New month and I feel like giving this blog a new look, complete overhaul. If only it didn't take so much time.
I also feel like focusing more on painting and sliding away from the total dominance of the computer. It does dominate, you know.
I can't walk into this back room without being commanded by the slim snazzy white-bordered blue-screened gadget-filled creature on my desk to sit down and give it my undivided attention. If it could stamp its foot it would and if it could bark or miaow or emit shrill baby-like wailing it would.
Have we become slaves to our machines? I love the internet and the blogosphere and I love my computer with its seductive charm and all the toys it offers me. But sometimes I want to smash its smooth face and declare my independence. After all, I existed before it came into my life and have no reason to believe I would not exist were it to disappear from my life. Well, that's a bit radical. I don't really want it to disappear, no. Just take a back seat, be passive and obedient, don't try to rise above its station and don't speak unless spoken to.
4 comments:
Hi Natalie,
My name is Tia and I'm an editor at OpposingViews.com, the debate website. Since we both cover technology issues, I thought I'd drop you a note. I would've e-mailed you but I couldn't find an address.
See, we're currently having a discussion about whether or not the Internet should be free. You can see it here:
http://www.opposingviews.com/questions/should-the-internet-be-free
Although vetted experts are the ones doing the debating, anyone can contribute by choosing a side and posting comments about the experts' arguments.
Check it out and, if you have the time, let me know what you think at tia@opposingviews.com Thanks!
I can relate to your feelings about your computer! I find things on the net I find inspiring and thought provoking and I wouldn't choose to be without it - or the blogosphere. However, what I don't like is the way its hard to walk away from it when it's not being inspiring or interesting. There is something absorbing about the comforting glow of a flat screen which can hold you there... I'll just have a look at this or that... Minutes pass like seconds... Sometimes I think I should put a kitchen timer next to it. I could set it, and when it rings, I could get up and walk away.
Hi Tia, I don't really cover technology issues on my blog, as you can see if you browse through it. But thanks for coming by and good wishes for your site. Sorry not to take part in the debate but there's just too much else to do.
Dominic, you're certainly right about the hypnotic power of the glowing screen to hold one immobile (like rabbit caught in headlights). A kitchen timer sounds like a good idea, or maybe a recorded message reminding one that there's life beyond the screen?
A quick search of the net reveals a lot of free downloadable software for alarm clocks/timers. I might experiment...
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