What If Tomorrow You Lost Your Cellphone Forever?

(Photo by CiaoChessa)

What if I told you that tomorrow all of the world’s major communication devices were going to be destroyed?

Your Blackberry

Your Instant messaging client

Your Vonage LAN line

Your iphone

Everything that you use to communicate would be gone

What would happen?

People in today’s society are heavily influenced and dependent on communication, and the devices within it

Because we are so actively in communication with each other, it is no surprise that we have not only become reliant on the communication devices that we use in society, but more notably, we have become dependent on the people communicating to us through these devices

The advertisement that appears through your phone, the friend or family member offering advice, or ebook we read on our computer all heavily influence our thoughts and actions more than ever before

Are we using technology, or is it using us?

Technology as is stands is miraculous

We are able to live longer, faster, better, and stronger as a direct result of the many technological advances that have occurred over the past millennium

But the countless amount of people who bury their faces in their iphones and computer screens (the new versions of TV) for hours on end and do not take an active enough part in natural communication and expression with their peers, are likely being consumed by the very products they are using

I believe that technology has become so ingrained into who we are that to separate electronics from today’s newest generations could result in the equivalent of having a beloved pet hamster bite the dust, utterly traumatic. People are so engraved with technology that vacations and relaxation are not even  possible (http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/08/10/fashion/10vacation.html)

This means that society and technology are one in the same, and that means that we are becoming victims of the things we own instead of using them as they are meant to be, tools

Now I’m not trying to rid the world of xboxs, tvs, iphones, and other amazing technological advances

But think about it, when was the last time you didn’t have the TV on?

When did you last check your cell phone for messages?

How long were you last on the computer for?

What I am concerned about is how influenced people are by their technology, because we are so collectively dependent on it, we tend to be heavily influenced by its messages, and as a result we are loosing our individual uniqueness and ability to stand out as individuals

We pass our consciousness unto the collective, and therefore the way we dress, act, walk, are all influenced by society, instead of defining who we are by our own terms

Acting through others, instead of through ourselves

As a result, we are developing a Stand Alone Complex or to “represent a phenomenon where unrelated, yet very similar actions of individuals create a seemingly concerted effort”, or more simply, when something is a part of a whole, but acts on its own, as an individual

Stand alone complex may sound like a new video game, but in fact it is something that we can use to drastically impact our lives

We are all part of the whole, as in, we are all part of society and consequently, technology

But we have the ability to choose what influences us at any given moment

Communication technology does not have be seen as the lifeline of our existence

Instead view technology for what it is

A tool

If we begin to limit the amount of time we spend using communication technology such as TV, cellphones, and computers we will have more free time to openly and expressively communicate on a more intimate level with other people

When we communicate more actively with others in person, we further cultivate who are, and who we are not through interactions with others

This is what defines us, and helps make each person unique

A stand alone complex then becomes the ability for you to stand out as an individual in society

Amidst all the blackberries, internet, advertisements, and social taboos, you effectively stand out as a person who is unique and defined by the terms you set

This is powerful and necessary in order to feel more alive as a human being

By setting aside technology, we effectively set aside how society views us, and ultimately their expectations of who we are as individuals

And while we want to be a part of both, we do not want to be consumed by the identity created  for us by society and the technology it utilizes

By realizing that you are your own person, who does not have to be strapped down by their face book profile, or the endless streams of text messages, you can reconnect with other people on a real human level, and thereby further understand who you are as an individual in society

I challenge you to put down your blackberry and turn off face book for an entire day

Go out and talk to people

Converse with strangers, friends, lovers, and everyone in between, and rediscover what it means to be a individual in society, instead of part of society

This is the essence of the stand alone complex

You will find that even the most basic of conversations about the most mundane topics is infinitely more fulfilling and unique than any wall posting on face book or arbitrary email you receive

Go out and reconnect