So let’s take a snap poll. How many of you own any one of the following: a) smartphone b) laptop c) HDTV d) portable music device that isn’t a Walkman.
Congratulations! If you answereda, b or c, you’re entitled to a once-in-lifetime offer “ an audio cassette ofyour choice! You can even avail of afree set of earphones (not unlike the ones several airlines used to freelyoffer on flights in the late 80s, especially handy when listening to music on aportable device). Well done! And, if for some reason you answered d) you willbe put back into the same time machine you came from and sent to 1989.
Isn’t it funny how attachedwe’ve become to our gadgets and devices? Currently, I’m writing this on mylaptop while listening to my iPod and fiddling with my Blackberry. Not tomention checking my email (on two devices), viewing images on Instagram and Pinterest,checking my social network updates and reading The Onion.
So what’s changed? Well, alot.
I don’t feel as productiveas I used to. I keep getting pinged, beeped and e-mailed. I suddenly findmyself in this ‘other’ world where people who I knew 10 years ago want to makeme their friends online; where people I hardly know ask me how I am. I don’t even know how I am right now…it’s not something Iconstantly think of. In fact, just thinking about it makes me feel, well, depressed.So there’s your answer.
So what are all thesegadgets actually doing to us?
In some ways, they’ve mademe want to do more (the inclination) but I end up doing much less (theactuality). Text over talk, press shuffle or create playlist and poke insteadof type. But then again, don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I yearn for the daysof snail mail or fax machines. Not at all. I’m just wondering when did it allgo so far to this side? And can we justmove back a little to middle? Or is that asking too much?
I’ll get back to you. Just assoon as I check my e-mail and status updates…
Rahul Ahmadis Editor - thegoan.net. This is histake on technology, culture, general banter and brain food.
