Technology Suckz
2/13/20
Hi guys,
A few hours ago I deleted all of the social media apps off of my phone. I don’t know what will come of it or how long they will be gone, but for now, that is the update! I will let you guys know my experience with that in the next few weeks.
I have been increasingly envious of generations that grew up without technology lately. I miss so many things about my world before the iPhone existed. I would have loved to be in the generation where people knew how to partner dance and weren’t afraid to approach each other. OMG it’d be the greatest time.
I am taking a class this semester at the Tennessee Women’s Prison. We cannot take in phones or electronics with us so the entire course is taught live and in person. When we give speeches, everyone listens. When the teacher tells us to take notes, we dictate carefully. We have to write on physical paper and remember the assignment after class ends because it isn’t sitting on the online portal.
It sounds silly, but I forgot what that was like. Not having a powerpoint, a laptop, a phone buzzing next to me with a million notifications for the entire period, being able to pay no attention and still see what the assignment was after class ends.
It’s similar with a GPS- I haven’t gotten lost in a long time. I almost miss the feeling of it; taking a wrong turn, having to use my own reasoning skills to find my way back, holding a map quest in my hands, having to stop at a gas station and ask for help from a physical human being.
I miss having things to hold in my hands like a CD, a letter that someone wrote to me, a journal that isn’t in my phone, an actual textbook instead of an ebook, printed pictures. I also hate how we are all so busy that I often have to plan weeks in advance just to grab coffee for an hour with someone.
Also- I hate texting. Especially in any form of romantic relationship. I think it hinders a lot of things, stirs up anxiety, and makes both people feel trapped. It’s just one more thing that makes you feel like you are all access and takes away your privacy. It’s like if you don’t check in all day long or at least a few times, something is wrong. If you don’t punctuate like normal, something is wrong. Everything gets taken the wrong way. In general, it is a horrible form of communication with the exception of a quick update when you can’t take their call or are in a quiet place.
I could keep going, but I think you get the point. And so I’ve decided that today I will share with you a few of the things I plan to do in the future to help combat this struggle in at least my own life.
When I am eating out with friends, doing any group activity, my phone will be either far removed from me or turned off.
In any romantic relationship I have in the future- No. Texting. Phone calls and letters and notes only. I want to know someone face to face and have all important conversations that way. Texting to me should only be like I mentioned: a quick update, to find a time to meet in person, to save them a seat, to help them find me when we are meeting up, to ask what drink they’d like from Starbucks. Not even “goodmorning/goodnight/ily” messages. For me, I’d much rather have someone show up with a gum wrapper that has “I love you” scribbled on it than have a hundred “I love you” text messages I could scroll. I’d rather get a 30 second phone call or voicemail in the morning to tell me good morning than read a text.
I am going to only allow myself to use social media for three weeks out of every month. I plan to delete all of my apps for the other week so I can have space to breathe. I know that one week will not destroy any media marketing plans I have, signal distress to friends, or hurt my following. So I owe it to myself to reconnect with the physical world and not always be consumed by the virtual one.
I am going to do my very best to get outside, throw my football, play basketball, and get my friends to join me at least a few times a month.
I am going to start writing more letters to people. Even if I see them often or call them often. There is something much more personal and authentic in holding a piece of paper with someones one of a kind handwriting on it that they took the time to write down just for you. I want to be thoughtful and do more things that are meaningful like that.
I am going to stop feeling bad for the hundred text messages sitting on my phone that never go away. I am going to stop feeling bad for the unread messages on all of my accounts that I just can’t get to. I can’t make it all go away and I can’t keep up with everyone. So if you text or message me and don’t hear back, call me!
These are only a few things that come to the top of my head. I am sure as I pursue this journey of balancing virtual and physical life that I will find more methods and tricks. I will keep you all updated! I also encourage you to remember the value of relationships; people matter so much. We are all very disconnected from each other; you can drop someone like they never mattered by simply sending them a text if you want to. I don’t think this is healthy on the sending or receiving end; people aren’t disposable things or only around for our convenience. Let’s stop acting like that is the case.
I want real community in my life. Friends and family are the only reason I stayed in college, the only reason I never give up on my dreams, the only reason I am still living. So let’s dig in and remember to stop hiding behind our screens.
See you next week,
Lexi Cummings
