Hey, technology. We need to talk.

Human relationships with technology, in the grand scheme of things, aren't all that different from other entanglements we encounter throughout our lives.

There's the initial spark of excitement, the phase where everything seems perfect, and then the gradual realisation that maybe, just maybe, we've been moving a bit too fast.

Let's take stock and review this evolving relationship by taking a look at a day in the life of an average working-class human in the 1970s with that of their contemporary counterpart in 2024.

Of course, these narratives may not accurately describe every individuals experience but they do provide us with a foundational overview for comparison.

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

It's the 1970s, and our protagonist, let's call him Joe, begins his day with a hearty breakfast, a glance at the morning paper, and a commute to the office. Joe is a friendly chap and he enjoys chatting with strangers on his route. Once at work, Joe settles into his desk, surrounded by the comforting hum of typewriters and ringing telephones. The workday unfolds with a steady rhythm dictated by the analog world – meetings held in person, memos typed on paper, and deadlines met without the aid of digital reminders.

For lunch, Joe and his colleagues step away from work to congregate in the kitchen and eat their packed lunches. They exchange stories and funny anecdotes about their working and personal lives before jumping back into work.

At 5pm, Joe closes out his day and returns home to his family. They enjoy dinner, chat about each of their days, head out for a walk and come home to a chuckle with Fawlty Towers before all being tucked up in bed by 10pm.

Welcome to Present Day

Fast forward to 2024, and Joe's modern-day counterpart, let's call her Jane, kicks off her day with a quick scroll through emails on her smartphone before even getting out of bed. Breakfast is a rushed affair, consumed in front of a laptop screen adorned with a seemingly endless array of tabs and notifications. Jane commutes twice a week via driverless Uber but she mostly navigates the digital highways from her home office.

Throughout the day, Jane finds herself tethered to her laptop like a sailor to their mast, navigating the choppy seas of endless tasks, relentless notifications, emails, and virtual meetings. The pressure to be constantly connected, to respond to every message, and to stay glued to the screen is palpable, fuelled by a relentless pursuit of productivity and progress.

Jane prepares a quick sandwich for lunch and eats it at her desk. She had hoped to take a walk today, but the never-ending, ever-growing task list and the constant buzz of her phone demanding attention weighs heavily on her, inducing guilt with every moment she's not working.

At 5pm, Jane hasn't even noticed the time because she has been so busy all day trying to keep on top of things. She manages to "log off" at around 6.30pm, orders a takeaway for herself and her family and collapses with them on the sofa. During the evening, while trying to find something on Netflix, Jane finds herself trapped in the relentless back and forth of picking up and putting down her phone. She scrolls social media and keeps a check on her emails for the rest of the evening, until she pours herself into bed at midnight.

A Deeper Truth

Beneath the surface of this digital frenzy lies a deeper truth – a truth that speaks volumes about the increasingly quickening pace this relationship is taking on our mental health. Because Joe enjoyed blocks of time where he could work live and play without distraction from other areas, it was relatively easy for him to be present in the moment and focus on the task at hand. His experience of working life was filled with physical location changes and lots of face to face, human interaction. On the other hand, when we look at Jane's life experience, the lines between work, live and play are much more blurred. Her working life is filled with solitary working, never ending push notifications and very little face to face human interaction.

Our contemporary landscape is marked by the guilt that accompanies any moment of disconnection, alongside the widespread fear of falling behind, all contributing to a pervasive sense of unease and exhaustion.

In the rush to embrace the digital zeitgeist, we've unwittingly forged chains of silicon and circuitry, binding ourselves to a treadmill of our own making.

It's a far cry from the utopian vision of the future promised by the pioneers of computing – a world where machines were promised to lighten our load, freeing us from the drudgery of mundane tasks and allowing us to focus on what truly matters. Instead, we find ourselves working harder than ever, caught in a never-ending cycle of production and consumption, all under the watchful eye of our digital overlords.

So, what's the solution?

How do we reclaim our humanity in a world overrun by technology? It starts with a shift in mindset – a recognition that our worth is not defined by the length of time we spend looking at a screen, and that our value as human beings extends far beyond the confines of the online sphere.

As business owners and leaders, it's incumbent upon us to lead by example – to create cultures that prioritise well-being over productivity, and to develop environments where employees feel empowered to disconnect and recharge when needed. It's time to redefine success, not in terms of time spent staring at a screen, but in terms of results, fulfilment and happiness.

Finding Balance

In any relationship, there's a balance to be found and boundaries are key. It's time to have a frank conversation with technology – to set limits, establish boundaries, and reclaim our autonomy in a world that seems determined to keep us tethered to the digital treadmill. When wielded thoughtfully and intentionally, technology has the power to enrich our lives, deepen our connections, and broaden our horizons. But when allowed to run rampant, it can quickly become a source of stress, anxiety, and discontent.

Conclusion

In summary, the relationship between humans and technology is a complex and evolving one, filled with both promise and peril. But by taking a step back, reassessing our priorities, and embracing our humanity in all its messy, imperfect glory, we can create a future where technology serves us, rather than the other way around. So let's unplug, unwind, and rediscover what it truly means to be human.