Screens - Tree of Souls

ZenitYerkes · #1 03-27-2010, 08:10 PM

I feel uncomfortable in front of a screen, to be honest. I can't be working on my computer or watching TV without feeling so. Reason is that I don't like to miss what's happening around me; we've got a wonderful world we don't care about, exactly because of the screens. Instead of making food for your family, you'd rather play Cooking Mama; or instead of walking and feeding your dog you play Nintendogs. Or, instead of taking a walk to your forest or visit the countryside, you play the Avatar game. And a screen's life is easier than real life, I won't say it isn't.

But I feel bad for myself, being dependent like the rest of the world of a computer (in fact I am writing an essay myself but cannot do anything without checking constantly the forums for new replies, at the computer or the iTouch). I feel like, the need of feeling connected, because it's only through the Internet where I can have all the attention I need. Why I can't get it from real life, is because the rest are also on machines.

I don't know where we're headed to, but I feel alienated and isolated, ironically, in the age of communications and Internet. I really miss a good discussion about philosophy or politics with my father, who's always at the computer or watching TV; or when I was a child and played with my sister, who now spends most of her time in Facebook or Twitter. My 8-year-old brother loves PS2 and Wii, to the point of being so bored with anything else that he gets unbearable.

Constantly wired: with my computer, if not connected to my iTouch, if not watching TV,...

I feel the urgent need to get out of this, but I can't knowing all I could do will be just a temporal fix.

**rapunzel77** · #2 03-27-2010, 08:51 PM

I feel the same way Zenit. It is ironic that we feel more isolated due to all these machines than without them. However, we also feel a connection with people we would otherwise have never met in our everyday lives. Machines are two-edged swords. They can help and they can harm. The problem is when they take total control of our lives which happens so often

. I think this is a issue that we all struggle with.

ZenitYerkes · #3 03-27-2010, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapunzel77

I feel the same way Zenit. It is ironic that we feel more isolated due to all these machines than without them. However, we also feel a connection with people we would otherwise have never met in our everyday lives. Machines are two-edged swords. They can help and they can harm. The problem is when they take total control of our lives which happens so often

. I think this is a issue that we all struggle with.

I know; but it's just I want to get out of here (I'm now on the city limits and can see the green and the mountains from here) but eventually the PC pulls me back. I wish I wasn't so dependent from it yet keep the contact with the community.

Human No More · #4 03-27-2010, 11:00 PM

I'm different. I used to never be happier, when I was coding, or gaming, or on the internet.
Now, I'm still happy doing those things I guess, but so much of the time, it's just a means to escapism, to where I'm really happy...

ZenitYerkes · #5 03-28-2010, 10:39 AM

HNM, that's exactly what I don't like about machines. You can escape for a moment from the real trouble and stare at a screen for 5 hours instead of facing it. I want to believe real life can be more beautiful, instead of a place from where you have to run away.

**Pa'li Makto** · #6 03-28-2010, 10:43 AM

I get more out of the day when I'm away from the tv and computer. I feel drained and physically tired within an hour of sitting there glued to the screen. Not only that but I miss the beautiful weather outside and chatting with people.
We zone out of tv's and computer to distract ourselves from reality and to hide.
I don't want to keep doing that..

Tudhalyas · #7 03-28-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapunzel77

I feel the same way Zenit. It is ironic that we feel more isolated due to all these machines than without them. However, we also feel a connection with people we would otherwise have never met in our everyday lives. Machines are two-edged swords. They can help and they can harm. The problem is when they take total control of our lives which happens so often

. I think this is a issue that we all struggle with.

Oel ngati kameie, ma tsmuké. Your thoughts are my thoughts.

Huurraaa · #8 03-28-2010, 07:18 PM

Actually it's good for anyone to hate being glued to the screen. Sadly I've gotten so used to spending days after days at the computer, and it's gotten to the point that I'm not motivated to do anything else...

**Pa'li Makto** · #9 03-29-2010, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huurraaa

Actually it's good for anyone to hate being glued to the screen. Sadly I've gotten so used to spending days after days at the computer, and it's gotten to the point that I'm not motivated to do anything else...

Me too.
I know what you mean, I've been getting lazier every day that I stay at home when not at uni.

Iknimaya · #10 03-29-2010, 01:52 AM

I took a study abroad trip to Europe for a month last summer. During that time I was able to check my email twice. When I got back home, I found I no longer really cared about the internet, video games, or television since I had gone so long without them. This summer I am going again for a longer trip. I wonder if the effect will become stronger?

Sometimes you just need to force yourself to unplug. The internet's not going anywhere-see if you can go a day without it, then a week, then a month.

Human No More · #11 03-29-2010, 02:00 AM

A day, I could do (and have, when I've been horrifically busy)
A week, it's possible I guess, if I didn't have commitments (ToS is the main one now, but not the only one)
A month, and I'd probably go insane.

Huurraaa · #12 03-29-2010, 02:19 AM

I still remember how much I hated the computer when I was forced to use it.
Now I can't live without it.

But I guess if we force ourselves to stop doing all the pointless things on the computer, the craving might weaken gradually.
I'm pumped to try this

**Txum_kali'weya** · #13 03-29-2010, 05:33 AM

I was getting bored with the internet and computers for a while. Then a movie was released and I have been on at least twice a day for about 6 hours. Maybe more.
But it has helped me feel more connected, and I Still go outside a lot.

Guess what movie it was.

**rapunzel77** · #14 03-29-2010, 07:00 PM

My only problem would be that if I decided to take a break from checking my e-mail, etc for at least two to three days, maybe more, there would be toooo many e-mails in my inbox, mostly from an e-mail list I am on and stupid spam

. So, I have to check it only to delete most of my inbox so it doesn't get so cluttered.