Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

[anunitu]

Kinda simple,or maybe thought provoking. If you had to give up your electronic toys for a while,how would you feel?

Think about your day,and how often you use that phone,or tablet or even your desktop(if you still have one)

Be honest,how addicted are you?

[B. de Corbin]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

My internet access is the only thing I'd really miss - it's the only toy I use throughout the day.

[Munin-Hugin]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

I know that I could always find something to do to keep myself occupied, such as reading or painting or cooking. But the biggest thing I'd miss would be my phone, mainly because it's the main way I keep in touch with my wife while she's 400 miles away. Long distance is tough enough, never mind when you've got to do it with letters and postcards.

[volcaniclastic]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

Honest answer: I'd be fine. I already feel like I've lost everything else. A lack of electronics is fairly insignificant in comparison.

[Thrudr]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

Be honest,how addicted are you?

Guilty as charged XD
Last year I went to South Africa to volunteer on a wildlife project and in one of the parks there was no wifi and the electricity we did have came from a simple generator. I spent two weeks without electronics. And boy, how confronting and frustrating that was the first two days. I never realized how addicted I was to the comfort of my computer and phone. I had my phone with me, but I was in the middle of the bush with no signal, wifi or anything. And I automatically kept checking my phone, while there was really nothing to check out. So after two days I decided to put my phone away in my backpack. I really didn't need it for anything, except as an alarm clock, which my roommate already used her phone for.
Instead I read some books, played games with the other volunteers and enjoyed my surroundings. I mean, there were elephants, lions and other beautiful animals everywhere! What the hell did I need my phone for It was a real eye-opener for me. So I recommend everyone to spent some time away from electronics and especially your phone.

[Juniper]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

It'd be crippling at first but I'd find a way to make due. It just depends on how widespread the electronic deprivation would be. Losing MY electronic toys (computers, phone, tablet, tv) and appliances would be one thing, but losing ALL electronics would be a different story. Paying for food, heat, running water, fuel would be more than just a little crippling. It would be devastating. So can you elaborate more on which electronics you're talking about?

[iris]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

I'd be lost. Literally. I have no sense of direction, the gps on my phone is vital to me I'd probably be ok. Using gps has actually made me better at reading maps. I use my phone a lot, but I like sending letters, and reading is fine entertainment too. I didn't have a cellphone or computer growing up, I could probably get used to not having it again. I'd miss the contact with people around the world though.

[DanieMarie]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

I use my phone, tablet, and computer a lot, but when I give them up, I really, really enjoy it. We do at least one trip every year where there is no Internet or cell service and it's always fantastic. The longest we did so far was 10 days in the Hebrides in Scotland and it almost felt like culture shock going back to it. I'd love to do a longer trip with no electronics (well, I guess we do use cameras, but that's it). We want to bike to Copenhagen and back next year and since I nixed the data on my phone, I won't be online if we do it. That's about two weeks or so.

Oh yeah, and I nixed the data on my phone, so I don't use the Internet when I'm out and about, not even on long train rides. I love it and I'm not going back.

[kalynraye]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

I am a lot less addicted to my phone then I used to be, and I made myself that way. I realized a few years back that I couldn't not look at it so I started leaving it in the car when I would go to work. I broke myself of that habit but I still use it a lot. I also spend a lot of time on my laptop but that's really just to be on here and check my facebook. I don't watch t.v. so I wouldn't miss that but I'd say I'd be kinda bummed about not getting to talk with all of you any more. As for losing electricity, and appliances across the board as Juni said yeah I'd be really lost. I know how to build a fire, and I know how to preserve things but I'm not so sure I could handle loosing EVERYTHING.

[anunitu]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

It'd be crippling at first but I'd find a way to make due. It just depends on how widespread the electronic deprivation would be. Losing MY electronic toys (computers, phone, tablet, tv) and appliances would be one thing, but losing ALL electronics would be a different story. Paying for food, heat, running water, fuel would be more than just a little crippling. It would be devastating. So can you elaborate more on which electronics you're talking about?

Had not considered the "Other" electronics like atm's or electronic banking. Credit and debit cards as well. That in this day and age might be very crippling. I am from a time where cash was king,and most buying is done with cash even now. My daughter does the internet for me if I need something found online. I will admit to being a little off the grid,I do not have a cell phone,or a tablet,or even if I had a cell it would be the old school flip type,not a smart phone. My "Land line" is through the Internet carrier as is my tv. I am thinking of going back to a "Wire" land line,seems more reliable. Power outages I lose my phone as well as TV and internet.(Comcast) If I was younger I might be living in the total off the grid world.

[Näre]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

A couple of years ago, I had to spend a summer without my laptop. I didn't know when I could get it back (they said it would take a week... then another one... yet another) and I didn'ŧ have a smartphone either. It was an experience but I'm not entirely sure if I learned something from it... Probably not. I developed an addiction to cheap coffee places and buying pocket books on discount.

But it really makes one isolated. At the moment I need the internet for my studies and I spend far too much of my free time online as well but at least I can access the campus computers now. And smartphone. I'm a mental cyborg, the web is one of my non-physical limbs. Okay, this is getting weird. Nevermind.

[magusphredde]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

personal electronics? ... I have books and a shop ... All electronics? ... back to cash and postage stamps i guess ... and speaking of land lines ... even when the power went out i always could make a call ... as long as the phone lines were up ... and there is a voltage thru it that you can use for light with a little tinkering ...

[DragonsFriend]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

My only phone plugs into the wall. My son keeps trying to get me to get a cell phone but even if I did get one it would likely get left at home most of the time.
My computers have a lot of software that I use daily and I do get on a couple of forum boards daily. Most of my contacts are through email so I would be nearly down except for the few friends and family that have my phone number. If the land line phone is included in the electronics then I would likely use more gas to stay in touch with friends and family. We don't even have a TV or entertainment electronics. I guess I enjoyed having the extra time without them.

[MaskedOne]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

It's significantly easier to collect souls and sanity via the internet than without it. Removing my internet access complicates pizza acquisition. This is bad.

[DanieMarie]

Re: Lose your electronics:How much would you hurt if the goodies went away?

I don't think I could do without the internet forever. I enjoy not using it, but I do almost all my work online. If I didn't have a computer or the Internet, i'd have to find a new career.