THE TIMES OF well-being

[Guest guest]

DISCONNECTED IN A CONNECTED WORLD

 

Today we live in a technologically advanced era, wired to each other

with the help of technology. All around, there is a faster alternative

to what was ‘new to the market’ just last year. With such a fast-paced

life, being bombarded by technology, it is no wonder that many of us

from time to time lose perspective on our jobs, careers, relationships

- even our lives in general. The dominant presence of technology in

our lives is exciting and useful, but many people find that they are

being adversely impacted by this uncertain, increasingly fast-paced

and dynamic industry.

 

The fact that one CAN do business any time, any where, has come to

mean that one IS actually doing business all the time. When we go on a

vacation, our offices go with us. Emails, phone calls and office

documents float into hands, demanding attention at all hours of the

day. Vacations today simply mean connecting to the office from some

other location.

 

The other day I was at a seminar. During the ‘break’, I noticed people

hurriedly trying to get connected / hooked to whatever gadgets they

had, making phone calls and SMSing text messages. I began to ponder,

“Is this what break means?†What is it that people tend to miss when

they are away from their tech-world? What prompts them to constantly

keep track of their emails and watching at their computer screen? When

I sat back and reflected, it appeared that this might make one feel

important, wanted in some ways.

 

Have you ever realized that in the process of connecting with the

distant world, you get disconnected from your immediate surroundings:

Your colleagues, near and dear ones, the smell of flowers, the

chirping of birds!

 

You charge your cell phone; refill your printer’s cartridge, but what

about recharging yourself? What will happen if you didn’t check your

email for half an hour, did not answer the phone in the first go or

not at all?

 

In the past, we could leave the firm/office; head for home and not be

bludgeoned by emails, faxes and junk mail. There was a clear line

between the workplace and home, which does not exist today. With

technology and the conveniences of modern life, others access us when

they wish. It is increasingly hard to " switch off " , escape being " on

call " and succumbing to the pressure to be available 24/7.

 

The very accessibility of the net, and its seductive pull, creates

danger for us. Because we interact with it, we seem to be in control

of it, and yet it " leads us on " , with its immediacy and mesmeric power

of access to an apparently infinite flow of people, places and

information.

 

I shall close this article with a few questions for you to ponder on:

 

· Are we crippling ourselves with our easy lifestyles?

· Is Technology Working FOR US or AGAINST US?

· Are we in danger of losing something more precious than we're gaining?

· What can we do to be PHYSICALLY present with our families and friends?

· Try being without your phone for a few hours and evaluate your

feelings. Are you afraid that a loved one is in trouble or that

something bad will happen to you?

· Which types of information and source actually provide value to you?

Do you loose anything by not consuming that piece of information?

· Just because messages are waiting, you do not have to read them NOW.

One of the things that make us slave to technology is the expectations

by others that we will be connected, communicate, and respond quickly.

Who says that we need to be connected all the time? Just because it's

there at your disposal, doesn't mean you have to use it 24/7.

Remember, too much of anything is bad!†you were supposed to be

ASSISTED by these devices, not driven by them!

 

Thank God there is internet that helps me to share the Ebulletins

with you regularly and promptly!!

 

SOME ADVERSE EFFECTS OF TOO MUCH RELIANCE ON CONNECTIVITY

 

- Lose the human touch - the emotions, tone posture, gestures, eye

movements

- Reduced frustration tolerance

- Neglect people in favor of screen; social isolation

- Sleep & memory difficulties

- It keeps people apart-you are not together in the same place at the

same time.

- Less time to process / interpret the information

- Blocks out the outside world, and thus reinforce selfish behavior.

- The quality and subtlety of our exchanges are at a superficial level