#technology takeover

Christine had to change her password on a website because she forgot it.  When doing this the website asked to click on 'not a robot'.

"Not a robot, what is this?" she asked her sister, Jess.

"Bots are all over the place taking over things," replied Jess.

Christine felt uncomfortable.  She looked at all the machines in the room then outside where people were walking strangely as if their legs were animatronic then to Jess who kept insisting not to get her hair wet; why?  Because she was a robot.

FYI: This post has been posted HOURS after it was written… I did not have internet access at the time that I wrote it. SORRY!

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It wasn’t until recently that I started noticing how much technology ACTUALLY changes our lives.

I feel like, yes, technology has made things easier for us… but I also feel that we have become so dependent on technology that it has actually made us LAZY. And yes, I am also aware that I am not the first person to voice this opinion, but I feel that the more people voice this (soon to be) fact, people will start to realize this, too!

Before, I remember when we had to walk to my grandmothers house—she only lives about 10 blocks away—it is NOT far at all. And ever since mom bought a car, we drive there. We no longer walk. Why is that? It’s not far… but driving IS much easier. I understand… It beats walking int he sun, and having to walk period. But that’s the thing… It made it easier TO BE lazy.

I don’t have a car… Maybe that’s why I see this (arbitrar-istic) problem—yes, I am aware that that is NOT a word… But it’s English: rules can be broken.

Back to my main point. Laziness. It’s a problem. And technology just isn’t helping it, either.

I remember when we had to write letters BY HAND, and have to WALK to the post office to DELIVER the letter. None of this e-mail nonsense. Again, yes… It makes life easier, but then it takes the whole fun out of writing the letter; and having to travel somewhere to deliver it.

Nowadays, whenever I walk, it feels… different. I notice things, now, since I am not in a vehicle moving at 40-80mph (depending who the driver is). I can stop and stare, and observe, and absorb what is around me; and all of the changes. I like that. I enjoy that. I like seeing things, and noticing the differences from last year (to now). Or even from two years ago; or five years ago; or… you get the point.

Just the other night, I ended up walking home to work. I drive through this street ALL THE TIME. And never had I noticed how different the street is now, from a few years back! Trees are no longer there; house colors are different; new light posts have been built; new shops have been opened; and a whole bunch of other “stuffs” are (not) there!

Also… I got some cardio in, which I need because I am gaining weight… gaaaaaah!

This next bit is a little off the “laziness” topic, but it still pertains to the “how technology can take away from you” point of this post.

Today, I traveled to Northridge to visit my good friend Maneet. I took three trains to get here: the Blue line; the Red line; and the METRO Link. I traveled from the Firestone Station (Firestone/Compton) to the Downtown Los Angeles station, where I caught the Red Line to Union Station (further deep into the center of Los Angeles). Doesn’t that seem like a huge hassle? I had to buy a day pass for the first two trains, and another pass for the last train.

But you know what? It was SOOO worth it. Want to know why? Of course you might not, but I am going to tell you anyway.

I have NEVER, in the 22years that I have lived in Los Angeles, EVER been to the Union Station. I have NEVER been on the METRO Link—until today. And you know what else? Union Station is BEAUTIFUL! I had only seen pictures, but man… I did not want to leave the place. I enjoyed watching the business-looking people in a rush to get their coffee, and the expressive gestures they made (while on the phone). I enjoyed walking around the station, observing the art; the surroundings; the construction going on; everything.

All because I don’t have a car. All because I took the time to look away from my phone, and observe. All because I decided to take off my earphones, and hear what was going on—what was being said, or not said at all! I seriously wish I had brought my DSLR with me. And even debated canceling on Maneet, just to keep roaming and observing (but I cannot do that. It’s Maneet! I can’t fail him)!

Now, I am sitting at Northridge, observing still. Everyone on their phones: almost crashing into one-another. Or on their laptops, kind of like I am right now—except I am typing without looking at my screen (I’ll just fix all the typos/grammar later… or maybe not?).

Yeah, it’s a cloudy (some would say, “ugly”) day, but it is a good day to just absorb everything around oneself!

Just right now, two guys almost bumped into each other, right in front of where I’m sitting… Turns out that they know each other (and might even be good friends, judging by the body-language they’re expressing). When they were walking, on their phone, before bumping into each other, they seemed mad… They had what people might call, “a resting bitch face”. Honestly… I would probably not approach either one, if I needed help, because they seemed “unfriendly” and as thought they did NOT want to be “bothered”.

But look at them now! Err… Ummm… Wait… You can’t… But, they look like they’re having the conversation of their lives: chatting, waving their hands, laughing, smiling.

If they never even bothered to look away from their phone, this probably wouldn’t have happened! And I think it’s awesome that it happened… Now, something interesting has happened during this part of their day—at least, in my opinion. (LOL).

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah... Okay… I think this blog took a plot-twist, and is now about something else.

What I am trying to say is… shut that phone, that laptop, that TV, and step outside! Wash your clothes by hand. Don’t use that microwave! Walk the distance. Read an actual book. Use a pen and paper to write that essay. Talk to someone in person, don’t just text/call them.

It might seem hard at first—because you might not be used to it—but man… It certainly makes a difference: and a GOOD ONE, at that! —

Hope you’re all having a great day/night!

In Men, Machines and the World About Norbert Wiener discusses his new found field of science called "cybernetics," the study of mechanical and electronic systems he believes are designed to replace the control functions of human beings.

Wiener proposes the idea that a new industrial revolution is taking place in which the energy of the machine is replacing the power of the human. 

This is a very fine example of how I wanted my project to finish (the iPhone video, people staring at their phones). 

Inspiring, sad, and I want to change... But here I am typing these words while staring at my computer screen rather than talking about it with someone. Playing.  Meditating. Running. Chatting. Joking. Laughing.

WITHOUT ME PUSHING A BUTTON.