Initial Thoughts
My current relationship with technology is that I rely on it a lot more (as of lately) than I would like to. I can recognize when I go on my phone that takes me away from being present with people and homework but I also, for the most part, can push myself to get off and be productive (only when the task is school related).
It is truly hard to pin what exactly satisfaction means, the gauge of measurement fluctuates depending on the matter. Technological satisfaction to me feels like it refers to how I might feel overall about my phone in terms of usefulness? I would answer, pretty well! I think with that question I would be satisfied with what technology does for us at this point in time. Things can be searched in the matter of seconds, it makes citing easier, it can connect us with people we haven’t seen, and more. Deducting points for satisfaction would come with the negatives of all points previously mentioned. Social media I engage in marks down the satisfaction points because those apps like facebook, spotify, and instagram are usually the ones to make me feel away from myself and others. I wouldn’t label any of that as unsatisfied or neutral with technology, maybe just unsatisfied with how I use it.
It is extremely hard for me to fill my time with things that are not screen related. After class, I find a way to wind down is to get on social media but with the comfort of my bed it is extremely easy for me to fall into an hour or more of screen time. What is the most challenging is that I recognize there is a problem and I know that I could use those two hours to work, to walk, or to partake in a productive hobby but I find it hard to do so when I am used to filling in time with a screen.
Technology to me is split into many sectors, two of which seem the most important to describe my relationship with technology. Screens: Ipads, laptops, and Iphones are just a few examples of what I immediately think of when I hear the word technology. This section in particular is how easily accessible the internet is. I think with how vast the internet is and easily accessible on our phones creates a larger problem for the population as a whole. People spend hours on their phone a day, mindlessly scrolling. Daily robots: things such as cars, toasters, radios, lamps, are technological devices but to me are different from screens because they absolutely make life easier without negatively affecting us in ways such as feeling insecure on social media. We have most definitely become reliant on technology such as a lamp and although there might not be negative effects on us emotionally, there is still light pollution!
What I am reflecting on is how useful technology can be but also destructive in many ways that we realize yet fail to act on– my goal at the end of this course is to build a better and healthier relationship with technology (emphasizing screen related tech) and to find productive ways to fill in the free time I have. I also hope that with a better relationship to technology I personally use, I can somehow develop a better relationship with other kinds of technology (cars, toasters, lamps) that helps our environment.
Nature:
My current relationship with nature I would describe as being adventurous while extremely restricting myself from actually exploring. I stay fully aware that being outdoors can be dangerous, even on a simple hike, which ultimately pulls me away from the scenery and people who may be around me. I try to find peace in nature but since I have ultimately never had one with it, it is difficult.
Satisfaction in relation to nature for me has always been whether or not I had a good time that overlooked all the bugs and my foot touching something unexpectedly in the water. When I get into the river on a hot summer day and ignore all the lyches in the still pools of water– I am satisfied. When I walk up chipman hill and see the unexpectedly beautiful view near the bench, it takes away all the huffing and puffing– I am satisfied. I think the end of a good day in nature is what brings me satisfaction. I do not feel connected to nature but that doesn’t bring down how satisfied I feel about it– I do feel challenged but not negatively. I know that my connection with nature can be altered if I let the fears go away!
Observations I have realized about nature come from two different perspectives: one being I like when I can have it in a controlled environment. When the light shines into my room, when I can open a window for a breeze and the screen is doing its best to keep the bugs out, or when I look and care for my many plants. That is part of enjoying nature but not fully submerging myself. The second one is the real outdoors. Recently I have found the sound of water moving in the ocean or river extremely calming to which I record a video so I can hear or admire it later. That does come with some challenges like accidentally touching moss or slimy rocks with tiny bugs on them– this is the real outdoors that I stay weary of but can appreciate to an extent.
Reflecting on nature, I can see that I have a difficult time finding a way to enjoy myself when there are critters or anything nearby that I don’t know. I also can see that I get at least one clear thought of how I am starting to love being in nature. Reflecting on how I see my relationship with nature is like the time I walked in the woods after a rainy day and loved the bounce and hollow sound the forest floor made but was scared to look down at my feet in fear of being near a frog or critter of some kind. My goal is to become comfortable with the things I see as challenges during my adventurous excursions and that be part of my satisfaction, not just the view at the end.