Virtual Dilemma - Part 2 (A.K.A. - She Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth)

From the blog of a yoga teacher I really like. THIS is EXACTLY how I'm feeling about technology!

The Technology of Heart



So I finally broke down and bought the Droid…Verizon's answer to Mac's iPhone. I felt like with the extra responsibilities and traveling more these days it was important to be able to send and receive emails on my cell. And it has this great keyboard to text my sister faster. I can take awesome photos, play Tetris or other boredom free apps. I can get directions to Sushi Roku, Santa Monica in seconds and use Google sky map to track the exact stars right above my head.

As I traveled last month to Los Angeles with it I noticed I'm hardly the only one. Everyone had their heads down engrossed in some sort of device. No need to say a word to anyone, my phone knows everything. Directions, gate changes, status updates. My life has been sized down to a hand device that takes care of everything. With a signature scroll the whole world is at my fingertips. 



And yet the world - the one that actually shifts and thrives around me is ignored. And I kinda miss talking to the random guy on the rental car shuttle. Good ole' small talk and connection with live beings. Before cell phones you actually paid attention to who was boarding your flight. You smiled at the little girl waving at the planes; interacted with your fellow humans, looked out for each other. 



And so while I suppose my Droid is here to stay, I'm deeply conflicted with the purchase. Aren't I now contributing to the further demise of humanity? Aren't I now cutting myself off from the world and my experience of it? Can I not just look up in the sky and guess which star is where? Because with or without the convenience your unique human experience cannot be replaced. Life happens whether you log on or not. And yes internet and technology is amazing, and does connect us - in endless ways. 



But with my Droid in my pocket this flight to New York I am reminded to connect to heart. To turn my head and notice the woman next to me in stunning blue; drinking her coffee and eating Ritz crackers. I am reminded to smile at her, even for a moment-and say hi.