Before the Challenge

I will complete this challenge at a level four for 24 hours. This will push me to go beyond my comfort level in technology use, mostly by taking me away from the computer. I tend to check E-mail obsessively, and much of my homework is based around the computer and the Internet. I will have to give up these habits and do my homework as best I can without the aid of a computer. I will also have to cut off communication with my teachers and friends by not using my E-mail. This will be especially challenging because I E-mail my teachers almost every night with questions about homework. Since I am doing the tech-free challenge Friday evening to Saturday evening, I will also have to give up the leisure and relaxation time associated with watching television or listening to music in the car, and find other ways to take breaks. I wonder if I will even be able to find a way to relax without the excuse of television, or some other form of technology. I am not very unique or creative in my food interests, so not using microwaves could also cause a lot of hassle for me. I will often just heat up whatever we had for dinner on Friday for a Saturday afternoon lunch. The challenge might require me to make my own food, or to choose another option from the refrigerator.

I expect this tech-free period to be challenging, but not impossible. I am pushing myself to a certain extent with my technology usage, but not so far that I would have to drastically alter my lifestyle for the period of the challenge. The biggest thing being taken away is the computer, and it would be a much bigger deal to halt my schedule and try not to use cars, or work in the dark without electricity. I even sometimes enjoy a lack of technology. When I vacation in Maine every summer, my technology use is very minimal. My time is taken up with reading for long hours, or treasure hunting for sea glass on the beach (although we do have motorboats and microwaves). I never feel like I miss technology during this time, only very relaxed and content. Of course, in Maine, I am physically detached from my home, so it is easier to ignore all the technological nuisances that reside there. There is no way to forget that you are not supposed to be using technology. Despite the fact that I enjoy a lack of technology, and I have not pushed myself to the limit with this tech-free period, there will be some very irksome times within the challenge. For example, I check my E-mail every day when I get home, and I will likely forget that I cannot do this. I will probably have to turn off my computers to make sure I do not accidentally click something. I think it will also require some problem solving to find information without using Google, and I will have to do more pencil and paper work since I cannot use a calculator. Not using technology will be challenging not so much because I want so badly to use the technology, or because I like it, but because it is a habit that will be hard to break.



I want to learn from this challenge ways to be separated from technology. I noticed recently that I always sit at my desk to do homework while the computer is on. Why? What if I am handwriting my work? Why do I need that computer sitting in front of me and turned on? It has become routine, just in case I randomly need the computer for some purpose. It reminds me of what Postman in Technopoly says about technology beginning to control us, rather than the other way around. I would like to use this challenge to get a handle on my technology use, mostly with homework and E-mail, and teach myself that there is really no reason to have the computer on when I don’t need it, or to always receive my E-mail when I do not know who I expect to send me anything. I need to be more objective with my use of technology, and not assume that the way I use it is the way it must be. Who knows, maybe it will even help me cut down on the number of hours I spend on assignments.