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Who needs technology? Oh, I do.

By February 23, 20102 Comments

My old cell phone grew erratic. It shut itself off, even when the battery was fully charged. Sometimes it refused to shut off. At time it would not hang up after a call. I heard the technology gods whispering that it was time to buy an iPhone.

I bowed to the altar of technology, bought an iPhone, and taught myself what I could about it. I didn’t get it going strong, though, until a (much younger) friend gave me a tutorial. Soon I was up and running, downloading apps, searching Google, adding ring tones, making videos, taking photos, adding contacts, identifying birds with an electronic field guide, answering e-mails, and oh, occasionally answering a phone call. Within two days I was mad about the device, totally hooked. I was in technology heaven–for four days.

On day four, the iPhone froze, crashed, and would not start back up. How could I call anyone? I had all my phone numbers stored on it. What if someone sent an e-mail while I was away from my computer? What kind of bird was sitting on the branch near me while I walked my dog? How could I live?

After going online with my desk computer and reading how to reboot a dead iPhone, I got the contraption going again, but it made me think. Do we own technology or does it have a hold over us? I already know the answer. Will I give up my iPhone, my computer, my electronic thermostat, my digital camera, DVR, the Internet, or even my microwave, though? No way! I can vent, but I won’t relent and go back to carbon paper, mimeographs, party lines, or any of that ancient stuff. I’m a modern woman, darn it. Meanwhile, if you need to reach me, call my office; don’t rely on reaching me on my high-tech iPhone.

Bobbie Christmas

Editor Bobbie Christmas is your book doctor. She can also be your mentor, ghostwriter, copywriter, and writing and publishing consultant. After spending decades writing and editing for a living, Bobbie became a much-sought-after seminar and workshop leader. She began Zebra Communications in 1992 in Atlanta, Georgia, to provide professional editing services to publishers and to writers like you.

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