Most days on my drive home from work (which is over 30 MILES each way – you do the math, its a lot of time spent in the car), I listen to NPR. I do this mostly because just about all music on the radio is absolute trash but also because I love some of the interviews. Yesterday, I listened as a man who won a Pulitzer Prize for his research on the effects of technology on our brains discussed how being connected to “our devices” at all times is not necessarily a positive thing. It led me off on my own train of thought that came to the same conclusion. But, it was for different reasons.
I noticed that not yet having the Internet at my house has a lot of benefits. I find more time to do the things I need to do and I find myself staying more connected to my surroundings. I also noticed that when I am not able to use social networks (such as FB and this very site), I focus on my own goals. Instead of feeling a tinge of separation from my friends because of seeing uploaded pictures that I’m not in, I feel accomplished and productive about my weekend. Instead of comparing my writing, or my photography to that of the people I idealize, I build my own sense of self confidence in my work.
So, as much as I am a hypocrite for saying so, disconnecting from outside society, even friends and distant family is a good thing sometimes. At least in the sense that it allows a reconnection to ones self.

Day Eleven and Day Twelve (8.24,25.2010) “Id rather be….”

…Or….