Often one must lose something in order
to appreciate it's value. Last week I was
on the road for a brief trip when suddenly
I CRASHED. Well, not myself personally
but rather my computer. There I was at an
airport trying to log in yet being shut out.
Nothing I could do seemed to work. And
so I was lost without any link to the world
at large. Obviously I still had my phone
but somehow, I felt isolated in a way that
I can't truly describe. And soon thereafter
realized that like it or not, I was a bonafide
data addict forced to go cold turkey.
I freaked out. In these days of stealth cyber
stalks and attacks I immediately assumed
some evil assault had hit rather than simple
mechanical failure. Suddenly I was terror
stricken that my world was lost along with
my bank accounts being cleaned out. Soon
thereafter I logged into my accounts only to
find that in fact, all was safe. That night I
spent over an hour on the phone with the
Mac help line who aided me in pushing all
of the right buttons. But nothing worked.
I was out in the cold. Alone… without a
link to the world at large. Do you read me?
Upon landing in Montana I drove to the
nearest Apple store for diagnosis. Soon
my lifeline was hooked up to a variety
of diagnostic tools. Their final analysis
was that my battery was DOA. Per the
experts when pushed to the limit, said
power source "swells" rendering one's
laptop keyboard and pad inoperable. Off
for repairs, I'm left to beg and borrow
time on Frank's computer. All of this is
yet another lesson in life's limitations. A
reminder that just when we think we've
got it all, someone turns the lights out.
One wonders how we ever lived before
computers, the Internet, or cell phones.
I fondly recall the days of shelves filled
with encyclopedias, party lines, and old
fashioned rotary dialing. In hindsight
we had greater control over our world.
One could opt out of communication
by not answering the phone. Or if one
preferred to live in ignorant bliss, just
avoid the library. In those days those
who had the info had the most power.
And many of us liked being out of the
loop whenever we wanted to be.
How often to do you "Google" in a day?
Anytime I have a question I simply look
it up on-line. For a data junkie like myself
such instant access to the facts is as good
as Crack. I thrive on being up on all of the
latest information, having the scoop, and
being able to put everything in historical
perspective. Now suddenly I've lost my
link to everything that seemed invaluable.
And… somehow I'm surviving. You see,
we've foolishly allowed our technological
"helpers" to enslave us. Whether we need
them or not. Is life better off of the grid?!
The past few days have taught me that I'm
more than capable of surviving sans instant
access to everything and everybody. Thus
if nothing else my personal opinions and
perspectives have gained importance while
in the midst of my hiatus from other's input.
I've discovered that I can think for myself
if and when necessary. However while I'm
most grateful for this sudden opportunity to
reconnect with the real me - I honestly can't
wait to get my laptop back. The truth is that
I can't live without it. Nor… in my humble
opinion should I have to! HOOK ME UP!
Information is power. My recent time in
laptop limbo has reinforced that rather
than a necessary evil, technology is in
fact a God send. I've no desire to return
to the dark ages of reference libraries,
pay phones, and snail mail. Rather I
relish being able to learn more about or
connect with almost anyone, anything,
anywhere, anytime. My data drought
has affirmed that my reliance on cyber
support is in fact a blessing. I'm at my
best when able to connect to the world
at large instantly. Beam me up Scotty!