These years new technology emerged. Laptops keep getting cheaper and smaller, PC is getting left behind. Phones becomes smarter. Cars become more technologically advanced, TVs got slimmer, Internet becomes 2.0, Black Berry is a HIT. In other words, new technology emerges, offering better connection, better reach, better efficiency. But the question remains.. does it provide better life? Happier life?
Recently, the most happening fashion and technology is Black Berry. People can message one another in an instant. All emails are being pushed to the Black Berry in no time. Lot's of my customers and colleague showed me how cool Black Berry is and it is simple to use.
On the other hand I had a boss who owned one of the biggest software company. He does not have any plasma TV or LCD TV, no laptop, only PC at his desk, and get this... he got no cell phone... I mean in this day and age, no cell phone!? I mean, he is supposed to be one of the most technologically advanced person, since he own tech company and he is a programmer... meaning supposed to be a tech guy. His reason was simple... SIMPLICITY IN LIFE.
WOOOOOW... that means all the gadgets and stuffs that we have may actually cause us more headache instead of helping our lives. I kept thinking about it and it may have the truth in that statement. Think about these:
1. Before cell phone. We use letter. Getting a reply 3 months later is a great gift. But now with cell phone, if you don't get a reply in one second, they you will get frustrated. The same goes to the other person. If you don't reply back the SMS in one second, the other party will think you are ignoring them.
2. BlackBerry, just a worse form of cellphone with faster SMS system. For a while it seems fun to be able to receive messages instantly, but soon, too many messages comes in, wanting to be replied ASAP, while you are still in the middle of works that require concentration or physical effort that prevent you from replying back. Then people will think you are ignoring them since they know you had Black Berry, you should be getting the message SOON and will not be FAILING to send. At least SMS can still fail in sending. You can use this as an excuse to rest yourselves.
3. Instant messenger. So instant it bothers me so much.
4. With new cheaper and smaller laptop. You can carry your works everywhere. So, no more excuse not to finish on schedule. But beware, the schedule gets tighter since you can work any where and any time. What people forgot is that you need time for rest, for yourselves, and especially for GOD. In other words with the advancing of technology people will expect you to sacrifice all that personal times for them only.Even during writing this blog, I was interrupted with 2 phones, make that 4, no 5, phone calls, and 6 instant messages and 3 SMSes. I need about 1 minute to get back to what I was doing each time I am interrupted, not to mention work colleagues that needs to talk to you about software engineering.
Can you imagine what happened if I had a BlackBerry? That is why although many people suggest me to get BlackBerry, I don't want to. It's like getting $700 tools to make you more stress. And that is stupid to buy things that make you stressed. Why don't you just hire a super expensive professional killer to kill yourselves.
Lastly, all the people that owns Black Berry that I know of and that uses it for working no longer "INSTANTLY" reply back to any messages sent to their Black Berry. They just looked at the message, sigh, and then put the Black Berry on the table for later if their headache healed before they can reply back.
So... choose your poison.
