I have been wondering about our (humans) dependence on technology a lot lately. Particularly electronic technology. Since these devices all rely on electricity, and solar power just isn’t up to snuff, what is going to happen when we do finally run out of petroleum and coal to generate electricity to power all of the electronics we have so blindly come to rely on? (I am sure we will come up with other power solutions…..but what if?)

While pondering this one day, it made me think back to the 1983 movie Wargames where the scientist that created the WOPR computer had gone into isolation and shunned technology (except for his radio controlled pterodactyl…) Personally, I think it is almost completely impossible (as an American) to eliminate all use of electronic gadgets and doo-dads. Even the simplest of items our lives have some electronic component…..I even have a pen with an LCD clock in it that I picked up at some trade show. I call that a waste of technology.

So I decided to do an experiment. This past weekend I made a promise to myself —

      Don’t use ANY computers and avoid electronics whenever possible.

Here is some minor detail about what I had to work around…..

My kitchen stove has a computer that senses temperature – I used the grill. (I grilled BBQ Beef Ribs for the first time ever on Sunday night…...I used a Raspberry Chipotle BBQ sauce……phenomenal!)

My Jeep has computers that sense fuel consumption, cruise control, anti-lock brakes, etc – I drove my 1972 Citroen 2cv all weekend. (it has electrical components but there isn’t a circuit board to be found in the car) Problem is, the 2cv is in the garage – which has an opener and a remote – so I unplugged the opener and used the manual garage release….

My primary phone is an old Microsoft MP-900. It is connected to a Windows 98 box — So I let the fiancé answer/make all the calls over the weekend I just yelled at a distance…..(btw…..my cell phone has ZERO signal at the house….so that part was easy!)

My alarm clock……I just didn’t set it. I am a morning person….up at 6am Sat, 6:30a Sun and 4:50a Mon, and 4:30a today….can you say…..in-som-ni-ac?

I am a coffee drinker but the coffee maker has electronics. I think the coffee grinder probably does too. Jeanne made the coffee for me. But I would have cracked on that one anyway.

Even my ceiling fans are electronically controlled – but it was already on so I just didn’t touch it.

I didn’t blog over the weekend. For those of you that MUST BLOG EVERY 3 MINUTES……I survived without any withdrawal symptoms. BUT, I have only been blogging for a coupla weeks. I am hardly addicted……yet.

I live in Southern California, and I don’t regularly use the A/C anyway. Just open the doors and windows. 84 in the living room. It’s a dry heat.

I usually do most of the cooking, but that would have involved opening the electronically controlled fridge or the freezer…so, with the exception of the ribs, I got out of cooking over the weekend…..

The hot water heater is electronically controlled……checked that AFTER taking a shower…..decided I continue to indulge myself on that one.

Nose Hair trimmer…..electronic. Deal with it……..

I must admit one blatant computer usage – I have Windows Media Center that I use for ALL of my media storage. I ordered “The 4400: Season 1” from Netflix a week ago and spent Sunday night with a strong pitcher of margaritas (and the ribs!) catching up. That meant using the TV and the remote….all electronic….

I think you get the picture. It was interesting for a weekend. I would hardly want to go for a month or more unless it was part of a reality show and they allowed NORMAL looking people on.

Yeah…..that will happen.

Cheers!