Even though I work at a software company now I make it a point to be outside as much as possible.
Every morning I’ve been taking either an hour walk or an hour bike ride. It’s been incredible for exploring the city of Austin and finding what cool gems are hidden here. I set out in a direction and when I feel like I’m sufficiently lost enough I start figuring out how to get my way back to work.
I’ve been stopping at benches all throughout the city to sit and read but I keep catching myself doing something. I pull my phone out to catch up on emails/texts/Slack threads etc. These things aren’t bad and they need to be done, but I’ve been annoyed that here I am out in nature. One of the few hours I get to be in it and I spend it on the same technology I’m using all day at work.
As I look up from my spot on the bench, I see that there are almost no people that
- Don’t have earbuds or headphones on
- Don’t have a phone they’re looking at as they walk
- Aren’t talking on the phone
Some parts of Austin are truly beautiful. If you don’t believe me, check out some of my recent Instagram feed and highlights. There is beautiful scenery and sounds all around Austin, but people would rather listen to music or the next best podcast.
Don’t get me wrong, I know some people just can’t even run without music and I myself love listening to a good podcast, even sometimes as I walk. But what would the city look like if no one was allowed to use technology outside?
How would interactions with other people look? Would you still avoid eye contact with everyone you walk by? Would people be more friendly?
Technology’s not bad, but I do often wish there was better separation between the world of technology and the world of nature.