Techno-avoidance, or the avoidance and control of emotional discomfort through the use of our technological mechanisms is exerting growing individual and sociological impacts. Increasingly, we use smart phones, televisions, computer games, texting, and so on as a means to reduce unpleasant feeling states such as loneliness, boredom, alienation, isolation, meaninglessness, powerlessness, etc. Now, to be sure, these are all wonderful technologies that offer many wonderful opportunities for communication, creative expression, transmission of knowledge, connectivity and so on. Used un-mindfully however, they can form ensnaring dependency and actual technology addiction, increased isolation and alienation, idleness, depression, erosion of social skills, degradation of certain neurological processes, increased requirements for external stimulation and so on.
Faces of control: techno-avoidance. Is this our future?
I can recall that when I was growing up in New York City, the “Great electrical black-out of 1965″ occurred that struck much of the northeast and power was out for about 2 days. For kids at that time, this was generally regarded with excitement since it meant you got the opportunity to do things by candlelight. Families played board games and spent a lot of time together. Nine months later was even marked by a mini baby boom for obvious reasons! I remember being quite upset when the power came back on. Now what to you suppose would happen now if their was a blackout. I personally doubt that kids would be overjoyed. My guess is that they would have little clue as to how to spend their time.
So how can one determine whether their utilization of technology is out of balance? One indicator is simply the amount of time relative to other pursuits. So a question might be, ” If I wasn’t playing a computer game, what else might I be doing?” But perhaps the more important question to ask is , “If i wasn’t on Facebook, what would I be feeling?” Am I doing this to decrease or avoid certain uncomfortable feelings?
The reality is, that individuals who tend toward depression, feelings of loneliness, alienation, and personal shame and social skill deficiencies are more likely to spend inordinate amounts of time playing video games, fantasy role-playing, chat rooms and so on in the hopes of greater feelings of connectivity and worth.
So, as a check on this, it is advisable to take a break from one or more devices or pursuits. What feelings arise as you leave your home without your cell phone, don’t play World of Warcraft, or don’t rush to check your e-mails or be a car passenger ride without your MP-3L? Research indicates that one might actually experience not only psychological but physical signs of withdrawal when attempting this. One might notice increased heart rate, generalized agitation, difficulty sleeping and so on. Our brain actually becomes dependent on the little squirts of dopamine (a neurochemical that serves the reward/pleasure centers in the brain) that are released when we hear the “ping” of a text message arising from our cell phone as an example. So part of our over-reliance may be purely out of habit and dependence. Much of it however, may well be that we are using technologies as a means of medicating, distracting and avoiding deep seated [painful feelings. If the later is the case, then ultimately, it would be wise to mindfully embrace the feelings of loneliness, isolation, anxiety or other feelings that we are are avoiding.
Tips for techno use:
1) Determine how much time of the day you spend on TV, cell phones, texting, computers, video games, mp-3 etc.The results may be a bit shocking.
2) Make a list of things you could otherwise enjoy doing if you decreased time spent utilizing technologies.
3) Make a list of feelings you may be avoiding by your use of specific tech toys.
4) Indicate what feelings you are afraid to experience if you went a day without using technology.
5) Spend a day on a technology fast. Consider at least a partial fast (staying away from at least one or more devices).Indicate what feelings came up during that fast.
6) If it feels that such an endeavor is unimaginable for emotional reasons, consider seeking professional assistance.
7) List what you would love to do if there was a blackout. Let’s assume for this exercise that heat and food availability was not an issue.
