One entire year of living "deliberately" is incredible. I think that I could easily go a year without something small such as Facebook, but giving up my entire lap top, cell phone or TV would be an extreme adjustment. I don't think that living without technology sounds as devastating as living without human contact for a year. I would miss just being with someone and having company before I would miss my technology. I do want to point out that Thoreau did this when the amount of technology was substantially less prominent and developed as it is today, and he already boycotted the idea of it. There is a difference between him leaving the presence of technology, which he rarely used anyway, and someone who uses technology constantly to suddenly be cut off. But with that said, I still believe that he made some serious sacrifices and had the will power to do something that most people would not even attempt, let alone succeed.
I like that both writers believed in the idea of taking a "pause" from everyday life. I seldom practice this, but when I do I really enjoy the peace and quiet. It is so helpful to just sit and think sometimes and let your mind wander from the stresses that hang over you constantly. My favorite idea of Emerson's is the idea that envy is ignorance. I have come to realize this lately, it took me 19 years, but I actually understand it. I really like who I am, and I accept my flaws. I strive to always be a better person than I am now, but I do not envy who others are, what others look like, or what others have. Occasionally, everyone finds themself straying from their true beliefs, but I am always reminded of who I want to be and why. I like Thoreau's idea of living simply. Sometimes we get so caught up in the complicated drama created between friends, the stress of class, and the worry of what comes next that we overwhelm ourselves with detail. I want to try to put this idea of living simply into practice every day. I think sitting down at the end of the day and reminding yourself that tomorrow is another day can help keep yourself grounded. I like the idea of separating myself from all distractions for at least an hour a day to just let myself relax, let my mind wander, and enjoy the simplicity of life.
I think this would be virtually impossible for anyone with the "feed" to do. You really can't turn it off, which means you can never separate yourself from the distractions of life and enjoy a relaxing summer breeze. Even when Violet and Titus go to the beach to get away and try to live life they still have commercials running through their head the entire time. It is virtually impossible to live "deliberately" in a world such as the one portrayed in the novel Feed.
That is awesome that you like who you are. I don’t think I lived who I was until around 22 and I already had a kid and was married by that point. I understand how you think that Thoreau wasn’t giving up technology like we would these days because there is so much more, but I think that the railroad and the newspaper are just like our internet and TV just in a different tense. Just back then it was as hard to give up as cell phones and facebook are too us today it’s the 21st century not 1800’s. I agree that we need to find a happy medium in this world. I have lived several places, gone through things un imaginable, had drastic income difference and so much more I won’t go into in my short life . It makes me a better person and taught me to live more deliberately and take a pause every once in a while and I’m the better for it. It really is a shame our world doesn’t do it and realize it. Look at the economy of America right now it’s a perfect example of plenitude and not taking a pause. Out companies that seem to run allot of our thoughts and control the money pumping through America didn’t seem to do that like all the banks and car industry that need bail outs .. ummm don’t you wish they had take a pause or re adjust their plenitude altitudes. If big companies can’t get it right how do we expected society too?
ReplyDeleteI loved everything that you said in this post especially the part about simply living. Its hard to do it in our society but it is doable but people chose not to. This whole weekend my phone has been basically in my purse and I spent the entire time spending it with my friends around a bonfire. I realized that doing that, I have never felt so connected in my life to them. It was totally different then sending a text. I was really upset the past week and I was talking to my best friend over the phone but it wasnt the same as when she saw me this weekend, gave me the biggest hug and told me things would get better. Having that personal touch made me feel so connected, more than an email or text could ever do
ReplyDeletei really love how you know who you are and you dont let anyone dictate the way you act. I am the same exact way. I also like the idea of taking a "pause" everyday, everyone should take at least 20 minutes a day to relax and enjoy the beauty of life, the sad part is people would rather stay inside on their computers. We should all try to work toward living our lives more simply, and with less distractions from essential everyday tasks, i think we would all be surprised at how different our lives would seem1
ReplyDeleteThat was a really good post, I liked it a lot! :) I also really liked what you said about living simply. I agree, we should practice this everyday. I believe it can help us become a better person in a way, taking the time to just wander about things and think how you can make yourself better at anything you do. It makes me want to take time out of my day to just relax outside without distractions and just enjoy life. It seems like no one takes the time to do that anymore.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about needing to take a pause every now and then. I feel like I need to do this more often. I was stressing about my day a few days ago, my boyfriend suggested meditation which I had never thought of before, but just lighting a candle and sitting in the silence was nice and relaxing, something I am not used to.
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