Its late, and I cannot sleep. Logging into wordpress I found the following prompt: Your life without a computer: what does it look like?
I am uncertain if this prompt is meant to inspire visions of a Luddite future, or if I am supposed to extrapolate upon the wonders of phone based technology. I believe that the more interesting scenario is the former, a life in which I (we) do not have access to modern computing.
This topic can inspire a certain amount of anxiety in many of us, especially those who are old enough to recall a time before the internet. As much as my generation may romanticize those times, we also understand just how much easier the world has become with the mass adoption of technology.
On the other hand, those of us who recall a time before the internet will also see how society has changed, and we can readily identify what seems to be a breakdown in the social fabric. Community and even friendship seems to have changed, and not in ways that I feel are necessarily healthy. In this I am not alone.
I can confidently say that my life without a computer would be very different from what it is today. In 2009-2010 I actually took a year away from technology. No computer, no email or surfing, though I did still have a telephone for the convenience of my friends and family. In 2015 I also took a two month trip to Asia and decided to challenge myself by going without an internet capable device. What I noted of myself is that I tended to read more books when abstaining from computer use. I also developed a deep appreciation for public libraries.
These experiences taught me that in a world without computing, we must work harder and depend more upon others in order to function on a daily basis. Life felt slower and more purposeful. I would like to say that it was peaceful, but that is not quite correct. It could be frustrating and challenging to navigate a society that has come to depend so heavily upon technology. Even though I was comfortable with my choice to abstain from technology, those around me were often upset. In a world where we are all expected to be connected and available 24/7 it is almost considered antisocial to “opt out”.
Going beyond the choice to abstain, I am aware of scenarios where there is a global breakdown of technology. Solar storms and weaponized EMP’s are two of the imagined cases where there is an immediate breakdown of nearly all technology. AI and malicious programs could be another.
It is hard to say what my life in such a scenario would look like. In a world where I chose not to use a computer I can say that I felt isolated, and marginalized by my friends, family and a society that expects us to utilize these tools. In a world where such tools no longer exist I am better prepared than most. This is by design.
I have accumulated a significant amount of experience and training in practical skills in long term emergency situations. I generally break these skills down into a trio of essential elements. Food, shelter and protection (though there are many more). As such I have experience and/or training in all three areas.
That said, my personal aptitudes and interests have led me to focus primarily upon food production. As such, I would say that in a world without computers you would find me well away from any major population centers. I would seek to locate myself in a mild climate where outdoor conditions allow for year round growing. I would have a greenhouse, and access to lands where I might forage for natural wild foods.
I would like to think that in such a world I would be a happy, healthy and productive member of my community. I would probably replace entertainment for new and practical hobbies. In such a scenario I would probably feel more relevant, but that does not necessarily mean I would be happier or more fulfilled. There are many things I would miss, and its possible that I would feel less connected.
What I do know for certain is that I do not wish to give up my computer, and I cannot guarantee that doing so would result in an improvement. I generally feel that it is better to push foreword rather than to fall back. In my experience history will tend to support this view.
The Wild 
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