Erin Wooddell
The millennial generation is often accused of being irreversibly attached to modern-day technology. As someone who often visits family in an area without cell phone service and minimal access to Wi-Fi--where I don’t miss being constantly connected--I've taken offense to that blanket generalization.
Yesterday, however, after forgetting my laptop charger, I began to realize I am actually very attached to having computer access at work.
The eye-opening discovery went a little like this:
The millennial generation is often accused of being irreversibly attached to modern-day technology. As someone who often visits family in an area without cell phone service and minimal access to Wi-Fi--where I don’t miss being constantly connected--I've taken offense to that blanket generalization.
Yesterday, however, after forgetting my laptop charger, I began to realize I am actually very attached to having computer access at work.
The eye-opening discovery went a little like this:
1 p.m.: And my computer's dead. No big deal. I’ll just check email on my phone and work with pen and paper. I’ve always loved writing with pen and paper, so it’ll be a fun throwback. Plus, what’s the point of having a smart phone if not for circumstances like these?
1:30 p.m.: How the heck do I filter messages in my Outlook app?
Let me Google it.
Ugh, working from app-to-app is not nearly as convenient as working from tab-to-tab on my computer.
2 p.m.: Whatever. I should use this time to focus on content, anyway, Let me get some paper and a pen…
2:05 p.m.: What on earth? Is that my handwriting? I thought I perfected it in the 10th grade, but that looks horrible. It’s practically illegible!
2:10 p.m.: My hand is cramping. Literally cramping! Is this because I’m out of practice? Does typing use a different set of muscles? Should I be exercising my hand muscles? Oh dear, I've probably spent all this time in the real world neglecting my poor hand muscles.
2:15 p.m.: Maybe it'll be easier if I write in shorthand, instead?
2:17 p.m.: Well, shorthand isn’t at all helpful if I can’t make out what I’m writing.
2:20 p.m.: I think I’ll go get a snack.
2:30 p.m.: Guess I should check email... Oh, look! Instagram!
2:40 p.m.: OK, back to writing.
2:47 p.m.: Seriously, how did I used to do this all day, every day in high school and college? Are my weak hand muscles a result of old age? I guess some things do change in your late twenties.
1:30 p.m.: How the heck do I filter messages in my Outlook app?
Let me Google it.
Ugh, working from app-to-app is not nearly as convenient as working from tab-to-tab on my computer.
2 p.m.: Whatever. I should use this time to focus on content, anyway, Let me get some paper and a pen…
2:05 p.m.: What on earth? Is that my handwriting? I thought I perfected it in the 10th grade, but that looks horrible. It’s practically illegible!
2:10 p.m.: My hand is cramping. Literally cramping! Is this because I’m out of practice? Does typing use a different set of muscles? Should I be exercising my hand muscles? Oh dear, I've probably spent all this time in the real world neglecting my poor hand muscles.
2:15 p.m.: Maybe it'll be easier if I write in shorthand, instead?
2:17 p.m.: Well, shorthand isn’t at all helpful if I can’t make out what I’m writing.
2:20 p.m.: I think I’ll go get a snack.
2:30 p.m.: Guess I should check email... Oh, look! Instagram!
2:40 p.m.: OK, back to writing.
2:47 p.m.: Seriously, how did I used to do this all day, every day in high school and college? Are my weak hand muscles a result of old age? I guess some things do change in your late twenties.
3 p.m.: Email time.
3:10 p.m.: Autocorrect, you fool! Stop it, already. I am typing real, legitimate words that I fully intend to use. Your recommendation changes are completely ridiculous and getting on my nerves.
3:20 p.m.: Enough of that. Let’s update my to-do list in my planner. Opens planner to the next day. OK, now I’m overwhelmed.
3:40 p.m.: Wow, I’ve been writing awhile. Surely it’s almost 5!
3:41 p.m.: Glances at the clock. Nope.
4 p.m.: One hour to go, thank goodness!
4:10 p.m.: This is undoubtedly the longest hour of my life.
4:40 p.m.: Is it too soon to start packing up?
6:10 p.m.: Get home, plug charger into computer to tie up some loose ends. Experiences sensation of serious relief. Hello, love! I sure have missed you today.
3:10 p.m.: Autocorrect, you fool! Stop it, already. I am typing real, legitimate words that I fully intend to use. Your recommendation changes are completely ridiculous and getting on my nerves.
3:20 p.m.: Enough of that. Let’s update my to-do list in my planner. Opens planner to the next day. OK, now I’m overwhelmed.
3:40 p.m.: Wow, I’ve been writing awhile. Surely it’s almost 5!
3:41 p.m.: Glances at the clock. Nope.
4 p.m.: One hour to go, thank goodness!
4:10 p.m.: This is undoubtedly the longest hour of my life.
4:40 p.m.: Is it too soon to start packing up?
6:10 p.m.: Get home, plug charger into computer to tie up some loose ends. Experiences sensation of serious relief. Hello, love! I sure have missed you today.