The digital drought
There comes a time in every technophile's life when they must learn to adapt to a world without an internet connection, at least for a little while.
For me, that time is now.
Having recently moved house, I'm now in between connections and the better part of a week has been spent offline, except for at work and the occasional internet cafe visit.
On that note, I should apologise for my trickle of posts this week. I should be properly back online next week.
It's been an interesting experience, though. Where I would normally be spending my time scouring the net for interesting blog topics, I've been spending a lot of time exploring my new neighbourhood, without Google Street View, and I've actually found a bit of time off from the 'net to be enjoyable.
I did a quick tally up and discovered that, including work, I can spend up to 80 hours per week, or more, in front of a screen. When you look at it like that, I can't help but wonder what effect so much computer usage has on physical and mental wellbeing.
During extended periods of gaming, I used to find that once I stopped, it would still be circulating in my mind, which sometimes even extended into interrupted sleep.
How long do you spend in front of a screen each week? What sort of effect do you think too much computer usage has? Is it healthy?
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I don't dare count how much time I spend in front of a screen but it's always a wake up call to me when I am without a internet connection and get SO much more done.
To paraphrase the Simpsons
No internet and no Xbox makes Sirknz go something something.
Crazy?
Ok.
Work and home tech projects means I'm front of a PC about 16 hours a day. Without internet access my entire existence would come to an abrupt halt. It's inconceivable.
I manage to get some exercise, family time and sleep also fit into the remaining eight hours a day.
Meals happen in front of a computer usually.
In spite of all that I spend around 30 minutes a week playing computer games. The rest of the 'puter time is work.
Does constant use of dual-screens double the time I spend in front of a computer? If so, I probably spend more hours in front of a screen than there are in a week.
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"...and I've actually found a bit of time off from the 'net to be enjoyable."
Blasphemer! :-)
I can't imagine life without the Internet, but then again I require it for my work. I'm a software developer who is contracted fulltime to an American based company. As a result, having a working and reliable Internet connection at home is essential.
Since the arrival of my PS3 last year, I would no longer clock up 80 hours per week, but I certainly require it for at least 40. The rest of the family are also voracious Internet consumers (even my youngest, who is 8). Facebook (and in particular games like Farmville) is the latest craze to sweep them. I, on the other hand, grew tired of Farmville last year, when my farm got to the stage where if I wanted to significantly progress it further I'd have to purchase Farmville dollars.
I am probably the wrong person to ask about health effects, being so heavily reliant on computers, but I imagine the fact that I've had to wear glasses for the last 10 years probably speaks for itself. I also feel significant eye strain towards the end of the working week, and welcome time away from my computer screen.
We also ensure we regulate the time our kids spend on the computer, so they can get a healthy balance of outdoor pursuits as well (which thankfully they still enjoy very much).