Digital Prisoners

They say all things in moderation is the key to happiness. And this would include our digital lifestyles. I’m not one to carry a cell phone. Having grown up in a time when the only lines of communication were hardwired landline telephones, letter writing, and direct in-person contact I have never felt the need to have instant and immediate accessibility. If we weren’t home when the phone rang, the person calling had to call back until we were. If the person ringing the front doorbell found no one at home they came back later. No harm, no foul, that was just the way it was. Now days we’re conditioned to respond immediately to any form of digital contact, whether it be through cell phone, texting, or e-mail. If we don’t, we feel a sense of guilt, or I should say some feel guilt, I personally don’t have a problem with being “disconnected” or momentarily inaccessible. One of the other downsides of the constantly connected mindset is the inability to focus on any one thing for more than just brief interludes. Many find themselves unable to even sit through a two hour movie without checking their mobile devices several times. A complete disconnect is probably not the answer, but striving to maintain a healthy balance of on-line and off-line time is.