English
We´re called the Wired Generation. But are we addicted to our devices? What did we do in our spare time before surfing the net from our phones became a way to kill time waiting for the train? We decided to find out.
4pm
Take one last look at Facebook before shutting down the laptop. Check that I know the PIN for the mobile before shutting it off. Kiss music goodbye for a while and put the iPod to sleep. Alright, all set for a day unplugged. I mean, come on, how hard can it be??!
4.30pm
Out of pure habit, flick on iPod. Dammit, have to start all over again.
4.30pm
Put iPod in backpack… If it´s close to hand, will accidentally turn it on again. Pocket feels empty without it and I keep wondering if I have lost something.
6.30pm
Waiting at the train station. Hands keep reaching for mobile and iPod. Must look like some kind of twitching pick-pocket. Check the station clock – has it really only been 40 seconds since I checked it last time?
7.30pm
Longest train ride of my life. Staring out the window with nothing to listen to except the sounds of other people´s annoying music pumping out of headphones and mobiles. Must get a book…
8pm
There´s a party going on that I didn´t know about. Facebook invitations and SMS follow-ups. Let me repeat this: There is a party going on that I DIDN´T KNOW ABOUT. Feel hollow, and empty. What else have I missed?
9.30pm
Made it home with a quick trip to the library for a real book. Forgot how much I liked these things.
11pm
In bed, reading. This is the earliest bedtime in months.
Next Morning: 8am (I think)
Wake up and reach for phone to check time. Nope, not going to happen. Confused, and lost. Starting to feel irritated by the lack of communication with the outside world. Have a question about today´s timetables and no way to access Google to find out the answers. Who did we ask before Google?
9am
On the train. Love the song I can hear leaking out of the headphones of the guy next to me. Wonder if he´ll mind if I lean closer to listen.
9.10am
He minds.
10.30am
How do I start my day without checking emails and Facebook? Maybe this was a stupid idea. How will clients get in touch with me? Calm down, and pull out a notepad and pen (remember those?) and start to write.
12.30pm
My wrist hurts.
2pm
Heading into the home stretch. Only two and a half more hours and I can go back on the grid. Starting to get excited and wonder how much news there is.
4 pm
Ok, let´s do it! Mobile phone goes back on: Sixteen text messages! None of them relevant. Facebook, here we come!
One hundred and forty-three emails. One hundred and twenty are junk, and the remaining twenty-three have been read and responded to. Apparently, some friends are renting apartments in Helsinki this weekend, but they ended up doing it without me. That´s about the worst that I missed. Not sure whether to be happy or disappointed that the world didn´t fall apart without me. What now? Nothing on TV. Fire up the iPod and catch up on a few tunes. Reach for that book.
