Don’t let technology get in the way of true experience
“Technology [has a] knack of so arranging the world that we don’t have to experience it.”
–Max Frisch, in Daniel Boorstin’s The Image (1961)
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“Technology [has a] knack of so arranging the world that we don’t have to experience it.”
–Max Frisch, in Daniel Boorstin’s The Image (1961)
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:58 am
That someone could identify that so long ago is prescient. Who woulda thunk that being online could be so compulsive? Gotta check my website, gotta check how many hits I got, gotta check Facebook… and on and on and on.
While it sounds ridiculous that this could be a challenge, I take complete days offline and I recommend it.
But I can only thank the stars that I live in a vibrant city, and enjoy a luxuriously efficient public transportation system, randomly bumping into non-virtual people I’ve met over the years.
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Technology stops becoming tool and starts becoming end-in-itself
September 23rd, 2007 at 8:28 am
I in general agree with Rolf’s post. However, it is fairly vague. For example, I have found that traveling with a cell phone is remarkably convenient. My guess is most travelers these days travel with an MP3 player. Are these 2 examples letting technology get in the way of true experience?
Frank
September 24th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Frank,
It could be if you listen to your MP3 player rather than hear a local rock band or chat with a friend back home rather than speak to the fellow traveler next to you.
September 24th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Brian –
Chatting with a friend back home would either require a cell phone or a computer – both examples of technology on the road.
When traveling, you always have to spend some time doing some rudimentary routines, such as bathing, getting dressed, cleaning, etc. Also, it is not uncommon to have to relax for an hour. It’s nice to have an MP3 player during some of these downtimes.
Frank
September 25th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Frank, if I were traveling alone you’re right I would probably want my mp3 player. But if you think about it, it’s just not essential – people survived before they were invented. And I think it’s true that there’s so much to experience in a new culture, that you’re kind of like turning off one of your senses.
I do think mp3 players are perfect for flying, and I’ll be taking mine tonight on my flight to Israel. But while I’m out experiencing the country I doubt I’ll be using it at all.
March 8th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Danyel,
how I do love your quote, However with the i and u and ur’s present I believe it is simply evidence of how technology is ruling our lives and morphing us into people that live in the increasingly virtual world of facebook, twitter and myspace. Spending less time in the real world and more time in the virtual world eliminates real-life experiences. 50 or 100 years ago you would never have started a letter with lol, u, ur, or i…..