Technology's Downfall

We talk about how efficient technology makes us. US, meaning society as a whole. But I think technology has really slowed me down. And it sure as hell has my productivity shot. And I grow more and more inpatient. I blame the internet. But the internet is only a vast assembly of interlinked computers. So I blame computers.

Shopping is supposed to be made faster thanks to computers. But I find myself spending so much more time researching what I'm going to buy now, even though it doesn't matter that much. And then most of the time I still go to a regular store to actually try and buy the product.

I don't really talk to my friends anymore. I just IM them. Or message them on Friendster, Myspace, or Facebook. I already know I have a total of about 27 friends, give or take. Now, I don't bother IMing friends that much, because I can find out about it on their respective social networking pages or blogs.

I remember when I used to play fantasy football pre-internet. Mike would call everyone the night before the game to get the starting rosters and we'd check the stats on Monday morning's newspaper. Do some math, and then start talking smack. Now I'm in 3 leagues, some with people I barely know anymore if ever, and I'm checking my roster for injuries and matchups several times a week. I know it makes no difference checking my team on Tuesday, knowing full well I'll be doing the same on Wednesday and Friday, and maybe Sunday morning.

Sure, computers make some things easier, like writing a 30 page paper, spreadsheets, and graphic design. But then you are also spending an enormous amount of time getting proficient at these applications, and then a new version is released that we always complain about how the old one was better until we get acclimated to it. Then we need to help all the late adopters that can't figure out anything. That has created a whole new job segment called IT and Helpdesk.

I can keep going on with my random rant. But the fact of the matter is. I know full well that nobody reads my blogs, yet I still take 20 minutes out of my day to write my thoughts and waste my time, knowing i have more important things to do... like work.

Working at work increases productivity 100%.