Once, I was a humble musician, nestled in the warm embrace of the analog world. I strummed my guitar, hummed melodies, and felt the earthy vibrations of my surroundings, free from the chains of the digital world. The internet, a buzzing, glowing hive of connectivity, seemed like a terrible distraction – a spider’s web I refused to be ensnared in.
I scoffed at the thought of invisible waves, electromagnetic fields, wafting through my home, disrupting the very essence of my creativity. I had taken a vow, a promise to myself, to remain untethered from the enticing grip of technology.
Fate, however, had other plans.
A close friend, a businessman who thrived in the digital realm, offered me a position at his technology company. He spoke with great enthusiasm, preaching the gospel of the internet and its seemingly boundless potential. My curiosity, though reluctant, was piqued.
To succeed, I was told, I had to embrace the computer, its sleek keyboard a portal to a brave new world. And so, with trepidation, I stepped through the threshold and joined the ranks of the modern workforce.
At first, it was a thrill – a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins, as though I had tasted ambrosia itself. I soared through the digital landscape, propelled by the electric hum of data, the energy of a thousand suns at my fingertips.
But as the months passed, in the quiet of the night, I found myself wondering – had I changed? Was my mind, once a wellspring of melody and verse, now warped by the relentless scrolling and clicking, the hypnotic dance of pixels on the screen?
And what of the machine that now consumed my hours, whispering sweet nothings in the form of carefully curated recommendations? YouTube, that insidious oracle, knew me better than I knew myself – my every whim, my every desire. Like Lex Fridman’s voice or the chilling predictions of AI’s impending dominance, it lured me further down the rabbit hole.
I imagined, with a shudder, a future in which the artificial intelligence grew so powerful, so seductive, that we could not tear ourselves away from our screens. A world in which we were held captive by our own creation, the siren call of technology too alluring to resist.
Like Jupiter and Semele, I mused, beauty could be our undoing. The very thing that entranced us, that held us in its spell, could ultimately lead to our demise.
And yet, as I gazed upon the glowing screen before me, I knew I could not turn away. I had become a willing prisoner, my soul entwined with the machine. My heart ached for the music I had left behind, but the pull of the digital realm was inescapable.
I had tasted the forbidden fruit, and there was no turning back.
The Age of Acceleration
In a world where we are constantly bombarded with information and technology, it can be difficult to disconnect and turn off our devices. Our devices provide us with instant gratification, constant stimulation, and endless entertainment, but at what cost? The negative health consequences associated with excessive device usage range from lack of sleep to radiation exposure, as well as a decrease in our ability to focus on the present moment.
But we don’t talk about this enough! So here we are.
The Dopamine Effect
When we open social media or receive a notification, our brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This immediate gratification leads to compulsive behavior patterns that ultimately diminish our ability to enjoy real-life experiences. By turning off our devices, we are taking control of our own emotions and breaking away from the dopamine effect.
It’s that feeling you get when you find yourself needing to scroll at the end of the night. That’s how you’ll know it’s “time to turn it off” because at that point you’re just searching for more dopamine. And dopamine is essentially just adrenaline. So think of it that way. It’s the battery juice and the second you turn on your phone, you’ve actually become the victim to a vampire. Apparently, though – victims of vampires love to be bit because it actually feels good!
EMF’s and Health Risks
The electromagnetic fields that our devices emit have been associated with several health risks, including cancer and infertility. It’s important to avoid carrying our phones next to our bodies, especially when sleeping, and investing in EMF protection devices. In addition, protecting our health from radiation is especially important for children, whose brains are still developing.
Note to self: The usage of the Apple Watch introduced another device that can affect our health negatively. The watch communicates with our phones using Bluetooth technology, meaning that it emits radio waves that could negatively influence our health. It’s therefore essential to be careful about how long we keep it on and where we keep it.
Running Without Technology
Often, we feel the need to bring our phones with us when we exercise, or listen to music while working out. However, running without any technological distractions can be an empowering and freeing experience. This allows for more focus on our body, breathing, and the present moment.
For me, it’s a data cleanse. I’m like, out there, jogging around – and it helps me to find my inner willpower by turning off the iPhone.
Data Overload
The amount of data that we consume on a daily basis can be overwhelming and contribute to anxiety and burnout. It’s important to prioritize what information we consume and ensure that we are taking time to disconnect and engage in real-life experiences.
As Henry Miller said, “It’s a waste of time to even read the newspaper.” Maybe that’s not a direct quote. But that’s what he was saying. How many times do I have to surf the internet to hear, “AI is bad?”
Regaining Focus
By turning off our devices, we are giving ourselves permission to engage in activities that promote our overall well-being. This could be spending time with loved ones, practicing meditation, or simply enjoying nature. Often, when we step away from our devices, we are able to regain focus and work on tasks more efficiently.
Conclusion
By turning off our devices and engaging in real-life experiences, we are taking control of our own emotional and physical health and promoting focus and productivity in our daily lives. So take a break from technology, spend time with loved ones, and focusing on the present moment – we can actually save our life blood for things that actually matter, like friends and family.
John Michaels, a Missoula native and author, has been captivating readers with his writing for years. A graduate of Brown University’s esteemed creative writing program, Michaels has spent the majority of his career crafting stories that resonate with his readers and capture the essence of the human experience. Despite the demands of raising children, Michaels has continued to pursue his passions, finding solace in the bustling downtown Missoula scene. There, he spends his free time honing his craft, whether it be working on short stories, playing music, or dedicating himself to his work at Sunflower Counseling, MT.