A Love-Hate Relationship

I'm not ashamed to admit that I have a love-hate relationship with technology, there's no middle ground for me! I love the ability to quickly and efficiently communicate through e-mail and reconnect with old friends via social media. I hate the frustrating feeling that overwhelms me when my computer is down, slow or off-line. I do not text, I do not have a smart phone. After a recent almost-death plunge into the commode for my early model flip-phone I realize one needs to be smart to have a phone that is smart. Honestly, I don't feel like I am missing a thing.

Technology, used in excess, can have detrimental emotional and physical repercussions. A recent news story on television followed two families with young teens who embarked upon an experiment with a technology-free week. One thirteen year old girl cried from her tight fetal position on the floor, in a corner, as she endured withdrawal symptoms, she felt isolated from and abandoned by her friends. Nothing prevented her from getting up, going out, and spending physical time with them! The same news story cited the fact that women are heavier than they were thirty years ago and blamed technology for the fact that these women don't do as much housework: cooking, cleaning and laundry. Really? That time for chores has been completely replaced by the computer? I'm not convinced that is the only reason but I'll go along with it being a contributing factor. The anchor of the news show admitted that he and his wife and children couldn't make it through a family meal without their phones, he confessed that he wasn't proud of this fact but felt powerless to change the behavior. Wow.

In a recent sermon our Senior Pastor announced the addition of a Wednesday noontime prayer service during Lent. He addressed the subject of technology in the sanctuary and stressed the fact that he was not scolding, but rather, pleading with those who cannot be away from their phones, tablets and/or MP3 players for even an hour to remember that our sanctuary is just that. He even quoted Einstein: "I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.". This has all been food for thought nourishing my little mind. I love my e-reader, my I-pod and my laptop. I am writing this during my dedicated computer time; I'm in control and that's the key for me, technology doesn't dictate my schedule, and I hope it never does.

A recent visit to the doctor's office included some unexpected wait time in the exam room; a new computerized record-keeping system had been installed at the first of the year. My doctor was unable to log-in to chart some of my vital statistics; frustrated, he called in some tech help. A young man (he looked 15, but what do I know?) entered and confirmed the fact that the screen was, indeed, frozen! He suggested that the doctor try to log in from his office (adjacent to the exam room); the doctor was unable to do that since my "chart" was already opened!?! After that a parade of young men, and women, attempted to offer assistance while I sat on the examination table. I could literally feel the helpless frustration of my doctor; nearing retirement age, he was attempting adopt a spirit of cooperation with a system that had been thrust upon him, he was left feeling out of touch and definitely powerless to do anything but wait for someone else to come to his rescue. I could relate and sympathize. I prefer to control the technology that comes into my life, I'm certain that to some of you that makes me sound like a dinosaur; so be it. My children (and soon, my grandchildren) help me out when I need help, they're patient with me, I'm grateful. I really do love and embrace technology (when I don't hate it), as long as it's on my terms.

Life is Good!