We look at the concept of 'always on', wherever we go, there's usually a way to connect to the internet to check email, browse Facebook or Twitter or read the news. So what's so bad about it? Many people argue that this somewhat erosion of the typical "9 to 5" work day, (forgiven if Dolly Parton pops into your head) is affecting the work / life balance.
People are quick to blame technology for this change in social behaviour, but this isn't always true. We are the ones using the technology, sure, the devices make it possible to always be connected, but we always have the option to switch off.
It's understandable in some jobs that there would be a need to be always contactable, my family, for example deals with overseas clients who are in different time zones. Without Skype and other technologies the business wouldn't function as efficiently.
Another point Gregg raises is the negative effect on home life, but, as i said earlier, we always have the option to switch off. It's not as simple as blaming technology for our work habits, if we want them to change, it's got to be an individual decision.
Gregg, M. 'Function Creep: Communication technologies and anticipatory labour in the information workplace'. [URL: http://homecookedtheory.com/wp-content/uploads/functioncreepnms.doc]
I agree with your opinion that it is up to the individual to control the 'presence bleed' within their life. There is always the option to switch off, and many people enter a career knowing what the requirements of that career path will be - even if it does require them to be constantly connected.
ReplyDeleteIf this 'presence bleed' is a negative problem as Gregg portrays it to be, part of workplace training should be education on how to turn off outside of work hours or the workplace. This would eliminate the negative consequences of this convergence of the professional and private on family life and relationships.
You are very right that we have the ability to turn off technology at any point. But how often do we actually turn of all our sources of communication. Its hard to do. Sometimes you may think you've shut yourself from the world, only yo realise your skypes still. I think it is near impossible to totally shut out the world.
ReplyDeleteI can see the benefits of being contactable all the time are substantial for those businesses, such as your parents business, who have overseas clients. Deals that otherwise would not occur, do, more money can be made, and we work more and more.
As greedy as it sounds, in today’s society everything always seems to come back to money. Information means money, work means money, communication means money and thus presence bleed means money. This IS what makes it so hard for us to 'switch off' as if we do sever communication even for a day we could be missing out on the opportunity to make MONEY.
ReplyDeleteI won't deny it, the first thing I do when I get up in the morning is grab my iPhone and check both Twitter and Facebook. The funny thing is that I check my iPhone right before I go to be as well... Surely not much could have changed in 7-8 hours (depending on how much sleep I get)?
ReplyDeleteI especially like how you have said, "we always have the option to switch off." This is exactly right. We don't necessarily have to check our emails, yet most of the time we chose to.
Times are changing, we have to keep up.
Couldn't agree more. Yes I do go on facebook and twitter every morning as I wake up. It just feels weird if I don't do it. It has become a habit. I agree, we can't blame technology for all this, well I guess in a way, technology has made us who we are today. Switching our device off is always an option, it just depends if we are willing to do it. But I guess most of us wouldn't do so, as we constantly want to be updated with news and just being present on the internet.
ReplyDeleteDo we have the potion to switch off though? It's a bit silly, but as soon as you're offline your out of the loop. Of course i get what you're saying, but I don't think it's that simple for some.
ReplyDeleteFacebook is definately optional, i mean no one is making you do it as a social thing (unless it's actually part of your work like me and another girl in class!) but with thinsg like international business it's important to to in the know most of the time.
We all know that a stock in a company can change in price within minutes but, as Corryn says above, I don't want to turn this into a discussion about money.
hang on... you work to make money, so there isn't really a choice... unless we all become hermits and go bush!
hehe potion^, bit too much harry potter for me, i think
ReplyDelete*option!