Technology Addiction

Even for healthy people and those personally unaffected, a pandemic changes everything. We don’t feel so immortal anymore. In the Covid and hopefully nearing the post-Covid era, we’re more cautious, and most of us have become more self-contained, more independent.

Technology has made this unique period in history more livable, but it’s a double-edged sword. When screen time goes up, personal contact goes down. Have you, your employees or colleagues found a laptop or iPhone that rejuvenates your spirit or feeds your soul like nature can?

The current health crisis isn’t the only factor that increased our dependence on technology; screen time was already increasing exponentially. Now, if a tour guide doesn’t hold his travelers’ attention, people begin to squirm and can’t wait to get away. They may get fidgety at first, but what’s the next thing they do? Even while exploring a city as unique and fascinating as San Francisco, they reach for their cell phones.

As recently as 2000, few people owned smartphones, although the BlackBerry would soon become popular. Back in those olden days, if you were bored, you let your mind wander, maybe to come up with some great ideas.

Those days are gone. Even motorcoaches provide Wi-Fi now. At the click of a button, you can FaceTime with family or friends, check the news, play games, get directions, perform calculations, read an ibook, make notations or do a variety of other things. No interaction with people required.

Is Technology Taking Over The World? Are We Addicted?

There’s no doubt our screen time has gone up over the years, and no one can deny the advantages of the beast. But take a leap — reserve a corporate retreat and discover the joys of disconnecting.

Are we permanently changing to a work-from-home model? It certainly has its advantages: more time with family, less money spent on work clothes and commuting, lower overhead. What’s lost, though, is the human connection that motivates sales, work ethic and loyalty. Obviously, it’s a balancing act.

Ask your employees. What kind of lifestyle do they want? Is your corporation helping them get there? Or is it all about billable hours? If your staff’s health is a priority, then the pandemic has most likely raised some red flags for you. What are your next steps?

We don’t claim to have all the answers. We provide private guides who understand social interaction and how to create lifelong memories. And we know that a happy lifestyle, with honest fulfillment and friends offers more than a screen ever could.

Think about it. How often do you reach for your cell phone each day? When was the last time you went disconnected from Wi-Fi for more than a day? What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? The last thing you do before going to bed?

On the other hand, do you know how many brothers or sisters your co-worker has? Where he grew up and where she’s from? What drives your employees outside of work? Does this add or subtract to productivity and teamwork in the workplace?

When you’re home, that’s fine.

If you don’t want to disconnect to take a look at the world around you, great; have it your way. But if you’re with a group visiting an amazing city such as San Francisco or traveling along the magnificent California coast? Seriously, what are you thinking?

We’ve seen those same technically-astounding phones damage group cohesion on corporate and private tours. On the best, most satisfying tours, the group somehow gels. It’s easy to blame technology, but it’s also up to the tour guide to hold the group’s attention.

A good tour leader is educated, prepped and personable.

A great tour leader is all those things. In addition, he or she also understands group dynamics and knows how to impart the information in a clever and memorable way, so when clients complete their private San Francisco one-day tour, or three-day Yosemite corporate retreat, they feel fulfilled and satisfied, having bonded to one another in the group. Some even form lifelong friendships, and it was all done with simple itinerary planning and the right words.

Yes, Covid has changed things. And technology is along for the ride. We want employers and all workers to know there’s a wonderful, fascinating, life-enriching world out there that doesn’t rely on a smartphone to provide lifelong memories.

That’s what we do — show others the wonders of nature and life and make them feel comfortable. This can be around San Francisco or on a private Yosemite hike. If we can help directly with corporate offsites, we will do our best. If not and we need to do things indirectly, that’s cool, too.

We are not psychologists or encyclopedias, but we know a few days away to listen to birds, see the stars and meditate away from society is a good thing. Even better when you can do it with friends. Not everything needs to be virtual.