I read an article today in the New York Times about what this computer age is doing to our brains. (Favorite line: This is your brain on computers.) It was kind of scary to think of what we’ve done and are doing with our crazy need to be plugged in 24-7 to news and technology.
The article said that computer users at work change windows or check email or other programs nearly 37 times an hour. I’m pretty sure that in my line of work, I do more than that. A lot more. And seeing as I’m probably not one of the less-than-three-percent of the population deemed “supertaskers,” it stresses me out. And the amount of information and emails and news I see a day only adds to that feeling.
So tonight, after a packed tube ride home, I decided to unplug. I went for a run. Only my second time in I’m ashamed to admit how long. I didn’t bring a phone or my iPod. (Having started my running days with cross country in high school – back when a Walkman was the latest form of cool, I’ve actually never run with music.)
It was so refreshing to hear the sounds of the city and nature around me. Snippets of conversations I normally shut out with earphones. The ebb and flow of traffic. Birds singing. Wind rustling leaves. The sounds of opera in the park wafting over the voices of people waiting to go into the tent. Rain falling gently through the trees. Dogs barking and playing. Kids hanging out.
Life in acoustic.
I should unplug more often.
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