The Journal of Joe The Peacock. Yay.: Digital Fatigue

10.24.2009:

Digital Fatigue

11:15 PM

I don't have a clue if "Digital Fatigue" is a real term or not - and I can't be bothered to Google it, because if it isn't, then I am a fool for using made up terms, and if it is, then I am a thief for stealing it. So let's just let the term float around this post, like that butterfly you couldn't catch in the jar as a kid, but was still there in your company, as much "yours" as if it was in that jar. Fair?

Good.

Anyway, that's what I'm suffering from lately - Digital Fatigue. I'm sick of technology. I seriously can't stand to open Twitter or visit Facebook or turn on my Xbox or even use my iPod right now. I can't really explain it any better than this: for the first time in my adult life, the thought that technology's pendulum has begun to swing in the direction of harm has crept into my head.

I can't tell you how horrible the hives are when I hear someone who used to make fun of me for being so internet-inclined and device-savvy get excited about this brand new Pandora app they found for their iPhone. In fact, you can't go to dinner in any restaurant in the United States these days - from Waffle House to Per Se - without seeing someone with their nose in a mobile device... Even the servers.

Sure, the argument has been made before, with every single major advancement in technology. The telegraph would ruin letter writing. Radio would cause cancer. TV would wreck society (and of course, it has, but never in my years have I honestly considered society something that wasn't wrecked in the first place). And it's not that I see the internet or even technology in general as evil... I'm just plain tired of it. It's like the rest of the entire world finally caught on about this thing I and many other first-adopters had to fight like hell to not only build, but be respected for even using.

"You met that girl on the internet? She's probably psycho... Or a GUY! HAHAHAHAetc"

"You read that story on the internet? Can't possibly be true... Huh? What the hell is 'Reuters?'"

"You bought that over the internet? Aren't you afraid it'll break?"

"You chat with people on the internet? Don't you have a life?"

And now, everything's Twitter this and Facebook that and App Store those. Everyone I've ever known - even people in the 3rd grade - have the same level of access to me as my best friend Mike does on Facebook. I take no joy in discovery on the internet, or with development or digital design, because to me, the discovery is now gone. No matter where you look, someone's already there, planting a flag and pretending they're the ones who discovered it. And they're not... They just can't see the people standing 20 feet away on the same plot of digital land, because their attention is solely focused on their own individual standing in this social internet whatever.

Again, I'm not saying these are bad things. I'm just WORN. OUT. Pretty shitty timing for it, too, given that my new book releases in a week and 3 days.

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3 Comments:

SexCpotatoes said...: I know what you mean, Joe.

I'm getting rid of my cell phone just as soon as the second nephew is allowed to take over the line.

I hate the current fragmenting of what seems to be everyone's attention.

I'm making it a point to call out anyone I'm hanging out with who has to constantly check their twitter or carry on numerous texting conversations while we are supposed to be hanging out.

There will eventually be a move away from total 24/7 connectivity. I mean, who wants to be available to be bugged by that annoying acquaintance every hour of every day.

Personal time away from the internet, and interpersonal interaction will gain new importance in our lives.

We can chat endlessly and lol, and come up with endless internet funny on the spur of the moment, but at the same time, "just hanging out" will become more sacred, I think. Your friends will all turn off their cell phones so that they can concentrate on being fully present and live and laugh in the moment.

At least, that's what I hope is going to happen, and soon.; 10/25/2009 1:30 PM
CallieMo said...: Welcome to the club, Joe. Although I guess I technically was never a true member since I didn't do the full immersion type thing with the current gadgety cellphones and whatnot. Still, I don't do online gaming on our PS3 because of bad experiences with dickweeds back in the days of TFC and I don't (and never have) texted because I'd already gotten sick of that via IM'ing back in the day. Hell, I don't even think my cellphone WILL text, it's like 4 years old and the most basic of basic things. I don't even leave it on...it's for if I have an emergency and there's no regular phone around, not so that I can be making inane conversation with people while walking through the grocery store, or worse, conversing with someone whilst taking a dump in the ladies' room.

Last night I was just making fun of people who spend all their time texting their friends rather than actually SPENDING TIME IN PERSON (blasphemy!) It's all so superficial.

Anyway, come join me on my analog porch and we can snicker at those danged kids on their cellphones together.; 10/25/2009 5:34 PM
Anonymous said...: sounds like you need to get a tent, figure out where the nearest 100+ foot tall water fall is, score some acid and go on a camping trip.

double vision quest time.; 10/26/2009 10:11 AM

The Journal of Joe The Peacock. Yay.

10.24.2009:

Digital Fatigue

3 Comments:

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