. . . I'm intrigued by the Weekend Luddite idea. I spend vast amounts of time online, and tell myself it's OK, because after all, there's nothing else I HAVE to do. The bills are paid, I've been to the dentist and the bank - why shouldn't I spend my time online? Why is it any worse (or better) than watching TV or reading? And yet, I can't help feeling I'd be better off spending less time online.
I'd like to try the following adaptation: Checking email no more than twice in any eight-hour period. I'll still send and receive the same number of emails, but I'm hoping that by sitting down in front of the screen on only six occasions a day, I'll fritter away less time (and maybe my neck and shoulders won't ache, either).
I don't want to be away from the bulletin board much during the next three weeks, as I know I'll need help with NoSing; nonetheless, here goes: between now (11:15 am) and 8 pm tonight, I will check email only twice. This is unheard of for me, partly because I live in a 500 square foot apartment, so am always right near the computer.
Judith
Not sure if this is the right place to post, but . . .
- gratefuldeb67
- Posts: 6256
- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:26 pm
- Location: Great Neck, NY
Judith,
I think the trick is, when you're online make sure you know why. Aimless web surfing is only marginally better than tv channel surfing, and since there are an infinite number of websites to surf so it sucks up much more time. Keeping myself away from the computer on weekends forces me to be make more effective, intentional use of my computer time during the week. In a way, it's very pro-technology: by making less use of technology you're compelled to make better use of it.
That being said, the details are tricky to get right, and probably vary greatly from person to person. I've made more failed resolutions regarding web surfing than any other habit. After much trial and error, weekend luddite stuck, but it's also made me aware how much more could be done. It seems like such a small, unimportant problem, and it's so easy to disguise as something virtuous, but the stakes really are high: a big and increasing chunk of our lives wasted. Not quite as dramatic and flashy as sickness or crime, but an evil nonetheless.
Reinhard
I think the trick is, when you're online make sure you know why. Aimless web surfing is only marginally better than tv channel surfing, and since there are an infinite number of websites to surf so it sucks up much more time. Keeping myself away from the computer on weekends forces me to be make more effective, intentional use of my computer time during the week. In a way, it's very pro-technology: by making less use of technology you're compelled to make better use of it.
That being said, the details are tricky to get right, and probably vary greatly from person to person. I've made more failed resolutions regarding web surfing than any other habit. After much trial and error, weekend luddite stuck, but it's also made me aware how much more could be done. It seems like such a small, unimportant problem, and it's so easy to disguise as something virtuous, but the stakes really are high: a big and increasing chunk of our lives wasted. Not quite as dramatic and flashy as sickness or crime, but an evil nonetheless.
Reinhard