Wakeup
and smell the technology
by Robert Harvey Clay
... Though only a machine; when using a computer there is a
"response" for every "action": this
"interaction" is similar to having someone else there. The
disabled/impaired individual uses their input device;
"clicks" "OK"; and the computer does something
in return - even if all it does is ask, "Do you really want to
do that?": the point is, for every "action" there is
a "reaction."
As you have undoubtedly
experienced for yourself, this process results in a type of mental
absorption that temporarily masks pain and negative thoughts - a
type of natural pain killer. Many eastern forms of meditation draw
on this same theory. Separate the mind from the body, or mind from
pain and negative thoughts in the computer users' case, and the
natural pain killer kicks in. This is what I call "Computer
Response Therapy".
"It's time medical science takes this reaction seriously and
makes
sure CR therapy is considered as important to an impaired
individual's well being as receiving physical and occupational
therapies. When the physical and occupational therapists have gone
home for the evening, the computer remains with the disabled
individual, arguably making CR therapy more important to the
impaired individual than the other therapies.
Too frequently, watching TV; listening to the radio; looking out the
window; playing low-intelligence games; or some other
non-inspirational and/or non-participatory activity is slowly
depriving the impaired individual of the things every human needs to
restore; maintain; or improve his/or her health, both mentally as
well as spiritually. What, you may ask, is wrong with lying around
watching TV; listening to music; relaxing; not having to work, or
worry about paying bills; and otherwise facing the stresses of
everyday life? This is another example of, "the grass is always
greener on the other side": "just existing" becomes
non-rewarding after an incredibly short period of time. Soon,
"relaxing" grows to be the source of "undesired
stress", and the mind starts to crave "interaction" a
fundamental, often-neglected need of every human being.
One of the first instances of "Interaction" for a human is
when a newborn baby is pat on the bottom and cries out, taking in
their first breath: there is an "interaction" between the
nurse and the infant.
Throughout a person’s lifetime, it is exceedingly important that
an individual communicates with family; friends; loved ones; and
various people they come in contact with, AND they receive a
"response." For example, when a man kisses a woman a
response is expected: a slap in the face; a kiss; a knee in the
family jewels; or the woman turns and walks away – all clear signs
the man just did something and received some sort of
"feedback" for his actions
Right now, we have the answer to a previously overlooked
quandary right at our fingertips: technology has handed us an
answer, and has made it available to almost everyone. "Wake
up and smell the technology!"
Equality Technology is an informational site whose mission is to
promote uniting the disabled with adapted computers through the use
of assistive technology devices. Disability information consists of
articles, short stories, and link exchange; links to assistive
technology computer furniture, software, and input/output devices;
device reviews; computer therapy; nursing home realities; message
board; news; links; and resources. http://www.equalitytechnology.org
[Remember, anyone could become disabled and/or seriously injured in an
instant.
Protect yourself, your family, friends, and descendants.] (it takes a few minutes of
your time and costs nothing) Help insure that
people with disabilities get adapted computers: contact your
congressperson online in a few simple steps. click
here
sure CR therapy is considered as important to an impaired
individual's well being as receiving physical and occupational
therapies. When the physical and occupational therapists have gone
home for the evening, the computer remains with the disabled
individual, arguably making CR therapy more important to the
impaired individual than the other therapies.
infant.
Throughout a person’s lifetime, it is exceedingly important that
an individual communicates with family; friends; loved ones; and
various people they come in contact with, AND they receive a
"response." For example, when a man kisses a woman a
response is expected: a slap in the face; a kiss; a knee in the
family jewels; or the woman turns and walks away – all clear signs
the man just did something and received some sort of
"feedback" for his actions
Help insure that
people with disabilities get adapted computers: contact your
congressperson online in a few simple steps.