initiative to wake up, work on myself and do some of my old personal hobbies, my days became much more productive.
I think technology is really important and one of my most loved hobbies, but i am reminded how i can do much more on my own too. It gave me a lot of confidence actually. I recommend that we all take some time off of it!
I really couldn't agree more. Usually I have to read late at night so I have no distractions around me, its hard to stay off the computer! Like Bianca said "computer zombie" would be an accurate description of me. I think if we were to escape from the computer we would be able to accomplish so much. But then again everything seems to revolve around technology, computers, etc. Theres no escape!
ReplyDeleteI've had the same problems. Every time I would try to read I would get distracted by both my computer or my television. The only time I can really read is during the night since there are usually no distractions late night. Still I find it hard to not get distracted by technology and my surroundings while reading.
ReplyDeleteThis is remarkably true! Just to go back to a normal routine once in awhile without the television set and your computer is a really mind opening feeling. I feel that when I am on the computer and/or watching t.v. I become the most laziest person yet. I become more tired and my eyes feel incredibly strained. I really really miss the feeling of reading through a book and being engulfed right into without any distractions. I miss enjoying reading just because I had the motive to do so, but now as Eric said that everything seems to revolve around technology, it is difficult to bring those motives back. I really want to make the effort to just leave the internet and stop watching t.v. for a good month just to see what I can accomplish. Just to get those motives and productiveness back in my system, and to know that my life is not dominated by the computer or t.v.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with everyone. I am so focused on technology that I barely even get to read books anymore. (Mostly only when I need to make the time to read, like for school.) Before, on weekends, my family and I would play cards and board games, or read with each other after dinner, but now all we do is watch t.v. It is even hard for me to read sometimes even though I don't have my computer, ipod, or phone near me. I get easily destracted. Like Postman said, It feels like the more I use technology, the easier it is for me to get distracted. I used to wish that things were the way that they used to be, without computers...but then I would be missing a lot more than books.
ReplyDeleteI find that even without all the technological distractions, I still find myself distracted. When I find an empty room, free from computers, televisions, or any other devices that could potentially divert my attention, I am still distracted. It's always too hot or too cold. Or I feel hungry or tired. My mind always seems to make excuses to manipulate me to leave that technology-free room. It's so frustrating, yet I fail to be anywhere without having my phone in sight. Whenever my Internet capriciously shuts down, I experience this temporary stage where I lose my sanity. Afterwards, I heal from the loss by moving onto my phone to fill the gap my internet had left. I do not appreciate having this kind of dependency on my modern devices, but I honestly can't help myself anymore. I depend on them for entertainment, homework, and communication. I've tried to immerse myself into a book, but after many failed attempts, I just can not. I can only be painfully forced into reading a forty chapter history textbook.
ReplyDeleteThis is very true! I have many problems concentrating on my own work due to the distractions technology gives me. When I work, I have a laptop, iPod, and a phone right next to me. Its very tempting and I get easily distracted. I even listen to music while I do my homework.
ReplyDeleteLike Ridhi, I also miss being able to sit down and read a book of my own choice for the whole day. With all this technology surrounding me, I find it very hard to concentrate and find a quiet place in my home. Throughout my whole house, almost every television is on all day. I wish that I had the motive to sit down and read again like I did in elementary school where I had no iPod, cell phone, or laptop, and when I was not even allowed to watch television! I was able to get my work done early and have time to read but now I feel that my life is revolved around technology.
I think everyone can agree in this as I am now. I can never do homework or even go online to do a simple look up before signing into facebook and checking what my friends are up to by the time I am done looking through facebook I forget what I had to do. Something’s I do now is unplug that the internet (if I don’t need it) put my phone and iPod in my room and sit in the dining table, it helps at times but when you have a sister in college that needs internet or is taking online courses its harder. I can’t even read a book without having my iPod next to me and a reading that may take 15 Minutes take up to 1 hour. It’s just all about self control and knowing what’s more important.
ReplyDeleteWow, this was a good post to read! I too, feel compelled to browse the internet instead of doing homework. Lately, I've been realizing the effects that technology has had on my studies, causing me to become distracted and putting off my work until the last minute. The most disturbing thing about technology is the fact that once you've started, it becomes difficult to stop. I believe that our lives our becoming so consumed with technology that we have begun to become one with it. The way we talk and think is starting to become more abbreviated and unorganized; similar to how the internet is. It becomes extremely hard to just sit down and read a book because of our decaying attention spans. We hear the television in the next room, and we run to give it our attention. Our society really needs to be the master of technology instead of letting technology be our master.
ReplyDeleteThis was a good post for me to read right now. I've been very distracted from my school work lately because of social networking and television and the other technology that takes over my life. I appreciate the motivation for me to focus more and attempt to be more productive. I know that I've always agreed that technology was getting in the way of my productivity, but hearing it from other people is better motivation for me to follow through with this belief.
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