Throughout a couple hundred thousand years of human civilization, technology has continued to develop to both the benefit and detriment of humankind. Bicycles were a nice addition to our lives, as well as eating utensils and indoor toilets. I'm certain more than a few people could have done without the guillotine, but where would we be without the advent of the steam engine and, later, the internal combustion engine?
The thing is, we are constantly turning out items and ideas to make our lives easier, but have we gotten to the point where that is impossible? Have we reached a plateau whereupon every gadget and feature we tweak into our daily routine only hurts our productivity; steals our time? Have we, as a society, forgotten how to jettison things that don't work as planned? Perhaps we've forgotten the failure that was the PDA; good idea turned paperweight.
Now, I have to admit that I love the internet. The ability to not only find the answer to potentially any question, but to find an item on the other side of the planet, purchase it, then have it show up on your doorstep a few days later is both convenient and wonderful. Through social networking sites, I have gotten in touch with friends I had feared lost to the passing of time.
. . .And there, of course, are the games.
So where has it all gotten us? Where has it gotten me? I have, of late, come to the realization that I haven't quite made it to where I want to be at this stage of life. I am a steampunk, which means by nature that I am a recycler and upcycler. I invent and I reinvent. I have the ability to live simply, but do I, truly? How much time have I lost to online diversions in the pursuit of quick information? What have I done to achieve my career goal of becoming a reclusive writer?
Beginning with this new day, I am going to unplug. I am going to turn my back, temporarily, on some of the conveniences of the day, with the intent of getting back some of the productivity I've lost these last few years. I have accomplished so much recently, and I refuse to backstep. The world needs my contribution, so here I come. We often forget the power we have over our own destinies.
I will not be completely isolated from the modern world, as I will be coming back from time to time to report my progress. For now, it's back to an earlier time. See you around. . .
