High and Dry with My Wi-Fi

Let's start simply: I moved into a new apartment last week. There's our starting point. Now we can watch everything unravel...

I get zero cell phone reception in this apartment. Let me repeat that, since people seem to assume that 'zero' means 'poor'. 'Zero' means Z-E-R-O, folks. None, nada, nothing. I cannot make or receive calls within my apartment building (yes, the whole building). Now I'm not trying to sound alarmist or whiny here, but having ZERO phone reception is kinda like having your water turned off. At first, it seems like no biggie, but the more you think about it, the more inhibited you feel: 'Crap, the water's off...lemme just wash my hands and...dammit'. Case in point: 'Damn, I'm getting no reception in here. I'd better text everyone...DAMN!!' So you can see what I'm up against.

Now, please don't assume there's an easy solution or tell me what I should say to my provider or anything like that. I've been wrestling with this technological bear for over a week, and I've arrived at a decent compromise. That's not really why I brought you up to speed, however.

I wanted to address, in an open way, this ever-growing concept that we need to be accessible to the outside world ALL THE TIME ALWAYS. You know how many voicemails I got in the 5 hours I was in my apartment setting up furniture? NINE!!!! Jesus, calm down, people.

Now, understand that I dig this cell phone explosion as much as anyone else. It's an incredibly easy and (mostly) reliable way to get someone when you need them, and texting only expands on that idea. Soon, we'll essentially have access to any information or contact we need over our phones. But still, we've created an artificial sense of urgency over the idea of being available to people. Thanks to Twitter and GMail, I have 2 "emergency" methods of staying in touch with people. Even when you eliminate the cell phone completely from the picture, I'm still widely available to the outside world. Let's not forget Facebook messaging, GMail chat, AIM, and Skype, which is just a small membership away.

It's difficult NOT to be accessable the outside world at all times, and it's a manmade nessecity. Why do we need to be in touch at all times, always? Ask yourself; is it really that important?

thegreatredhope is a member of the podcast Technicolor Commentary, and can be reached at his new emergency home contact, (773)-883-8661.