As much of a geek and technology enthusiast as I am, I feel the need to balance all this with a post about the rest of the picture that makes up my "good life". The phrase, Hi-Tech, Hi-Touch, hasn't gone away since it was coined by John Naisbitt in his book Megatrends in 1982. That book stayed on the best seller lists for 2 years! It was based on ten years of social research. With his eye on as much social and trend data as he could find, Naisbitt could see, even then, that as the world was getting more technological, malled and McDonaldized, people were reacting and seeking "high touch" to compensate.
I admit I'm a technology nut - a geek. I'm not much of a camper even. Too many living things all in one place, kind of unsettle me. I'm not a gardener. I love my computers and books. But, I go for walks every day. Usually twice a day. I get outside in nature. I couldn't be so techno without it.
I moved out of the city (beautiful San Francisco) to live ten miles North in a tree-filled and hilly hinterland suburb called Mill Valley thirteen years ago. It doesn't take much to get into the city via the Golden Gate bridge, but since I work from home, there's not much reason to expose myself to the smog and concrete of the city every day. It's more relaxing and life-sustaining here.
Don't worry. You don't have to move to the boring burbs! Notice I live only ten miles away from SF, first of all. Secondly, some prefer to live in the city with all its culture, diversity, resources and work. They get their nature hits by spending time in parks when they can, getting out of the city on weekends, skiing, camping, backpacking and adventure travel. That works too.
Some forward-thinking people live in the further out burbs and figure they're that much nearer to the real outback, countryside, etc. And some even live in tiny little towns in Idaho or Colorado or Wyoming. There are still a few traditional jobs out there and there's always working at a distance with the amazing Net as your vehicle. SF-area real estate prices being what they are and internet coverage and speed getting better all the time, these more remote options look pretty darned good sometimes. I gotta have my broadband, though, and satellite wouldn't hurt either.
Our techno-driven 24/7 lifestyles cry out for compensations like getting physical - quietly as in walking, hiking, yoga, gardening and exuberantly as in extreme sports, mountain climbing, backpacking, cycling, skiing and dancing. For many of us, pets can be comforting and delightful. Massage, saunas, hot tubs, showers, baths and physical and emotional intimacy are just a few of the ways we keep ourselves grounded, refreshed, healthy and happy.
Posted by tokerud at July 15, 2003 11:50 PM
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