1/4 Rushkoff- Takeaways

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Image by Insiteful Solutions










After reading Rushkoff, chapter one, I realized how much I miss the days when I wasn't glued to my iphone and my computer screen. The only thing I used my cellphone for was to call my family and friends. Before the advent of facebook and instagram, I had nothing to do with social media. I didn't care if anyone knew what I was up to, whether they liked my posts, or what was on the internet save research for school. All of my calendars and to do lists were on paper; and, I barely listened to music except when in the car with my mom. I had no streaming services for television shows. The idea that email and voicemails awaited reading and hearing at my house, rather than constantly buzzing in my pocket, allowed for a much more productive yet relaxed day. I did more activities outside and got my work done faster because of a lack of intense distractions. Like Rushkoff stated, my "nervous system [is now] attatched to the entire online universe, all the time". When I leave my phone home by accident, I'm so relieved because I'm not constantly worrying about messages, hopes that I'm being contacted by particular people, notifications on posts, packages being delivered, or potential assignments.

Rushkoff mentions the fact that technology has allowed us to "outsource" our memories and skillsets. And yet, I do nothing to change this issue. I allow it to happen daily for an ever increasing amount of skills. I no longer add, multiply, subtract, or divide by myself- that's what my calculator is for. When I go anywhere, whether it's too the grocery store, classes, a friend's house, or the doctor's office, I rely on the gps on my phone to get me there. Even when I've learned how to get somewhere and have memorized the directions, I feel better knowing that if there's a roadblock, my phone can navigate me a different way. I no longer have to figure it out myself using common sense. I almost never remember recipes, my to do lists, passwords, or things I've learned in school after a certain period of time. I tell myself it's ok to forget- I can always "google" lost knowledge.  When techonology is in my grasp- I'm completely reliant on it. However, when I try to get places without gps, do math, and remember upcoming tasks- I can do it. I don't actually need my phone or my computer. I have become accustomed to this nervousness, reliance and addiction to the internet over time.  I didn't start, really, until the 9th grade in 2009 when my parents bought me my first iphone. What scares me the most is seeing 7 and 8 year olds with cell phones and ipads at camp and in school. While I rely on tech now, I have lived without it.  Kids born around 2007 (year of the first iphone release) will have no concept of thinking for themselves, without the reliance and convenience technology affords.

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