I'll admit it... I am a victim of my generation. But here's the kicker: I'm okay with it!
Oh, don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about. I am 23 years old and my generation, along with my students' generation, is constantly being chastised for relying to heavily on technology and I'll admit it... I fit that bill.
When I leave town, whether it be for a week in NYC for BEA or for the weekend to visit the future in laws, I find that I always back the same things first:
Notice how they are all electronics! I mean before I even pack my clothes I have the electronics packed. Okay, so maybe I don't always take my GPS but still...
But with these electronics I must also pack their chargers:
But then there's also the matter of, what I call, the necessary evil electronics:
By the time I have all the electronics packed, I barely have room for an extra pair of shoes much less the appropriate amount of underwear (don't worry, I always find room). I mean, even to go to the grocery store I have my cellphone, camera, iPod and either a book or Sam the Nook.
Sometimes D looks at me a little like: "Do we really need all this?" And the truth of the matter is: YES! I can't think of a single thing I could leave behind! But do I ever get overwhelmed with technology — yes. I find myself thinking, "Reagan, you're a bit excessive. You don't need to be plugged in all the time."
I am. Plugged in. I have Twitter on my phone and my iTouch. I get emails to my iTouch and my phone. I have blog comments forwarded to both devices. Sometimes I do feel like I'm drowning in technology — but then I "unplug" for a few hours and I'm anxious to "get back."
What about you? Do you find yourself constantly plugged in? How do you deal with it?
You're Addicted to Technology if:
- You constantly check your phone/iPod device for texts, emails, tweets, blog comments when you are away from the computer.
- You can't wait to get off work to check your Google Reader
- Whenever the "newest" gadget comes out you can't wait to get your hands on it (iPad, NookColor, etc)
- You tweet while on the elliptical
- You tweet while reading
- You update GoodReads (or other such applications) while reading
- You find yourself spending less and less time with friends and family in order to comment on blogs and tweet
- You schedule your time with your online community in mind (I get up at 5:30 to go through my Reader, I go through Reader again after working out after school, and one more time before bed).
- The second highlight to finishing a book (other than actually finishing the book) is to update your blog, update the challenges, cross it off an electronic list, write your review, etc