After a quick Google search, I learned that in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, an Amish man checks his voicemail, has light operated turn signals on the carriage of his horse and buggy, and uses a power drill to increase the speed of production in his business. A NPR article and podcast, Amish Community Not Anti-technology, Just More Thoughtful by Jeff Brady highlighted that, yes, the Amish do not believe the American rhetoric that new technology is better. However, some Amish affiliations recognize the benefits of some modern technology, but they are more thoughtful with their use of it.
Across the American Amish population, there are 40 different affiliations, but they all have different ideas about the use of technology: some are open to the idea of new technologies being used mindfully, such as, to increase production in businesses, while others continue their conservative ways without modern technology. Ben, who only wants to be referred to as his first name out of respect for Amish beliefs, says "...new technologies take...place between the push of progress and the pull of tradition".
A video produced by NBC Left Field highlights an Amish and Mennonite community, Pinecraft, Florida, where the rules regarding technology are much more relaxed than in other Amish and Mennonite communities around the country. Visitors and those who reside there full time ride bikes to get from and to place, use iPads in businesses, and one woman even started a podcast with her friends to "reach that word of God as far and wide as [she] can". So, even here, in a community where the rules of modern technology aren't as rigid for the Amish members, their use of technology is intentional and purposeful.
So, this stream of consciousness brings me back to my initial question of an everyday American's ability to avoid technology. In a short, personal answer, the answer to this question is no. I believe that even with hard work and very intentional strategy, not using technology would eliminate so much from use that the average American engages with at least once a day, especially as a college student. For me, if I decided to not use modern technology (i.e. smartphone, laptop, etc.), I wouldn't even be able to be enrolled in this class since we are required to use the internet to post blogs, live tweet documentaries, and just have general conversations about technology in today's world.
However, I am drawing this conclusion based on personal experience and knowing myself and my daily life. Some people may be able to go about their days with no technology use very simply. I also recognize the benefits to reducing technology use. From an article by Lauren Van Sickle, a marketing intern at Griffith College in Ireland, benefits of "switching technology off" are things such as better sleeping habits, a decrease in anxiety and an increase of happiness, and more time for "living in the moment".
This article has made me consider trying to reduce my technology use, or at least be more mindful of the use. What do you think about this topic? Could you reduce your technology use, or eliminate it completely? Do you think certain demographics would have different challenges reducing their technology use, such as college students in America?
I like that you immediately thought of the Amish in the context of the reading, I didn't even think of it until you brought it up. But now that I'm thinking about it, I think this is a really good example of of the influence of modern technology.
ReplyDeleteI remember going to Walmart in Ohio with my grandma and my cousins and seeing an Amish family for what, if I'm remembering correctly, was the first time. At the time I was more focused on how differently they dressed they were than we were (this was early-2000s, so my cousins and I were all wearing jeans and brightly-colored tops), but looking back on it later, I realized that I thought it was strange that they were in a Walmart. Of course, I doubt they were buying a TV or anything like that, but they were certainly surrounded by technology, and that was unavoidable and very of-the-times. Thinking about this experience has drawn out another memory of seeing an Amish man with a flip phone; again, it was at least 6 years ago, but by then I knew more about the cultural expectations and wondered if that was "allowed." Now that I think about it, though, it must have been unavoidable; especially because some of the things Amish communities are known for are their food and their furniture, and certainly at the time it was popular for non-Amish customers to try to contact Amish businesses. I wonder if that man was a businessman who had to be reachable by his customers outside of just selling in person.
This article was so interesting. I remember dropping my sister off at Bucknell in Lewisburg Pennsylvania and seeing horses and buggies and their Amish owners and not having a clue why they looked or acted like that. After my sister explained their culture a bit I was shocked. I went back to my elementary school telling everyone what I had seen. Back then, in fourth grade, technological life had not encapsulated my life like it has now. In those days the highest piece of technologies we cared about were our nintendogs, portable DVD players and the fancy new Smartboards that all the teachers raved about, but none of them seemed to know how to work. Technology was not in our back pocket yet. It was shocking because it was new, I think trying it out would be even more of a shock to my system now.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very possible to use technology more careful and mid-fully. I could stand to get out and take a breath of fresh air, embrace friends and nature in a way not distracted by a screen. Maybe a social media sabbatical and even a break from TV and Netflix would be good for our mental health. How ever, when it comes to things like school and work in my life now and in the future, I do not see my self being able to cut out technology.
I thought this article was extremely interesting. Bringing the Amish community into the conversation brought a whole new approach to if it is possible to avoid technology in this technology-driven world. I have been interested in the Amish community and how they can use minimal technology in their daily lives. This past summer I went to Hershey, Pennsylvania to go to Hershey Park. We didn’t go through the Amish area too much, but we did see some of them as we were driving through. It was interesting because we saw some riding bikes and dealing with the farm and animals. Then while we were at Hershey Park we saw a different family in the Hershey factory. I thought that was interesting because of the use of technology is really up to the family and where they live. The Amish family who was working on the farm probably used technology far less than the family that was at Hershey Park. I think I would be able to use my phone less during the day especially if I am busy, but right now it would be nearly impossible for me to not use my computer. In the summer I believe it would be easier for me to disconnect from my computer and phone since I wouldn’t rely on them for school. Yet, I don’t think I could go much further than using technology less. At this point in my life I don’t think I would be able to eliminate using technology as all together.
ReplyDeleteThis article got me thinking about how much technology I actually use in my day to day life. I like how your mind instantly goes towards the Amish. When I think of a technology free life I think back to last semester when I had a class with Metty. We watched part of a film that was called Gods Must be Crazy. It was about a tight knit tribe in an African desert not very far from a bustling city. The tribe used no modern technology whatsoever, when suddenly a glass coke bottle falls from the sky (an airplane) and consumes their everyday lives. The bottle proves to be a very useful tool to them, and becomes the most popular object among them. However, they eventually argue over who gets to use it, and it starts to tear them apart. I feel like this film is a symbolism for modern technology and its effects on society. Though technology may not tear us apart literally, it does consume our everyday lives, and effect or interpersonal relationships.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9VCHSv0poU
This tribe does actually exist, and they are still technology free, and the Amish (for the most part) refrain from using technology, so I do feel like it is possible to live a technology free life if the individual is willing to put in the work for it. That is the thing though, to live a tech free life you literally have to work for it. Especially in today’s society in America, technology dominates everything, even the workplace. We don’t realize how much technology we use because we’ve consumed our lives with it. It is an interesting thought and a great article.