Connectivity, Reading/Writing, and the Cyber Age :: Technology Technological Essays

Connectivity, Reading/Writing, and the Cyber AgeI own a cell phone. And a desktop computer. And I carry this honest-to-goodness laptop roughly to all the coffee shops and bars in whose noise I canvas to drown verboten the mean little voices of writerly anxiety so I can just get my fucking home employ done. At work I use a touch screen ordering transcription to get my drinks from the bar and artichoke dip from the kitchen. I check my horoscope online (as swell up as those of the men Im interested in redden with shameJ,) stay in touch with friends via email, and use my colleges online services to recital for gradees. I do a great deal of my research for class via the electronic databases Eastern Michigan maintains, I have a blog, Ive tried to get my poetry published at online literary magazines. With the help of a very patient friend, I even filed my federal taxes online this year. The profit and wireless technology make my animateness easier to move through quickly. I am gra teful. But somewhat ashamed. In the same trend that I feel guilty every conviction I drive the old pollution-mobile a mile and a half to work, using all this high-velocity information technology feels like being seduced away from my principles by the inveigle of ease. I believe in slowness. I love speed. Its a difficulty. I am not the only person struggling with the fight between the speed modern spiritedness demands and that at which actual life happens. Womens magazines are full of tips on organizing the kitchen, the carpool, the craft supplies, so that more than prison term can be found for the important things in lifehanging out with the kids, spending clipping with parents, maybe even having charge up with partners. Advertising companies pitch scads of products as time-savers, from meals-in-a-bag to blocks of cleanser that clean the chiffonier with every flush. All my friends complain about not having enough time to get everything done. My girlfriend who is working on her PHD and Masters degrees at the same time doesnt have enough time to envision her lover and spend time with her m new(prenominal) in the nursing home. My other dear girlfriend with two fabulous kids, a husband thats out of this world, a house, two cars, and two jobs doesnt have enough time for anything. Most of my men friends dont have enough time to work their jobs, take care of their bodies, support their ladyfriends in whatever way and still know what theyre feeling from moment to moment.