A Technological Vortex

(Excerpted from Earth Magic: Ancient Shamanic Wisdom for Healing Yourself, Others, and the Planet)

MYTH: All of the industrial and technological innovations are absolutely necessary for our survival in today’s world.

Every major human innovation that has been adopted almost universally not only requires us to change, but also eventually becomes a massive operating system for most of the civilized world. The products of such innovations—such as the printing press and electric lights—gradually infiltrated our consciousness and our lifestyles, and they’ve become so familiar that they feel unquestionably necessary for our daily functions. Although anyone who was born in the 1990s or later may not believe it, there really was a time when there were no cell phones, computers, or televisions, as astounding as that may at first seem! Even for those of us who were born prior to the 90s, these are all such an integral part of our daily lives that it’s hard to do without them.

I recall that when I first got a cell phone, I vowed to never use it while driving. That lasted about three weeks before I caved in and started making calls on the way to my office where I held my private psychotherapy practice, which was about 15 minutes away. After all, I could use the time more efficiently by getting some of the calls out of the way while I was doing the relatively automatic task of driving. After several months of this routine, it seemed quite natural to check in with my answering service and return calls pertaining to the practice or perhaps to just dial up a friend to chat. It certainly took away some of the boredom of driving the same route each day. But then one morning on the way to work, tragedy struck. . . . I’d forgotten my cell phone!

When I first noticed that it wasn’t with me, my heart jumped from the adrenaline that shot into my system. For a few brief moments, my conditioning took over with a reaction that was akin to losing my only weapon against a lion that was about to attack. Then I was struck by the absurdity of becoming so agitated over a forgotten cell phone. It wasn’t the end of the world, and in spite of my habit of conversing on the phone while driving (which had etched itself into my brain), I acknowledged that not only could I survive without it, but I could actually enjoy the drive to my office without the distraction of having to be extra vigilant because I had this electronic object attached to my ear. What a concept!

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Danuta W.

1:21AM PST on Jan 10, 2013

Thanks for the article

January 10
send a green star

8:21AM PDT on Aug 1, 2012

Technology is not the problem, it's how people choose to use it that is the problem - well illustrated in this article....
i choose to have and use an ordinator for all the incredible things it allows me to do with one tool....
i choose not to have: cell phone, television, microwave, car...(although i dream of having a "clean" vehicle, which would make my life a lot easier!)

August 1
send a green star

Terry V.

7:02AM PDT on Jul 22, 2012

to each their own

July 22
send a green star

Loxie S.

6:45AM PDT on Jul 22, 2012

I am agree with Silas G. the phone is a tool. I use it when I need it. I am oftien out a lone and I feel safer when I have it. I check in about my coming and going.

Lauren E.

11:52PM PDT on Jul 19, 2012

Fascinating! As an incoming college student I can totally relate to this technology dependency. Every once in a while I take a day or two to just completely avoid my computer, my phone, iPod, everything... and it always fills me up with this really peaceful feeling. Here is a website that also makes a point similar to this article's: http://thequietplaceproject.com/thequietplace?page=&lang=

July 19
send a green star

Silas G.

1:33PM PDT on Jul 17, 2012

I don't really have this technological dependence so many people mention, and find others' experiences of it rather humorous. Sure, I enjoy using technology now and again, but it is not so much a part of me that I feel "phantom cell phone pain" when it is gone. When I forget my phone, I'm really more concerned that I might have an accident without it than feeling like I am missing out on something. Even if I did, I'd just have to do it the old-fashioned way and walk somewhere (fates forefend!).

July 17
send a green star

Ernie M.

10:06AM PDT on Jul 17, 2012

I have a cell phone I bet I have made 10 calls in the last 5 months TV is off way more than on. however the Hammock in the garden seems to be getting worn out when there is shade. If I could only shed myself of this damn computer.

Past Member .

9:57AM PDT on Jul 16, 2012

Thanx.