Cutting gmail out? Ouch. That hurt. I regularly have gmail up in my first tab on Chrome and constantly found my eyes wandering over to see if I had any new emails. Most of the communication for my two jobs is through email, so I found it really hard not to justify checking my email every time it said "Inbox (1)" on the tab. I probably had my eyes wander over to that tab over 50 times throughout the day. This is partly because I program a website and I have to use the internet browser so it is always up; partly because it is habit. I'll freely admit that I'm addicted to gmail (with all its amazing filters and features).
My younger friends would die without facebook and texting, it is a very social activity for them. The upperclassmen that responded said they could cut everything but email. My friends who traveled this last summer brought up a good point though: if everyone knows you won't be checking your email more than once a month or so, they won't expect a quick response, so they email you less often and only with important questions.
A regular theme I found - society expects me to constantly be in communication, and there can be consequences if I'm not connected 24/7. Teachers give last-minute assignments, TAs send last-minute suggestions for a project or announcements, roommates forgot their immunization records for their doctor's appointment and need me to bring them. While the expectation remains for a quick response, that is what I must give.
3 comments:
I really know what you mean about society expecting me to be connected, and I kind of do the same to be honest. I try not to check email on Sundays and so it's really frustrating when you get last minute updates about class on Sunday. Also I remember when I really needed to get a hold of my sister and i can't tell you how frustrated I got because she wouldn't answer her phone. I knew it was because she had probably put her phone down and walked away but it was interesting to see how I also expected that of others.
People always know that they have a way to contact you and it can be stressful trying to keep up with everything. It seems acceptable in society to send an email about an assignment last minute, because it is assumed that people frequently check there emails.
It does become very tempting when it is right in front of you. Maybe cutting out all technology at once would be easier than limiting things or only abstaining from Facebook or Gmail...I also agree with you about the danger that can be found in these technologies taking away so much time!
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