March 30, 2015 – Saint Paul, Minnesota

Technology may be the end of us.

But for now, it’s irreplaceable. The yin to my yang. My life force. In fact, I can’t live this lifestyle without it.

…or could I?

Without it, I wouldn’t be able to contact potential hosts in Finland, Minnesota, about staying with them later in the year. Nor would I be able to peruse my options in North Dakota for 2016. Which is like… four. Instead, I would be forced to rely on human connections. Family ties, distant friends…word of mouth. I couldn’t necessarily “select” my next host. Control would be diminished or lost completely.

Without it, I couldn’t continue the minimalization process by scanning documents, pictures, and articles into my computer for future reference. I wouldn’t have the ease and reliability (well, usually) of a GPS system to aid me in my travels. Maintaining contact with friends and family via social media would most certainly not be possible. The alternative? Forcing myself to select only the bare essentials to take with me. Using actual paper maps, road signs, and the sun for direction (gasp!). Writing letters to keep in touch with loved ones.

What a novel idea.

Without it, I wouldn’t have met Mari’s parents via FaceTime today. This is a service that she and Syr use quite frequently to communicate with their family and friends. How different would their lives be without this and the other aforementioned technologies? Would we have closer knit communities? Increased emphasis on face-to-face human connection and helping our fellow man?

All I know is that I need to go buy a horse, pronto.

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” – Albert Einstein