Digital Technology Fast

In our world today we are constantly surrounded by technology. We use laptops to surf the web, do our homework, check social media websites, and many more other uses. From our cell phones we can gather news instantaneously. We are constantly using digital technology through every facet of our life. For two days I tried to do the impossible. I attempted go without technology for two full days.

This test was both a failure and a success at the same time. It was a success because I was able to make it through two days without technology. I was able to prove to myself that I was capable.  Also, it showed me through all the little things how important digital technology is to me.

It was a failure because it showed how dependent I am on technology. In this sense I felt somewhat ashamed of how much of a struggle this fast was for me. It proved how essential technology is to my life.

One thing I noticed was that technology wasn’t as much of a problem during class. I prefer not to type notes or use my laptop during class. So that did not pose a major issue. It was after class on that seemed to pose the most trouble.

Upon completing my homework around 5 p.m., I was faced with too much free time on my hands. Usually I would surf the web or catch up on a television show on Netflix. Unfortunately under these circumstances this was not possible. What ended up happening was that I tried unsuccessfully to read a book. This did not help in slightest for me, as I was unable to focus. My mind was unable to focus on reading at this point in time. I was thinking of a million different things, which didn’t help. I knew there was no way I was going to sit down and read a book right now.

After about three or four hours of trying to read or do anything productive I called it a night and attempted to go to sleep. Then another problem came up. Every night I listen to a radio podcast to put me to sleep. While this may seem odd it proved to be difficult to go to sleep without it. It usually takes me twenty minutes at the most to fall asleep. It took me what felt like hours to fall asleep.

While the first day of the technology fast was similar to hell for me, the second day proved to be much easier to deal with. On my second day I was a much busier person. I start class at around 8 at and end at 5. This provided very little time for me to use technology. The only awkward part for me was using the trains without any music whatsoever. It was such a daily routine that it just felt odd for it to be taken away. Other than that I’d say that the second day of the fast wasn’t as heart wrenching as the first day.

In the end what did I learn? I learned that I’m not entirely co-dependent with technology. I co-exist with digital technology. I need it for so many things of my life. I read a lot of the news and articles on the web. I use it to go to sleep and pass on the train and walking. I use a recorder on my phone when working on a story for a newspaper.

This fast re-affirmed to me how important and essential technology is to me. It was such an essential part of my life that while it was nice to have a break I cannot live without it.