Unplug

I came across an article in Ethix magazine once, by a woman named Rosie Perera, a former software designer. There’s a quote in it I lifted from the article and copied into my Commonplace Book, and I’ll reproduce it here for you: “German philosopher Martin Heidegger writes that humans are so immersed in technology that we are rarely even aware that we have a relationship to it that affects us… taking time away from technology on a regular basis can help transform the way we relate to it and can bring life back into focus.”

I find this quote very interesting, and I’m going to suggest a little exercise you can try out if you like. After you’re done reading this blog, close your browser windows and turn off your computer or smartphone. Now turn off your radio. Now turn off your television. Now just sit there for a while.

You don’t have to get extreme and turn off the lights or unplug every electrical appliance in your home, but just spend a good portion of time disconnected from the World Wide Web. Just sit there, and look around, and see what you notice. Maybe you’ll get bored or anxious after a while, if you’re in a habit of being hyper-connected to technology. That’s okay, just stay and sit with your feelings. Really pay attention to them, and look at your real surroundings, too. Maybe go for a walk, or cuddle your pets, or talk with someone–in person, not on the phone. Really appreciate the pets and the people and your home and everything around you.

The first thing you may notice is the quiet. God, it’s beautiful.

I think this is very healthy to do on a regular basis. So get right to it. Don’t check Facebook one more time; the notifications will still be there when you come back. And maybe when you do come back, you’ll have lots of wonderful stories about the real world to share with the rest of us who are still locked in the virtual reality of this computer screen you’re looking at right now.