My ICT addiction

Last night was perhaps the first night I've spent without a cell phone in the past 8 years. I certainly wasn't an early adopter of the things, and I don't use mine regularly at all.

But, when I absolutely couldn't get it to charge yesterday, something had to be done. I took it to my regular guy at the Meditel store (that would be Rachid) and he offered to look into it overnight. In all honesty, I'd been planning to buy a new one. I'm issue of a throw-away society, after all; why repair when you can replace? But Rachid though it could be fixed with minimal effort, so I left it in his capable hands for the night.

I don't think I had any actual physical signs of withdrawl -- no shaking or cold sweats or anything. But without the phone, I did feel somewhat vulnerable, like something big was missing. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are such a huge part of life in the developing world that I really felt lost without it. Besides, I went to quite a deal of trouble to get that formerly T-mobile Motorola phone unlocked when I'd arrived -- I'd had it in mind to use it the whole year or until it was stolen, which ever came first. It was a trusty solider in the fight for finding things to do and staying in touch with folks here in Morocco.

The phone was returned safe and sound (and charged) this morning; I picked it up after Cataloging and promptly started calling and texting, blissful at the reunion with my old friend. Rachid didn't charge me at all for his services -- but I've over-paid several times in the past, so I think it all evens out. After yesterday's episode, I have to admit, though, that I can't imagine what life would be like for me without the Internet.

In short, banish the thought of going Internet-less for a day! The very idea sends shivers down my spine.