Are We Blind To Our Dependency?

It's easy to answer 'no, of course not' whenever the question of dependency and addiction is raised about technology and media. Technology is a tool I use, it's just there, I'm not reliant on it at all, etc. It's easy to be dismissive of the impact of technology in our everyday lives. To think about it and say 'No, if my computer/cellphone/PSP was taken away tomorrow, I would function just fine'.

I generally think like that about everything from my computer to my iPod. A couple of weeks ago I discovered my own beliefs about my dependency of technology were a little bit skewed from reality. My laptop fried. I took it in to get fixed and discovered I'd be without it for about five days. At the time, I thought this was great. I wouldn't be without it for even a week.

By the end of Day 1 of Life Without Laptop, I was already wondering what on earth I actually did on the thing that required so much of my time. The day seemed to drag. Was time moving more slowly just to tease me? Along with being thoroughly bored, I also experienced the uneasy sensation of thinking I was missing something. By Day 3 I realised I was just a tiny bit addicted, but for the life of me couldn't think of what exactly I did on my laptop that was so important and time consuming.

An article on Digital Trends on the subject summed up the effect a blackout on the Eastern United States affected everyday life: "I was even unable to tell time without the numbers on the VCR and cable boxes."

This experience just really makes me wonder how unaware I am about my dependency on other forms of technology and media. How can we really tell how dependent we are on something until it's taken away?