Public Isolation Project

Almost halfway there, funny it seems like a lot longer then 13 days.  I am now starting to really get a routine.  I have a new friend that stops by almost everyday to ask if I need to be “liberated.”  I have figured out that this was the same guy that pounded on the window the first night I was here.  Another regular is the old guy that taps his cane on my bedroom window every morning at 8:45 to tell me, “it’s time to get up and start your day.”  He does this whether or not I am still actually in bed.  I find it kind of endearing.

I have figured out what I miss the most. Because I am admittedly addicted to the Internet at this point and because I don’t want to spend my days sitting in the same chair all day, I really miss the ability to use my laptop anywhere.  You know say, while sitting on the couch or in bed.  I can’t do this currently because I am not supposed to use the computer unless it’s plugged into the projector.  For those that haven’t been here in person, the image of what is on my computer screen is projected on the gallery wall at all times. Luckily, a friend emailed me the perfect solution.  There is a new gadget that allows me to do this wirelessly.  Sometimes technology is awesome. It’s in the mail and I can’t wait for it to get here.

The longer I am in here, the more plugged in I become.  This makes me feel like an obsessed 17-year-old more and more each day.  Speaking of 17-year-olds that reminds me of a close family friend who did an experiment for a class project.  It was a challenge to see if the class could go 1 week without using their computers or cell phones.  He made it 4 days. He sited the fact that he had college applications due as his excuse for not making it the entire week.  Which could be valid, but still the idea that he can’t make it a whole week a little disturbing.

This sense of dependence is easily seen in adults as well.  There is something about being plugged in all the time. Another friend realized after getting to the airport for a flight that she left her cell phone at the person’s house where she was staying. She almost didn’t get on the flight because the idea of not being without it was unimaginable.  How would she tell her family she arrived at her destination and that she was ready to be picked up?

Which brings me to an interesting question. Why is it that we regulate our children’s use of electronics and the Internet, but we don’t regulate our own.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on that one.  I know the obvious issue will be that of work.  I get that.  In my job, if I am not reachable 24 hours a day while we are shooting then I don’t have a job, but why do we as a society think it’s okay to expect that of each other?

On a happy note, why today was a good day:

1.  Waking up to a sweet note from friend in the window

2.  Not totally making a fool of myself on national television

3.  A modern day mixed tape from a friend

4.  Red wine

5.  Saturday night visitors

This entry was posted Saturday, November 13th, 2010 at 6:17 am.