Technology's Toll

When I first began trying to cut back on technology, I only stopped using it in public. I thought that this would be enough and that I would have more stories to tell this way, and while I do have more stories, it did not really have the effect I was hoping. I was still addicted to my computer and everything it brought me. I'd get home and start it up right away to make sure I hadn't missed anything in the little time I was gone. Then a few weeks ago my access to the computer was limited simply because I was really busy. This week I have had less to do, but I actually have not been on my computer. After realizing all the things I was missing by spending my days with my nose to the screen, I no longer craved the mindless enjoyment it could produce. 

As a child, I loved to read. My parents had to come in and tell me to go to sleep almost every night. At one point they even put a special lock on my lights so that I was unable to turn them on when the time came for sleep. Of course, I found ways around all this and the reading continued. But when I got my computer, the reading stopped and changed all together. For a long time, I stopped reading books and started reading Wikipedia articles or other things. I made friends online and spent hours every night talking to them through gmail chat. Eventually, one of my in person friends introduced me to the gaming videos on YouTube which eventually led to many subscriptions to gamers and various vloggers. At one point, I didn't even like most of the videos I was watching. I just needed something to do. 

My book collection suffered. I went from having advanced books for my age to only books from my childhood, far below my rising reading level. Why would I read and imagine the images when I could just find  video in which they are created for me? It's far less work. I stopped writing. Without reading to inspire me to create my own story, I didn't see a reason to. Not to mention that the short, 3-15 minute videos I had been watching had lowered my attention span immensely. I no longer had the capacity to write even when I was inspired. It was too hard. So I stopped. 

Last week, I read. I finished a book called Ready Player One for my college summer reading. Without that assignment, I may not be reading today. It was an amazing book and brought back all of the wonderful memories from when I used to read. When I finish a great book, I get a rush. I can't stop smiling for the next ten minutes and I walk around in a happy daze. If I finish a book right before I try to go to sleep... well I won't be sleeping for a while. This week I am reading Life of Pi. I had been meaning to read this book for a long time after seeing the movie, but never got around to it because I stopped reading. So far, I'm really enjoying it. 

Anyways, I know most people do not have the passion for reading I do. I do not by any means intend to say that technology has taken everyone away from books. Maybe there are some people who have mastered balancing books and technology like I am learning to do. However, I do think that technology has taken something more concrete away from all of us. Whatever it is will differ from person to person, but we all have something that we simply cannot do or achieve online; we need the real world. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to go back to my reading.