The Illusion of Convenience

The Illusion of Convenience. The purpose of technology is to perform a task. So much of our lives are so entwined with technology, that we’ve forgotten how to perform basic tasks. This is quite the conundrum because many of us couldn’t perform the task without aid of our devices. For example, who can recite the phone numbers of their immediate family members? How many twenty-somethings are capable of navigating without the aid of GPS, using only a map?  Do you rely heavily upon the spell check feature built into your word processing program of choice? Most troubling of all, simple addition and subtraction requires the aid of a calculator. Humanity has already become irrevocably changed- enslaved to the very technologies that we assumed would free us to do more with our time.

To be sure, there are many upsides to technology. The countless benefits we’ve reaped advances in medicine alone certainly justify the effort in the first place. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the financial prosperity that has accompanied this radical transformation. The issue with technology is that we go all in, to the detriment of other skills and priorities.

 I’m not suggesting that AI will become our new overlord or self-driving cars will develop anti-social personalities. No. I take exception to our current overreliance on apps and devices because they distract us from what matters most. We have been harmed in many ways by our overreliance on technology, but two stand out as the most significant. We have become alienated from each other at a time when we need others most and we have lost critical life and practical skills.

Obviously, I’m not suggesting a complete abandonment of technology and the mod cons we’ve all become so accustomed to. What I am suggesting, are practical steps to take to acquiring new skills.  

Work with What You’ve Got

Having generators is only part of it. Knowing how to use it before you need it ensures a better outcome. Turn it on and plug in the fridge and freezer. Ensure that everyone in the household knows how to do so. Equally, ensure that everyone knows what not to connect to the generator and why. Do you have a dual-fuel generator? What are the safety considerations? Whatever powered equipment you have on your supply checklist, everyone in the household must know how to safely and most effectively use it.

Put Down the Devices

At some point, our devices will be of no use to us. Assume that day is now and get offline- after reading this post, of course! Take a walk in the park; ride your bike to run errands is safe and practical to do so; walk the steps in the stadium at the local high school. Whatever it is, make a physical activity a part of your daily routine. The benefits to your health are immediate and, you’re increasing your odds of being able to survive should running or walking to safety be required.  

Talk to Others

This is a tough one and it’s among the most important. So far, you’ve practiced setting up the generators and you’ve lost a few pounds due to the increased physical activity. Awesome. The next step is to cultivate the willingness to talk to people, particularly those you don’t know. It goes without saying that under no circumstances will or should you say anything creepy, hostile, confrontational or just plain ugly. No. The purpose of this is to become comfortable and willing to engage others in random settings. Not talking to each other is how we got into this mess in the first place.  Unless someone asks you what you think, feel or believe, keep it to yourself. No one is inherently helped by knowing this information and the harm caused by oversharing is very real. Keep it to yourself. Be willing to get to know others before you share the heartbreak and disappointment you experienced in the third grade when you lost the spelling bee, fifty years ago.

Training  

I unpack various types of training in the post The ABCs. Read it, then do it. A better option is to do this with your family or a group of friends. If they’ve not already drank the Kool Aid, the training just might be the push they need to get after it. There’s also the added benefit of talking to the other people in whatever training you pursue. You already have idea of their mindset, easy conversations and gentle, yet pointed questions reveal if you’re a match. For the average fifty year old man, being able to bench press his body weight and run a mile in just under eight minutes is not a bad place to start. Throw in some First Aid/ CPR, as well as learning how to read a map and you're on to something. Again, do this with your group or talk to those around you while you're pursuing relevant training.

Plans and Promises

Both are essential in guiding our actions through life and they’re something we all do daily. Making specific plans for what to do in times of disaster and hardship is critical. It’s not a guarantee for survival, but it beats the hell out of simply winging it. As I’ve said before, people can and do survive disasters without training, equipment or a plan.

However, equipment, planning and training go a long way to ensuring a better outcome. This is a great thing to do with your family and group. There are massive bodies of research that suggest who survives is often decided within the first minute or two. Specifically, the decisions and actions taken are what truly matter. Now, pair this with the power of a well-trained group. A shared purpose and commitment unite and binds you together and allows you to share, strategize, plan, sacrifice and recover from repeated disasters and keep going. Sounds like a winning proposition to me.   

We’re only going to become ready, resourceful and resilient if we prioritize being ready, resourceful and resilient. It’s that simple. On the subject of things we no longer do, what happened to writing letters?