In 2003 I headed off for college. I brought all the usual necessities along with my collection of CDs and books and feeling fairly prepared for the days and weeks ahead. As I went from class to class I started to notice my fellow classmates were pulling out laptops as opposed to notebooks. Not only that, but my professors were making references to Blackboard. I wasn't sure what they were meaning when they said the assignments were posted there, but I nodded my head as though I understood.
Walking around campus I noticed a slew of cell phones. Nothing to the extent of what is available now, nor to the extent of the number of people using them. Still, I couldn't help but wonder what was so fascinating about "texting".
Around 2004-2005 I began hearing about Myspace and Facebook. Of course I had no interest in wanting to know more, I was more interested in guitar! Once I was told that I could put music "online" then I started to take notice of Myspace.
Let me clarify before moving on. I did use the internet while in high school, but I found it to be a waste sitting and waiting 30 mins for a webpage to load only to have to start over when I was knocked off the dial up connection. Also, I knew some people that had cell phones, but those where almost useless where I grew up. To this day, when I go back to visit my parents we have no cell reception.
"Hey man! Did you get my voicemail/text last night?"
"What are you talking about. I was in my dorm last night and the phone never rang. Wait, did you say text?"
"Yeah man, I sent you a text about coming to play some music last night"
"That's my dorm phone you texted. I don't have a cell phone."
It wasn't until I was in my 20's that I had a cell phone. I drug my feet as long as possible but I realized that I was missing potential opportunities. In fact, when I first had the phone I didn't really look at it or check for messages.
In 2006 I came across YouTube. I was amazed by the videos I was able to find of my favorite groups performing live. I was also amazed by the amount of nonsense as well!
In 2007 I noticed a handful of Iphones starting to appear. I wasn't really interested and once again drug my feet before having one myself years later.
Recently I heard the term Xennial used to discuss my generation, which is the generation that remembers not having the internet and is old enough to have remembered and felt the effects of 9/11. I definitely remember not having the internet and being okay with that. Now, it has gotten to a point to where we can't run from technology.
Here's the good. We have access to a plethora of information and can "connect" with people and reach people that once seemed unimaginable. We can bypass the system if we choose, in order to release music, writings, art, etc. We can create businesses and join together to push a cause.
The bad. We spend way too much time "researching" as opposed to practicing and working on our art and business. We use social media tools to attack others and to start arguments in which we cannot perceive slight nuances in speech and body language. We compare ourselves to others and don't take the time to be conscious of our own achievements or lack thereof.
How difficult do you find it to be to put down your phone? Can you walk away from it for a couple hours and focus on those priorities that will further your ambitions? Maybe take a break to more fully engage with your bandmates while on break at your next gig instead of constantly looking to see who is texting and checking Snapchat.
The technology in our hands is a great tool, but one that can increase a broad knowledge as opposed to a more focused endeavor. Maybe it's time to Get Off Your Phone!
