My computer is changing me?
I sit in front of a computer all day. My eyes begin to strain after several hours of work, so I often take a break and walk away. Well, maybe that’s also for my sanity? Actually, I love my computer. It’s an Apple Mac G5 with a beautiful cinema display. Nothing better than that when it comes to computers. [insert opinion here] But I’m beginning to become aware of something I never even thought about let alone considered before. My computer is changing me!
I’m going in for an eye checkup, and I’m not really happy about it. When I read small print in dim lighting those pesky little words seem to be written with a blurry font. What’s up with that? So, of course being a www coniseur I googled some eye care info. Turns out that I might have Presbyopia. Yeah, it’s also known as “aging eye syndrome”. To make matters worse, it says people usually begin experiencing this problem around the age of 40. Great! Can you believe my 40th birthday is just around the corner? Just what I need another reminder that I’m not a young spring chicken anymore.
But then a second article caught my attention. Aging eyes may not be my only issue. My beautiful computer could be a part of the problem – this changing of my eye sight. Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). CVS affects everyone who works on a computer and consists of symptoms such as headache, dry eyes, fatigue, blurred and double vision. Can you believe it? This wonderful technology that allows me to provide for my family is contributing to the demise of my vision. How can this be?
Well, lighting is a huge issue. So, that is a part of the equation. However, here’s what really caught my attention and has altered my view of technology.
“Also, your computer screen projects images in pixels which constantly change, forcing your eyes to constantly refocus. This constant adjustment caused strain on your eyes, causing your eyesight to become distorted or blurred.”
Now again, I’m a creative producer who’s lived off of technology for over 15 years now. I love this stuff and read about it and learn it and use it everyday. To have to step back and consider that this medium has the power to change me even though I’m not aware of it is a little unnerving. Video and computers are an advancement of the human experience. It’s opened the door to powerful methods of communication, exploration, and discovery. Yet, there’s no doubt it has changed me…and in the context of the subject of this article (my eyesight) that’s actually not a good thing.
For me, this opens a Pandora’s box. If a computer screen can change my physical vision, then technology – media must also have the ability to change other aspects of my nature. Can it change the way I think? [reading versus watching TV] Does it shorten my attention span? [think about today's children sitting for a 20 minute teaching] Maybe it will diminish my social skills [email?]?
These are healthy questions that I’m beginning to wrestle with. And if this technology changes the way my eye’s see and the way my brain works, can it also change my faith? Is it possible that media can blur or diminish the messages that I communicate through it? Can the Gospel be altered just by using the medium of video? Well, I guess that’s another article, because most of you internet surfers are probably tired of reading this long blog post. I am. Maybe I’ll go give me my eyes a rest. You know, clear my head…I mean my vision.
What’s your experience? Can media change you?