Often times when we travel, we find ourselves snapping picture after picture until the inevitable happens: the memory card runs out. So, we find a simple solution. We go to the store and buy another one so we can take another two thousand pictures. But how many pictures is too many? This question isn't just about the pictures, however; it's about technology in general. In my opinion, tourists overuse technology in travel. Although in today's age, it's all about the technology, there's a difference between utilizing it and drowning in it, and I think that people right now are drowning.
Christopher Elliott's "Savor the Trip, Don't Tweet It" argues that people use technology too much in their travels for finding places to eat, shop, or visit when they should really just go out and find these places themselves. Elliot writes that technology is sucking the "exploring, happenstance, and serendipity" out of travel. He states that "[t]hat essential, spontaneous part of the vacation is at risk of extinction." And I couldn't agree more. If we're not careful, travel will lose that sense of mystery that makes it so thrilling.
My main reasons for going to Australia and New Zealand are that before I signed up for this class, I knew barely anything about these nations and their people. I always thought that New Zealand was a country very similar to Australia, but I now know that I was dead wrong, and I am looking forward to actually experiencing these differences when we are there. I have found that I really like researching Australia and New Zealand, and I even like to learn about their histories. (And I'm not such a fan of history!) In my personal opinion, we should definitely set up technology boundaries while we are there, such as limited use of iPods because some of them (mine included) have wi-fi on them. In addition, they are a huge distraction because of the vast selection of game apps and videos and such, and that's not to mention the fact that they have music on them. Also, cell phones should not be allowed because of texting and because they are easy to lose. I will probably bring my iPod for the plane and down time, I will bring my camera for taking pictures, and I will bring a calling card for keeping in touch with my family.
All in all, I think technology can be a good thing because it can help document a trip and capture memories of a lifetime. It can help tell a story and bring back a flood of good times, smiles and laughs, and quite possibly inspire others to travel. But too much of a good thing is possible, which brings me to perhaps one of Elliott's most important points; your memories of your travels should be as told through your eyes, not through "the viewfinder of your HD video camera." Our job as travelers is to be carrier pigeons, as Pico Iyer wrote about, but that's not all. We need to inspire other people to go and explore on their own instead of just posting the pictures on Facebook because doing that is doing the traveling for people.
I think you really showed an understanding for Elliot's article. You talked about how even something like an ipod can be a huge distraction with the wifi, movies, games, apps, and music that it contains. Continue keeping these thoughts in mind once we are on the trip!
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