Technology

By: Christine Hersom

(3 min read)

It seems like our whole life revolve around technology. We used to pull out our pad of paper and write a story, poem or make a journal entry. Now we pull out the laptop, sit at the desktop, and if we’re desperate we use our smart phone. I am guilty of all these things. I do “jot” notes down that I might use later in my writing, but I never write fully on a pad of paper like I used to back in the day.

This whole “technology addiction” was brought home to me last week on my vacation. At the beginning of vacation, my “smart” watch died. I mean it wasn’t JUST in need of a charge, it needed a funeral. I couldn’t believe it. I love a watch. Once I entered the world of smart watches, I became hooked. It counted my steps, checked my oxygen levels, and always showed my heartbeat. It was amazing. On top of this, it told me the time. Amazing right? 

It was all amazing and fun until it died. That first day without my watch was like being without my brain. I felt I couldn’t possibly walk around the campground or walk down to the beach. How would I know how many steps I took? Is my resting heartrate, okay? I feel sniffly…is my oxygen level good? It was horrible. I sat in my chair and sulked. My plethora of information was gone, and I couldn’t tell what time it was or if I was sick or going to die. I felt I needed to have this fixed asap. Everyone camping looked at me and laughed. They asked me what I had done before the smart watches became available. While I was mad at their laughter, it did make me look at myself a little closer. Was I going to die without the watch? The short answer was no. The longer answer was if it disabled me that much without the watch, then I probably would die sooner than I wanted. Not moving means unhealthy. 

Before smart watches were a thing, I was able to tell time, and I knew if I had spent enough time up and moving. It is safe to say that if my heartrate was too high or too low, my body would recognize it. I was never worried about my oxygen level until that neat little piece of information showed up on my watch. I bet I checked my oxygen level three times a day with the watch.

I have to say in all honesty that I am not sure why we call them “smart” watches. While the watch may be very smart keeping track of everything for us, they make us stupid. Case in point…my broken watch crippled me for an entire day. I bet I checked for my heartrate on my wrist fifteen times. It was fine by the way.

I didn’t fix the watch or replace it while on vacation. I went without it for six days. The first couple of days were hard. I would look to see what time it was, and the only thing on my wrist was a farmer’s tan where the watch used to sit. I would become so frustrated and ask everyone what time it was. I forgot that the “smart” phone could tell me the time. Don’t even get me started on the phone. This blog would turn into a novel.

I do plan on replacing my smart watch because I enjoy it. But I hope that this time I won’t let it consume me. My goal is to not check my oxygen level at all unless ill. Before the watch, I lived fifty-five years without my watch telling me if I was okay. I can probably continue living without that information. Technology can be wonderful and fun, but it shouldn’t take over our common sense.

What I learned from the death of the smart watch was that technology is slowly taking us over. We can’t function without it. I did a little survey of my grandchildren and asked if they would write me a story on a pad of paper. The two older one’s looked at me like I was insane. My grandson informed me that he doesn’t even like writing his name, much less a story. Technology is taking over. In some areas it is great. Laptops are faster than writing by hand, but in my opinion, there is something special about a new notepad and pen. I loved writing by hand and being able to touch the words that I had written. I miss that the most with technology. 

Christine Marshall Hersom
All Things Wellness, LLC
christinehersom@yahoo.com

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