Media Deprevation (MCS Assignment #5)

Tomorrow, November 29th, my media deprivation assignment will begin. I am not very resistant to this assignment for various reasons. The forms of media to which I rely on the most include my cell phone, laptop, radio, ipod, and television. I am not completely dependent on these items, though I rely on them when available. Not having a cell phone is a familiar concept, given my track record with phone replacements. A combination of theft, water damage, and many forms of physical mistreatment resulted in the replacement of about six phones during my last two year contract. Ironically, my decision to purchase insurance the following contract prevented any need for replacements. Long story short, I have certainly been without the use of a phone for longer then twenty-four hours and am not worried about this assignment. I actually know that there is a sense of relief that accompanies not feeling compelled to check for text messages or missed calls. I am currently at home in Niagara Falls, New York. It is difficult to secure an internet signal therefore my laptop will not be a problem. I will turn off my phone and avoid the television. I will be working at my family pizzeria from 10:30am until about 4 o’clock. The radio is typically on during business hours, however tomorrow will be an exception to successfully complete this assignment. I believe that my location and other priorities will make it easier to avoid the media. I will soon find out if that is the case.

Well that was not as easy as I thought it would be. I originally began the assignment at 10am. I went to work at 10:30am and was supposed to work until 4pm. Pizza Time is a family business therefore requiring my siblings and I to be a bit more responsible. During the lunch hour, my sister called in to say she could not work the night shift. I therefore was to stay at Pizza Time until 8pm. There is an internet signal in the building, and I had brought along my laptop because my dad asked to use it. At 11:30 he was having trouble connecting and oral instructions were not sufficient in solving this problem. It was either help him, or listen to him curse at my laptop (which was not the problem.) I went over, got him started, and restarted this assignment again. I successfully completed the next attempt, however there was room for error. While working at the pizzeria it is necessary to answer the phone. I thought I would be fine until I remembered the “no land-line” rule. When the phone rang, I ran it over to my dad. This became an annoyance but enabled my escape from the device. There were a few instances in which I lucked out. My dad used the bathroom throughout the day, and ran a delivery later at night. If the phone had rang during either of these periods I would have been forced to answer it. It did not, I was lucky. The extended shift made the lack of technology very noticeable. Typically, when I have a free moment at work I text a friend or look at pictures on my cell phone. It passes time. I did not have that break, and therefore decided to catch up on some reading during the down time. When I read I get sleepy. I don’t know why but it is a problem that I have been dealing with for many years. After reading a few pages I would look around for something to distract me. I noticed that my cell phone acted as a welcome distraction while doing homework. Without it, I was forced to focus for a longer period. I mentioned earlier that I typically play music in the store. This was probably the most difficult device to sacrifice. There was no background noise, nothing to mediate my lack of productivity and silence. This was missed.

Using technology has become so natural that I hardly notice when I am using it. Losing these devices however, led to the recognition of each and every subtraction. With this recognition, I was able to keep an account of my thoughts and actions. About a half hour into the assignment I stood up from my seat and pat the outside of my pants pocket. This was to ensure that I had my cell phone on me. Right after this happened I thought to myself, “well that was dumb, you turned your phone off and put it in your room.” It was a force of habit. I had lost so many phones that I always make sure I have it on me. While at the store, I was opening and getting everything in order. I had stopped by Tim Horton’s before work to get a coffee and bagel. (Tim Horton’s is a Canadian coffee chain that is prominent in the Northern region and makes phenomenal coffee.) I drank my coffee, light the fryer, walked over to my bagel and paused before taking a bight. I ACTUALLY had to think about what I was doing. For some reason as I picked up my bagel there was a thought in the back of my mind asking if I was allowed to eat it. It was the same thought I have during lent when I’m not allowed to eat meat. There is a reoccurring thought whenever there is food around asking if what I’m about to eat is meat. This was the same feeling, however a completely different situation. I was able to get more reading done and had less distractions. With the radio off, it was obviously quieter. This had advantages and disadvantages. On the “pros” side my dad and I talked more. During the semester I am busy with softball and school, while he runs the store. Any down time that I have typically occurs during the late morning, early afternoon. This is the lunch hour at the store, and I know better then to call. Our conversation is therefore limited by interruptions and time constraints. It was nice to just talk and hang out, even if we were working. Conversation was also dictated by what we felt like talking about. When the radio is on I realized that we often elaborate on what the announcer is talking about. We also talk about the music that is being played or the artist. Instead, it was a day of undirected conversation. A nice change of pace. Plus, I did not have to worry about changing the station when a song came on that I knew would not be approved. I enjoy some rap/hip hop songs while my dad and (according to him) our customers, do not.

My experiences were very similar to those reported by the students at American University. I was more engaged in my surroundings and enjoyed the random silences. This enjoyment ceased however, after about the first twelve hours of the assignment. It turned into acceptance but toward the ending hours evolved into annoyance. The truth of the matter is that our society is extremely saturated with the digital media. This unending cycle of media continues in the background of our lives whether we are aware of it or not. Our generation has embraced this saturation because it is more efficient. Without my phone or laptop I was unaware for most of Saturday about the trampling and shootings on Black Friday. Cell phones and computers make communication quicker and easier. Our society has evolved so that the digital media is an intricate part of everyday functioning. While working at Pizza Time, I had no choice but to answer the phone. If I went to the mall (which I declined for the assignment) then I would have been exposed to the radio and television. Our society has become more efficient with changing technology. It is an individual responsibility to tune out what is unimportant and utilize what makes us more informed. As for entertainment…an ipod never killed anybody, although I’m sure Hollywood is working on that.

WORKS CITED
Walker, Danna. 2007. "The Longest Day." Washingpost.com
http://blackboard.umbc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_37304_1