Unplugged | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Unplugged | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jack Taylor
04/27/14
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Unplugged.

I’m absolutely sure it was two o’clock in the morning when the revelation came to me. I know it was two because the clock on the microwave said it was two o’clock. When I double-checked with the laptop it was also blinking two o’clock. The radio alarm clock on top of my desk confirmed the report. As did the iPod I picked up. The numbers on the stove indicated 2:01 and so did the digital displays on the two cell phones recharging on the counter.

When things aren’t in sync it bothers me.

My OCD diagnosis would probably be confirmed if I turned on the IPad as an alternate authority so I’m proud to say I took it by faith that it was slightly after two a.m. The darkness lurking outside the kitchen window comforted me with the knowledge I hadn’t overslept. Of course, a lesser mind might think we were in the middle of an eclipse. Five channels of cable news kept me anchored to reality. None of the channels mentioned an eclipse.

Anyway, it was just after two a.m. when I noticed the movement in the alley behind my house. I counted four heads huddled closely together. I didn’t notice any lookouts skulking in the shadows. A dull glow nestled in each of the palms of the conspirators. Those glows weren’t joints. I reached under my desk for my Canon Digital camera. I needed evidence.

I can spot a tech-head from a mile away. Hackers, cons, e-terrorists sucking the life and resources from everyone within their global reach. It might have been dark, and two a.m., but conspiracy was afoot. One never knows which app might be downloaded even now as a tool to probe deep into my privacy and security.

I opened the window a crack and heard a brief avalanche of laughter. Things were becoming desperate.

My first impulse moved me to lightning speed action. I tapped into facebook, twitter, email and google to search for e-terrorists huddled in the lane behind 4473 Dover Lane. The results were discouraging. These tech-heads had mastered the art of cover-up.

For a moment I thought of why I was up again. Only three weeks ago, I vowed to complete a one month digital detox. No digital stuff for 31 days. I should have picked February.

I don’t think I’m fully to blame for leaving the cell phone on for emergency contacts. My mother called me six hours into the detox to see if I was watching the news. If I had known why she was calling I probably wouldn’t have answered, but that would be rude.

Apparently there was a plane crash in Venezuela and a live reporter on the scene was describing what was happening with the help of a passerby who thought he heard something. I reasoned that if I only glimpsed one news channel for one or two minutes it would make my mother happy and not compromise my detox too much.

Of course, after the crash news, there was an even better story about people addicted to gum chewing. I knew I had taken a picture of a wad of gum on the park bench within the last year so I had to turn on my camera to flash through the different albums of photos. It wasn’t there, so I had to check my iPod, then my iPad, just in case. It wasn’t as great as I remembered it. I almost deleted it so I wouldn’t be tempted again.

The radio alarm said five o’clock and I knew the night was almost done. Guilt was strong. I decided to get tough and I unplugged it. And every other digital device as well. Of course, I was late for work the next day, but my digital detox was back on firm ground.

My detox was like that for the whole three weeks and so today I decided that sacrificing myself by eliminating all digital devices was more like sadomasochism, and that certainly wasn’t biblical, so I believe it is better stewardship to unleash the gifts I have for the good of society.

That one choice is what compelled me to look out the window and to call 911. I can see the flashing lights. The conspirators are so surprised they haven’t even moved.

A facebook message pops up. “Dad, we see you.”

I close the curtains tighter. There is soon a knock on my door. I unplug everything quick. It’s time for another digital detox.

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