This past weekend, at a “first Sunday in 2011 Brunch,” very smart people held tightly to their champagne as they painted scenes from their lives that wouldn’t make inspiring screen savers. 
The question posed – “How has connectivity negatively impacted your personal and professional life?” – revealed an underbelly of distinct ways our relationships and professional success may be altered by choosing to be connected all the time.
No solutions were targeted by this group. The idea came to me to propose self-inflicted technology sabbaticals, but I feared getting stabbed with toothpicks. In fact, not one person admitted a problem with living a good deal of time on computer screens.
Instead, the idea that we’re losing control felt more like a plague that is “on the way” and when it really arrives, we’ll deal with it. But no need to ruin our giddy fun with new apps just yet.
Our discussion was NOT about whether whether we like technology. On the contrary, everyone in this group confessed profound love for how technology allows us to live and work. And we raved about what latest gadget we either got or gave for presents. “Oh I l-o-v-e, love, love my new iPad” or “My non-techno husband downloaded his first book into his DX – all by himself!”
But for all the good our screens do for us, there’s also trouble. One person recalled a family dinner when all eight family members – from the oldest (62) to the youngest (23) – were either texting or checking email at the end of dinner. Several people responded, “Oh that happens all the time at our dinner table.”
Later, while visiting my 95-year-old Dad in the nursing home, where conversations slow to a halt after 10 minutes, I reached for my Blackberry as the Green Bay Packers score a touchdown and the TV crowd roars.
“That looks important,” said my Dad, eyeing the device that he’s seen before but never asked about. “What’s it doin’ for you?”
This weighty question implores answers with great consequences for all of us.
“What’s it doing for us?”
More importantly: “What’s it doing to us?”
Here’s a sampling of net effects:
- “Upon arrival for Christmas with my parents, my mom and dad announced a new rule – no electronic devices in the living room. So, most of the time we all just got up and hovered in the doorway with our ipods. Clarissa, age 47
- “At work, everyone is interacting with a screen. I’m not focused on having conversations with my colleagues or even picking up the phone to talk to my customers. At times, I think it’s crazy. But I keep doing it.” Mike, 45
- “Last month on our lodge-to-lodge trip on the Inca trail, I arranged to be able to send email but not receive it. I hated not getting email. I’ll never do that again.” Mary, age 40. (while one person replied, I can relate to that another said, I think that’s kinda sad.”
- “I just feel like I’m at work all the time. ALL THE TIME! It’s not good!” (giddy, nervous laugh) Mark, age 34.