Charlie Magdaleno: Blog

  I'm someone who's grown up with a hesitation, a wariness if you will, of technology.  Not just because of what technology inherently represents, but because I'm not one who likes to jump on the bandwagon of a new fad or trend.  

  When I was in high school, for the longest time I didn't have a cell phone, and it was actually something I sort of took pride in.  I used MySpace primarily for music at first, and didn't really want to jump into another social network called Facebook.

  Oddly enough however, I'm also the kind of person that once I'm into something, I'M INTO IT.

  I not only have a cell phone now, I have a Droid, of all things- which I can't not look at for more than three minutes a time.  

  I've sort of phased out MySpace, but I've got Facebook and Twitter accounts which I'm getting more and more dedicated to every day.

  Of course, I'm also now one of a bajillion "bloggers" out there who's sense of self-importance has grown so vast that I think anyone actually cares about what I have to say outside of 140 characters, if even that.

However, while giving my eyes a rest from tiny jet black text against a glaring screen, I was able to give some thought to the nature of such technological advancements, and whether or not they're actually as great as they seem.

  Really, technology and these social network applications, are meant to make our lives easier and keep us more connected; which, in all honesty, they do.

  For those with long commutes, it's considerably easier to make that trip in a car than it would be to walk, especially in peak weather conditions.  

  Also, I have to admit that I talk to more people, have learned more about people, and can express myself more easily than I have or could have without things like Facebook, Tumblr, etc.

  Still, I cannot honestly say that all of this technology has made my life BETTER.

  Easier, yes, but better?  I don't really think so.

  If anything, it's made me even more neurotic and ego-centric than I already was.  

  If I "like" somebody's status and include some "witty" comment  along with it and they don't reply in less than 2 minutes, I suddenly think they hate me.

  Maybe they don't hate me.  Maybe they're just actually out living life while I'm refreshing my browser every 15 seconds to see if there's any more "news" in my Live Feed.

  In addition, technology has also bolstered my already-great capacity for laziness and impatience.

  I could be "starving" but dammit, if my meal can't be defrosted and ready to serve on a microwave-safe plate in 30 seconds, or doesn't come in a paper bag with two golden arches on the side of it, I'm just not going to eat.

  Furthermore, my mind has to be stimulated constantly.  If I'm not reading or writing something on the computer, I'm watching T.V., or playing a video game, or drumming with my hands on a table top, or thinking of a song or a story idea, or anything really.  I don't know how to just "be."  I don't know how to relax and take it easy.

  Already while writing this blog, I've gone and distracted myself with a handful of other websites for no good reason other than the fact that I wasn't actually typing something in that moment.

  The quality of my life has not truly improved as a result of technology.

  The quality of my relationships actually has a negative correlation to the extent that which those relationships are cultivated online.  My strongest friendships are those in which I have spent and continue to spend actual physical time with the people in them.

  Also, while it is easier to get things done, because I can do so much more, the value of what I do diminishes.

  For example, let's say you have three dollars, and that's it.  Each one of those dollars now has incredible value to you.  If you lose one, that's roughly 33% of all of your resources gone.  Now, if you had 3 MILLION dollars, the value of each individual dollar is relatively obsolete.  

  Making the trek from the Spanish coast to the American coast is not the venture it once was.

  Getting in shape is not nearly as fulfilling and character building as it can be when you can just sit on the couch and watch Leno while a giant waistband sends electric shocks through your abs.  

  I don't appreciate a good steak as much as I would have if I had been the one to track, hunt down, take the life of, cut open, prepare, and cook the cow from which it came from.

  I could go on and on, but the point of the whole thing is that while technological advances make life simpler and quicker, it doesn't necessarily make our lives really any better or more significant.  Anything we do that is of any merit or accomplishment, is gonna take time; and it's gonna take work.  

  Wether it's a marriage, or a business proposal, it can be simple, but it won't be easy.  But if you can understand that, if you can fall in love with that notion, it can be incredible.

  Now I'm not trying to tell you to let go of all of your possessions and go live off in the woods somewhere, God knows I'm not going to- I'm no Thoreau.  I'm simply trying to suggest that you take technology for what it's worth and only use it to enhance or assist in your life- not BE your life.

  To serve as some examples, here's some ideas on how to help reduce the role technology plays in your life:

-No texting at the dinner table.  Or any table.  And unless you're in the car, take that damn thing off of your ear, you look like a yuppie cyborg.  If it's important, they'll call back.  And really, unless you have good reason to assume any call or text or BBM you get as being an emergency or in need of swift response, just try to enjoy the company that you are in.  When you talk to and spend time with the people whose physical vicinity you are in, some crazy, wonderful, and all-around memorable stuff can happen.

-Walk.  Anywhere.  It really doesn't matter where, just do it.  If you can just walk to one location and back ONCE a week; the environment, traffic, your peace of mind, and your cardiovascular system will thank you.

-Pay with cash.  I know, I know.  I'm dying to know about Julia Roberts' secret life, and who the ten best and worst beach bodies of the summer belong to also; but when you are actually watching dollars and cents leave your hand, you REALLY have to think about whether or not STAR magazine is worth 50% of your hourly wage.

-Write a letter.  You have no idea how much just getting something other than bills, credit card offers, and a Penny Saver in the mail can change somebody's life.  Most movies these days aren't worth waiting for, but a handwritten note in a paper envelope- worth every second.

-If you must use some form of texting or instant messaging, please do your best to refrain from using "lol" at the end of every message.  If you say something, mean it.  Just wait and see the response you get from sending "I love you lol" versus "I love you."  Whether it's love, hate, contempt, joy, sadness, or whatever, the things you say convey an emotion you feel towards someone or something, and "lol" just makes whatever you're saying a joke.  Trust that you and your conversational partner are big enough to not have to tip-toe around every facet of your lives.

-Take a break.  Don't always be so accessible.  Set parameters for yourself and for how and when people can get a hold of you.  It instantly gives talking with you more value, as well as gives the impression that you have something better to do- not to mention the time to actually have something better to do.

I'm making these suggestions to you not because they're things that I do, but because they're things that I DON'T do but I SHOULD.  I know I'm not the only one utterly wrapped up in the world wide web, and so I hope that by following these tips or taking something from this post as food for thought, we can all meet each other on the outside- literally.