A Bicycle for Your Mind

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Have you traveled on public transportation lately? 90% of the people on it are glued to their smart phones. While driving in this morning, I caught roughly 10 people playing with their smart phones while in traffic. NPR just had a package on about a guy who had his own startup for technology innovation, then Google bought his company, so he went from being his own boss to working for the "man". He lasted about a year. I didn't catch the guy's name, but he had studied in college to use technology to better your life, not hinder or hijack it. He likened it to a bicycle for your mind. And then, working for Google and saw first hand how corporations are creating the new addiction - it's not alcohol or pot, or gambling - it is being tethered to your smart phone or tablet. People are addicted to check the latest tweet, or how many likes you got on facebook or worse, all those targeted ads you are being served up by Amazon, or Google because you did a search on Acetylene Torches, so now welding equipment is popping up all over your feeds on social media. The host on NPR likened this addiction (instead of a bicycle) to a self driving car for your mind. I went to college for Journalism, specifically advertising and at the time that smart phones were only a thought, and PCs were the new technology. I had no idea my major would be used for mainstream addiction. We are being led to the edge of the cliff people, and before we know it we are careening to our deaths over the edge. OK< <<semi dramatic>>>. But while I LOVE my smart phone, I long for the old days where people actually had to talk to one another face to face. To actually have a relationship in person, and spend time together. For all the good technology has given us, like me being able to keep in touch with my friends thousands of miles away in Uruguay, or keeping in touch with Brad when he was in Afghanistan - I have learned that I have to be cognizant of time, and not be consumed by it. The fact that you are reading this blog off of Facebook I am not eating my own dog food! But, I am planning to keep using it for good, reflection and keeping it as a bicycle for my mind!

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