I can't believe I'm actually advocating for this in a column about technology, but I think it would be a good idea for some people to take a break from their various gadgets and gizmos.
Yeah me, the guy who can't wait for scientists to figure out a way to plug the Internet directly into my brain I want people to use less technology.
This new and totally foreign thought began to form while on a recent vacation with my wife where (upon threat of a severe beating followed by a stern talking to while I lay bleeding on the floor) I was forced to spend five days completely "unplugged."
No, that didn't mean I spent the week playing acoustic guitar, but rather I went without a laptop, and my iPhone was turned off the whole time. I wasn't even allowed to use the complimentary Internet in the lobby!
Once the shakes and sweats from the lack of shooting zombies and aliens abated, I actually forgot about the online world, and any digital existence I had.
I also started noticing that people were on their phones or electronic devices way too much.
I saw people sitting on the beach suntanning while texting all day long leaving the interesting tan lines of outstretched hands and a mobile phone on their chests in the process, undoubtedly. I also saw people out on the ocean on surfboards with their phones.
"Sorry, have to put you on hold while I catch this epic wave, dude."
Upon my return home, I couldn't get over the number of drivers I encountered who were yakking on their phones - despite it being not only dangerous, but against the law. I was driving in downtown Vancouver last week and it took the person in front of me about five minutes to negotiate a right turn at a light because he was having a chat and didn't want to use both hands to, y'know DRIVE!
The final straw came when my nine-year-old daughter asked to go outside on a beautiful, bright, sunny day and play with her two friends. When I went out to bring the young ladies a snack, I discovered all three, sitting on a blanket in the shade texting on their iPods. The absurd thing was they were texting each other!
In my daughter's case, I take full responsibility for engendering an unhealthy love of video games and geeky gadgets. So, I've started limiting her time on her iPod, and begun actively telling her to put down the gadgets when she's spent too much time with her nose pressed against a screen.
I've also carried over my desire to be less connected from my vacation - even without further threats from my wife - and am trying to follow my own advice and put the gizmos down more often and spend less time online.
Technology, in all its forms, is great. Really great, in fact. Really, really, totally awesome and justum, great. And awesome.
But technology is supposed to enhance our lives, not take away from living it.
So, I'm just asking that you be more mindful of the time you and your kids spend online and on your iPhones, iPods and various smart devices.
While you mull that over, I'll go kill a few zombies and aliens but only a few.
