Saturday afternoon and I am on my laptop. As I catch up on my timeline on Twitter, check-in at Get Glue, update my status on Facebook and read email and text messages all as a mechanism to procrastinate on a Saturday afternoon, several thoughts crossed my mind.  First, what did I use to do on a Saturday afternoon before web surfing, email, chat, Twitter, Facebook, and text messages? Second, when did my fascination for electronic media evolve into day-to-day habit or activity? Third, has it made life easier?

In my opinion, life before e-media, social networks and general electronic busyness was not much different when it comes to procrastination. Instead of having a laptop and iPhone with me on the couch, I would have a novel along with textbooks and portable phone. Any activity whether social network related or non-electronic related is used successfully to procrastinate.  I read a great article called, “What did we do before online social networking;” (1) it is not directly related to my spin but you might find it insightful.

Earlier, I pondered when I became fascinated with web surfing, email, chat, Twitter, Facebook and text message.  I remember when I bought my first home computer, care to guess when? A clue, I had a choice to reach the internet via AOL, CompuServe or Prodigy. I remember how excited I was to discover I could order from Macy’s through AOL and my friends were totally horrified. I spouted off that one day doing everyday business would be the normal practice.  They said it would never catch on; I argued that one day they would all be active on the internet.  Not to shout my horn, but today we communicate with each other via Facebook. The internet, email and social networks continue to change and adapt faster than the speed of light. In 2011, I buy, ready and study textbooks as e-books and not physical copies.  I own a iPhone which collated my email, social networks, student and personal life.  When I do not have my laptop to read my e-books I can use my iPhone. I do not tote around heavy books unless necessary.

Finally, I do not think web browsing, email, social networks and the millions of e-media applications make life easier just different.  What do you think?

(1)    http://tucsoncitizen.com/retroflections/2010/01/29/what-did-we-do-before-online-social-networking/