Once upon a time a certain type of people commonly referred to as servants or slaves, knelt before their masters daily. Now, without recognizing this, for continuous eight hours a day, we kneel in front of our “new masters”, computers! Then, after we go home, we kneel some more, updating myspace, facebook, match or whatever other countless networking sites. This is the new type of submission – computer slavery.
It does precisely the same thing as before, sucks our energy out, depletes our health and maybe even more, since we are sitting in front of computer machines emitting all kinds of rays and radiation, prolong exposure to which is not exactly known in terms of its effects, but it is definitely not making us healthier or happier. Mainly because the time spending kneeling continues to grow.
In the tech world, computers are a must and hours spending in front of it is no longer defined by 40-hour week, which by itself is too long. If we take historical outlook, I doubt that you'd find any slave master who made his servants spend 40 hours a week in the same position. This would be too torturous even for the most ruthless ones.
But yet we do it now almost with pride. In the silicon valley, working 50 or 80 hours a week is nothing extra ordinary. It comes with management positions and is expected from anyone with dedication. As if personal health is not of any importance and dedication to this form of slavery is to be valued and praised. And it is. Until the day comes when personal health such as spinal problems manifests itself in such a way that it is no longer justified by money or prestige or respect from your colleagues.
That is the day, one may decide it's time to break free. I hope you don't wait this long. Unplug, go away, leave your iPhone at home. Make it into a habit.
Because all people are made to be free.