COLUMN: The Plugged-in Generation

It occurred to me the other day that I am addicted to technology.
    I had this epiphany last Tuesday at the end of a somewhat traumatic day. You see, Tuesdays are very busy for me. I’m always on the move, in and out of meetings and constantly in-touch with people via cellphone conversation and text message.
    However, this particular day I forgot my cell phone. How I forgot it, I do not know, because the only place I do not take my phone is in the shower – and sometimes even there if I’m expecting an important call.
    Unfortunately, I did not discover the absence of my phone until I was already on the shuttle to work. At first I considered going back for it – which would have made me 30 minutes late – but decided I was strong enough to make it through one day without my phone.
    Wrong.
     By the time I left work at noon I was practically shaking like a meth-head from withdrawal of my cellphone. For the four hours I was at work I couldn’t stop patting at my pocket to see if, magically, my phone had reappeared.
    At one point, my anxiety got so bad I had to ask a friend in my first class of the day if I could borrow his phone; however, once I had it in my hands, I couldn’t think of anyone to call. I sat there for a few seconds staring at the glowing screen and faded buttons. I finally called another friend to see if he wanted to meet for lunch, but only out of the risk of looking stupid.
    I went the rest of the day trying not to think about my missing cellphone, but it got too much. I finally decided to use a 30-minute block in my schedule I was going to use for homework to run home and grab my cellphone.
    Pathetic? Yes.
    Uncommon? I don’t think so.
    Through this experience I’ve learned that my generation is becoming increasingly dependent on technology, I’d go so far as to say we are addicted. We can’t handle not being able to contact someone at the time we desire. Waiting is no longer an option.
    The counter argument to this is why should we wait when we don’t have to? My response is, although I see technology as a good thing with plenty of positive aspects, we are letting it take over our lives.
    While this may not be the case for every single person on campus, I’d say the vast majority would have an anxiety attack if they forgot their phone at home.
    Another technology that is taking over the lives of millennials across the nation is Facebook. While I admit to having both a Facebook and a Myspace, I only check them once every now and then. However, I had a friend admit to me just yesterday that he checks his Facebook more than his cell phone. Sounds a little excessive to me.
    But maybe with our new generation that’s necessary. I had another friend who said she checks her Facebook only once a day, but may need to start checking more frequently to please her friends who get upset with her for not responding within the hour to wall posts and messages.
    God forbid someone have a life outside of their virtual world.
    Something is being lost with all this technology, face-to-face interaction. Ten years ago if a student wanted to talk to their friend who lives on the fourth floor, they’d have to to walk up to see them, or at least call. Now all you have to do is text or Facebook, leaving no chance for an accidental conversation to take place.
    In my mind this is all one big irony. We use Facebook and constant texting because we, as the millennial generation, need to “feel” connected to everyone else, when in reality we are being blocked by excessive technology, and building real relationships with people is becoming increasingly difficult.
    To illustrate this point I’d like to share a story. I was eating lunch with a friend I hadn’t seen for a long time and was looking forward to catching up with him.
    However, this did not occur. Throughout the entire meal my friend had his cell phone out, sending and answering texts. After 30 minutes we’d hardly covered what I’d consider a decent conversation. I left lunch that day feeling cheated and a little offended.
    I love my cell phone, I love my laptop, but I can no longer allow those things to create a barrier between me, the world I’m living in and the people in it.
  

Greg Boyles is a junior majoring in print journalism. Questions and comments can be sent to greg.boyles@aggiemail.usu.edu.