Reflection 2: Computer Use

I intentionally set out on my travels sans laptop because I had been plugged in for so long at Olin, and because my laptop is kind of heavy. Either way, doing so helped me travel light, since being tethered to an Internet connection or an electrical outlet are just different kinds of baggage.

I found that when I was en route, I rarely wanted to use a computer. Now I'm not saying we shouldn't use computers. It would be unfair to make that generalization, as I wasn't trying to get any work done or make any complicated plans. But I am saying that there is no reason why I need a computer to keep myself entertained, even for periods of train travel in excess of 24 hours. And for me, it is desirable to minimize my contact with them because they are gateways to distraction.

When I was visiting someone, I invariably used their computer, unless they didn't have one. However, in these cases, my computer use was impacted by the fact that I was using the computer as a shared resource, rather than as something belonging solely to me. Because I knew there might be another requiring or desiring its use, I strove to use it as efficiently as possible. Without this pressure, I am tempted to spend too much time in front of a computer screen, as I have done while finishing up my blog at home. It's so easy to open up multiple extra tabs or programs for the sake of listening to some music, reading a little bit of news, and catching up with friends, all of which slow my writing, do not get my full attention, and ultimately divert me from doing the things I really want to do. So here's to finishing up these posts soon and minimizing distractions along the way.