GIVE ME BACK MY TECHNOLOGY!

Friday at midnight was my last day of the Thoreau challenge. I have to say I WILL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN! While at some points it was nice to just get away from facebook and all the time it consumed from me, not being able to use my phone was a hassle. I had so many texts and missed voicemails when I turned it back on. I also made the mistake of forgetting to tell my mother that I wouldn't have my phone. Let's just say she was pretty angry and thought that I had been completely ignoring her. I was glad that it was over for Saturday because me and my friends went to the Renaissance Fair so when I got lost and broke up with the group, having my phone to track them down in the mounds of people really helped. The first thing I did when the challenge was over besides turn on my phone was log onto facebook. It amazes me how much my notifications can build up when I don't check them.
I thought I would have more time to do homework if I wasn't constantly checking my phone or on the internet but instead I spent more time writing or talking with my friends. I'm just thankful that this wasn't a full on challenge where we had to completely get away from civilization, people, technology, etc. I would NOT of been able to handle that. Sure after a while I wouldn't mind not having a phone and internet, but being by myself would be the worst.
I did learn that technology can sometimes consume us. Even though I don't use it everyday for down time, I still use it enough that it can distract me from what I should be doing. I don't believe that I'll ever be trying this again, but at least I know that I can live without it and I'd eventually get use to the inconvenience. For those of you who haven't tried it yet, good luck, it's beyond annoying.

Big Brother? Like the TV show?

I think that Big Brother is just like Hitler; strong worded man with inspiring things to say, but used for all the wrong reasons. He’s basically on a power trip. Big Brother has a found a way to control people: fear, hate, anger, etc. This is done partially through the Two Minutes of Hate. To read about the people acting like vicious animals while watching violent images is disturbing. Even Winston seems to be ashamed of himself for joining in. But it’s odd to watch how his rage turns from Big Brother, to the girl with the brown hair and so on. Most of us wonder how these people can be so worked up, but it’s the simple fact that their lives are basically meaningless and with many limits. I feel like violence is the only way they can get pent up emotions out. This also seems to be the one time that they can even show emotion without the thought police in mind (that is if of course you show an emotion Big Brother and the Party wants you feel.) I’m pretty sure I would act out too if I had to keep a straight but cheery face all day, every second. As humans, we need to not only feel emotions but show them. It’s natural. In this world they are being severely suppressed.

I’ve heard a few people over the years say that we, too, have lost our privacy. They claim that through security cameras, GPS, credit card tracking, IP addresses, and so on, that they government can watch everything that we are doing. The biggest controversy about “invasion of privacy” is the debate over airline security after 9/11. You go through hours of checking, rechecking, security dogs, metal detectors and bag checks just to board a plane. I know that they have very good reason for it because they have probably stopped many terrorists from trying to take down planes or even drug dealers from smuggling things across borders. The question is whether they should be allowed to root through every inch of your belongings and strip search you just because they think you may have something. We need to find a middle ground with that. I understand that this makes people feel safer in a way, but there is still a growing fear that is being created. We are passing on this fear to our children that don’t quite understand that just because a person is Islamic doesn’t mean they are a terrorist. This relates to how the children in 1984 are taught through fear and ignorance in order to get them to watch others for the government.

Back on track though, I think even with things like this we still have way more privacy than Winston and everyone in his world. We can sit in a room with our thoughts and not have to worry about someone watching us at that moment or trying to cover up our expressions so we don’t “disappear”. I feel safe in my own head because I know that maybe a few people can tell what I’m thinking based on my expressions but even if they do I don’t have to worry about being killed over it. 

Thoreau Challenge Blog #2

I'm am highly disappointed in myself. If you noticed, my challenge started last Thursday, meaning that tomorrow should of been my last day, but I broke down a listened to a brand new CD from my favortie band that came out on Wednesday. As punishment, I am extending my challenge time till midnight tonight. I guess I didn't directly use technology because I got my room mate to play it for me on her computer so I could listen. But other than that, I haven't really been getting on the computer exceot for this class and work. The first two days were difficult because I just wanted to check facebook in my down time. I thought that maybe I would of gotten more work done because I wasn't constantly on the computer, but instead I've been writing...and not things that involve work. I really missed writing and I forgot how much better it made me feel to get things out on paper. I'm already a constantly list/task note taker that actually putting how I feel about all the crazy stuff in my life on paper feels great. Again, today will be my last day on this challenge, and why I'm ready to be done with it, I'm not completely anxious. I think the only thing I really want to do right now is listen to my cd and order some books off of amazon already. 11 hours, 15 minutes and counting. BRING IT ON!