Technology overload. ‘Double Teamed’ plays. Photo by Katelyn Avery.

My generation is overly connected. As a 20 something I have absorbed way too much media, and not enough life. Sometimes life comes in the form of two (men’s) lacrosse sticks, that get pushed to the side near the “my coke rewards” points, because I avoid the outside for electronics. Despite not owning an iPod, iPhone (but my Mom has one), or tablet, the computer and TV have me hooked.

Before moving into a residence hall I would automatically turn on the TV every morning, followed by the family laptop. The only thing that ever changed was the order in which each device went on.

Old Disney Channel Original Movies, shows like ‘Shameless’ and ‘Ridiculousness’, and some movies sucked me in during all of my free time. I would surf between great stories and immaturity.

Sometimes I would turn down the volume real low, and watch YouTube videos, but I would never turn either device off. Both of them were like little “worlds” that I had to be a part of. Most of it is mind numbing, but I was addicted to having media come at me from two sources. On the rare occasions that the computer was moved to the dining room, or I just didn’t turn on the TV, I surprised myself about how long I had paused one of the “worlds”. Other times I felt like I missed something if I didn’t have everything on. My addiction grew, but I was not alone.

My generation has complete access to the media, and I don’t break any stereotypes. Even if I don’t have one of those amazing iPhones. I only enjoy my Mom’s because of the picture and video quality. She has an iPhone 4, so it’s durable. Thank God a phone upgrade wasn’t around the bend. It would have dented her wallet too much, and no one in the house had spare pocket change for a luxury item.

Now a junior, in a college dorm, I don’t have a TV in my room, so only my laptop goes on. There’s a TV lounge, but I don’t bring my laptop there. My mind couldn’t be clearer. I have stopped home a few times, and yes, I start my old habits again, but they are not as bad anymore. I can only relapse for 2 1/2 days.

If I ever get bad again I can use the dining room as a computer room, and only watch TV in the living room. Only a few inches separates the space, but I did this during community college, and it works.

My partial disconnect has allowed me to focus more. Procrastination hasn’t been wrestled out of me, and neither has garbage TV or videos, but only opening one “world” at a time has been an excellent experience. My brain is on one solid track.

– Katelyn Avery

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