We use technology and media outlets so much, when we are asked to analyze just how much we use it, it is shocking and maybe even disturbing. I try to think back to a time when I didn’t even use text messaging or when I first started using text messaging, but I can’t really remember it that well. As I consider my technology and media use daily, it becomes clear that we have become so dependent on it, and it sometimes causes us to miss out on real life experiences we take for granted.
Usually, I wake up in the morning and check my phone for any texts, e-mails, or messages. While I get ready for the day I sometimes listen to my music via my iPod or iTunes. When I enter the kitchen, my roommate usually has on the news and weather. I listen while I make my coffee and then join her to watch it before we leave. On my way to school or my internship I listen to my iPod on the bus and subway. At school, the only technology I use is my phone. I check it in between, and sometimes during, classes. Sometimes I use the internet on my Blackberry to check my Facebook page. I text throughout the day for various reasons, like to keep in touch with someone about school activities, to ask someone a question, to tell a friend something or just to say “hi”. I am usually busy and running around, so I don’t really text or use my phone because I’m bored. I have three night classes, so usually when I get home from school I watch some television with my roommates and then go to sleep. The days I go to my internship, I do a lot of research so I am using the internet and usually on the computer for most of the day, doing my work. Sometimes people have music playing, and people are taking and making phone calls around the office.
On Wednesdays I don’t have class or my internship, so I use that day to catch up on school work and on the media. I usually sleep later than the other days so when I wake up I might watch some television shows. Then I use my laptop for any school work I need to do. I also use it to keep up on the things I like. I might go on iTunes and look up new songs or artists, I usually check my Facebook and my e-mails, and maybe look on YouTube. If I have to go anywhere, I usually listen to my iPod while traveling. Then later on in the day, I probably watch some television and maybe go on my laptop again.
I notice that on my days off, I use more technology and media. When I am running around between classes and my internship I don’t have as much time, and on those days there are times I don’t even open my laptop all day. But, I always have my phone with me. I send and receive texts throughout the day to various people, but on the days I am busy it is sometimes hard to have an ongoing conversation because I might not be able to answer right away and vice versa. I am glad my Blackberry has internet though, because I am able to look things up on the internet if I need to, or check my Facebook or e-mail without using a computer or laptop. However, I do notice, not only with myself, but with others that we engage more in our technology than with real people. We are holding a face-to-face conversation with someone, but we are looking at our phones. I also see this in public, in restaurants and such, people are on their phones, but they are sitting around a table of real people. Sometimes this really upsets me and I try not to do that. If I am talking to someone and my phone goes off I ignore it until our conversation is over. I hope that we can try to stop getting so carried away with our gadgets, but it seems almost impossible with the continuous and constant release of new technology around us.
