The simple life and I'm not talking Paris Hilton

I'm really not a big fan of technology. And although I'm sure it has a little to do with my lack of computer skills, this veiw is also supported by my observations. With the increase of technology, theoretically, people have been able to compact more work into smaller amounts of time. Now I know many people might say that's a good thing; people are created with a good desire to do work and work can be a means to make money and survive. If it can "shorten" the time and effort spent in work then it can't be a bad thing.
My problem with technology comes into play when it compounds our desires to "do as much as we can" into an idol of sorts, becoming the leading "tool" for our working greed. What happens to all this extra spare time we are left with when we use technology? We end up doing something else with it. This is not always because we desire to do something else, this is usually because society has ebraced technology, engulfed it, so much to the extent that our lives have become "fast paced" as the result. Not only that, this fast paced lifestyle has lead our over worked society to become disillusioned with the idea of work so that the majority of people in the working force hate thier jobs. They work, not for the pleasure of it, but to get thier paychecks or to enjoy "free time". This is a twisted concept of what work was created to be. This also propels the problem of escapism and our society's worship of entertainment, not to mention substance abuse.
Technology also marginalizes certain sectors of society. For example, my neighbour came over the other day for help with his resume. He is an older man, late 40's early 50's, and in the trades. He had never written a resume in his life. Back in the "old days" you could just walk into a place, shake thier hand, and they'd give you a job. (Really this wasn't so long ago but because of the radical leap in technology, standards changed.) He has NO computer skills and wanted to hand in his resume on a hand written piece of lined paper. Does this guy have a chance? Even though he has many years under his belt in the trades, it would be next to impossible to get a job with a hand written resume in todays technologically inhanced playing field. I don't think my dad even knows how to turn off a computer let alone use one effectively. *sigh*

There's something to be said of limiting technology and doing things for youself. Maybe the Mennonite tradition has something to teach us here. I attended a mennonite church in Hamilton for awhile and found the congregation really to my liking (perhaps because of by baptist upbringing?). They were communal in that they were very socially active in the community (helping the poor and marginalized), passive/ anti-war (which came across as humble and peace loving) but more relevant to this blog is that they tried to live simple lives. They didn't try to abandon technology, they tried to limit it. They recognized that sometimes technology could complicate a life rather than make it simple.
And to behonest- I think planting some of your own vegetables can be a much more simple and rewarding process than going to the store and buying them. I think making something with your hands can bring glory to God through your own creation. I think walking places is beter for the environment and an excellent way to see and embrace the beauty in the world around you. Stoping in for a visit instead of a phone call (or email!!!), washing dishes by hand with a loved one who's drying by your side, having a bon-fire and sharing your roasted goods

There are so many ways to limit your technology and get more out of the life we were created to live. I think it's time that we realize the beauty and enjoyment that can be found in work and that we should search out the necessary ways to reform and embrace it.