Following up from the previous post "How did ‘work’ work in the days before computers?", I am still struck as to what is going on in offices and what happened circa the mid 1990's when a computer on every desktop became prevalent. Now we all are sat here, everyone of us with a computer, typing away all day long....but why? Part of me feels that it is to prove that we are doing something, even if there is nothing really to do...it means the creation of new tasks and jobs, just for the sake of doing something at a machine.But this is also counter productive it would seem and also means that office workers seem to generally procrastinate more and feel more unhappy. But these days, the computer has also moved outside of the 'office', it is ubiquitous throughout most industry now, drones of people staring blankly at handheld devices, computers to track movement of food, controls of robots. But this is all new, it has all taken place in the last 20 years, and all I keep thinking is, what was it like before.....what did I do? Was I happier?And to be honest, part of my thinks I was, but maybe in a different way. I mean, as I mentioned before, I am not knocking the computer, I am not being ironic given that I am currently writing this on a computer, but I just know I used to do more things. At work, I would talk more, go for more walks around the office without feeling tied to my machine. At home, I would read, see friends more, and just hangout, but now I feel tied more to checking things online. My purchasing decisions are based on the testimony of strangers on forums, of whom I have no idea of their credentials when giving advice. I spent ages pondering over two options, knowing full well which one I want, but feeling that I have to have my thoughts justified by someone else.I digress, so Jobs Before Computers, we did have them, they involved working differently...perhaps even harder, more physical, more in touch, more dangerously.....we are sold on the idea that a computer makes things easier, faster, with more information feedback, but do we need all of that to know we have done a good job?I would like you hear your feedback, when are you most happiest at work? When typing away at a keyboard or some other time....let me knowPeaceN
Quote
"People have enough to live but nothing to live for : they have the means but no meaning" - Victor Frankl
Peace =@)
Let Go and Live Tip 4
This is the forth a new series of simple tips you could take to try and bring a bit more life back into your life!Tip 4 – Don't make notesGoing to a meeting? Going to a lecture or class.....don't make notes....just sit and listen....and enjoy! Why not?Peace =@)
Let Go and Live Tip 3
This is the third in a new series of simple tips you could take to try and bring a bit more life back into your life!Tip 3 – Just SmileAnother simple one.....just smile =@)Smile at the madness that is surrounding you....if the bus is late, just smile, why not? Is it the end of the world? Can you do anything to make it come sooner? No, so just smile!Late for work? Just smileDropped a glass? Just SmileAs someone once said....."Don't worry....be happy"Peace
Let Go and Live Tip 2
This is the secondin a new series of simple tips you could take to try and bring a bit more life back into your life!Tip 2 – Break the PatternLife can easily get into a rut, or a pattern, but it is so easy to break and just give you something different each day, something outside of work, outside of the regularity and give you time to experience something different, which could bring a smile to your face. =@)Why not get off the bus or train at a different stop? Take a different road to work in the morning?Go to a cafe, restaurant, club, bookshop, place that you have never visited before.Simple things to give you new experiences!Peace
Let Go and Live Tip 1
This is the first in a new series of simple tips you could take to try and bring a bit more life back into your life!Tip 1 - Take a walkSimple hey?Why not take a walk around your town, village or city? Perhaps without a destination, just wander or go down a street you have never been down before. Alternatively, take a new route to your destination, be spontaneous.Why not try following something which appeals to you around the town, or make up little rules such as you can only turn left at road intersections, or only head down a street with the most number of vowels in the street name.It may open up a whole new world to you, right on your door step.Of course you can also use this method to explore cities when on holiday or away for work!
Not enough time for a sandwich....
I recently came across this article in a national newspaper, and it wasn't so much the story that got me (as there is a constant struggle against the big corporations taking over, robotising and destroying the high street, all in the name of cheap food), but it was this one section in particular.
Office worker Judy, who nipped out to buy a sandwich, admits she feels ashamed to shop there. "But it's quicker to pop in here than wait for a sandwich to be made at one of the nicer shops. I come in almost every day." Morris, S - The guardian, 17 March 2010
That statement that it is quicker to pop in for a sandwich than wait for one to be made really struck a chord with me. It sums up pretty much what motivated me to start this website. Why are we so pressured to eat so quickly? Why is it seen as a waste of time to sit or stand and wait for a unique sandwich to made? Why is there such a rush to get back to ones desk?Of course there is the made of the sandwich itself, indicative of modern consumerism, quicker to buy a mass produced tasteless, salt filled sandwich (and cheaper) than to have a sandwich made for you, a unique sandwich, made (sometimes!) by what could be described as a sandwich artisan.Why not stand and watch the sandwich being made, take time from the day to daydream or say hello to someone in the cue, form a friendly relationship with the sandwich maker, just be....what is wrong with that?I hold my head in despair!Peace