Technology – a love – hate relationship

What is it about technology that gives the perception of using it such a varied point of view? I look at technology as tools to use to make our life simpler and more efficient whereas others look at technology as just a plaything or a geek thing. Take writing for example, when I’m writing on the computer to compose a story or other piece of writing, each person in my family looks at what I’m doing from a different perspective. I look at it as I’m doing writing. The rest of my family look at it as I’m using technology and that is where the discussion regarding my activities focuses.

Right now I write because I’m a writer. I’ve been writing reflective journals and stories since I was in my 20’s. I am also a storyteller, so writing helps me put thoughts into words. I could use pencil and paper to write with, in fact I did use pen and paper when I began writing (BC – before computers), but I find the computer a better tool to get ideas down allowing me to revise and edit as I write. This is my perspective of what I’m doing.

If I were to ask my wife what I was doing the answer would be, “Oh you’re on the computer again, because that is what you always do.”  My son on the other hand would equate the fact that me being on the computer is akin to him being on his video game system or on the Internet searching game system histories. There is no a difference between what we do.

If I were writing with pen and paper, the responses would not elicit the same reactions, yet I would be doing the same thing.

I get similar reactions when I use my iPod. Most people use their iPods for listening to music and such. I, however, listen to podcasts that relate to education, technology and storytelling. I rarely if ever listen to music. Yet it is not what I’m listening to that is reacted to, but the fact that I am listening to an electronic device.  If I were reading a book, magazine or newspaper on the same topics there would not be a reaction.

So my question is at what point does the action of what your doing get recognized as opposed to the vehicle that you use to do that action?

There are a number of proverbs about all work and no play. So like everyone else, I need to have venues that allow me to relax (though writing does). Unfortunately for me, those venues generally use technology. Whether it be doing online research of family histories or watching TV/movies (that my family doesn’t like doing) or listening to old time radio theater broadcasts.

My family’s concern is about the amount of time that I spend on all of these devices. I think that is what generates the negative responses to technology. I will admit that there are times that I use my iPod to listen to different kinds of podcasts, like online magazines, and old time radio programs. And I do use my computer to read comics, watch videos that some friends recommend, and go on Facebook to keep up with friends, colleagues and relatives. In those instances I’ll accept the criticism.  As a writer/storyteller unfortunately, I don’t have a 9-5 job. I tend to want to work all of the time (another issue). I do choose to work at times when both my wife and son are home. My son will be engrossed in a video console game; my wife sitting and watching him play. I choose to be on the computer, researching, writing or just keeping up with e-mail. In these instances all they see is me on the computer.

I can’t separate using technology for work from using technology for pleasure (there is a lot of overlapping here). To my family it is all the same. Their perception is that I’m a techno-junkie and can’t live without it. Who knows maybe they’re right. I’m sure if I search hard enough I could find some website or podcast that would give me more information about that techno-need condition. Though it would probably be very interesting, I probably wouldn’t be able to get anyone else to read/hear/watch it. It would just be me using technology again, which is, I guess, just what I do.