Technology Fatigue

While I was cleaning my office, I found a photo of my late cat, Yume, on my desk amidst my work clutter. The cats I’ve had all seem to enjoy hanging out on my cluttered desk while I’m at work. I think they like the warmth from the devices. As I consider myself an accidental geek, I tend to be an early adaptor to new technologies. I had my first Mac in 199 and had my first dial-up Internet connection not too long afterwards. And I kept moving along with whatever new technology that became available to help my work and daily tasks. Needless to say, when the first iPhone hit the market, I was one of the first amongst my friends to have one.

More than 30 years later, our life completely depends on the Internet and all the devices to connect to it. Today, I can’t imagine not having everything in my palm, can’t imagine driving without the map systems, can’t imagine a life without the Internet. While I still feel young enough to keep up with whatever new things that come along to supposedly help our life, I wonder how much longer I will have to keep going along. I’m aware that I have a choice in the matter, but when everything in the world is so tied to technology, I’m afraid that I’ll be left behind in the dust if I don’t. FOMO! But honestly, I’m getting tired of ever changing technological advancements that keep me so hooked.

I wonder what Buddha would say to 21st Century human beings. Teaching of “wise effort” says to “not make things worse;” and make things better. Is my life better if I keep up with technologies? It’s obviously up to individual assessment, and I’ve chosen to have certain technologies to help certain aspects of my life. As I reflect on the intertwined nature of technology and my life, I find solace in the wisdom of “wise effort,” pondering whether my pursuit of technological advancements truly enhances my existence or merely adds to the clutter of modern living. Food for thought…