Comment

Welcome call for a computer-free weekend

By Zhang Ling (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-07 08:51

Recently local media launched a campaign to put computers away during the weekend. It's called the "No Computers 63 Hours", or "NC 63", because organizers urge people not to use their computer and the Internet from 6 pm Friday to 9 am Monday.

I think this idea is brilliant. It can help people, especially young professionals who work on computers every day, to enjoy more relaxed and natural lives.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against computers and Internet technology- in fact, I work for an Internet company - I just wonder what our daily lives would be without them.

Once upon a time, people expected computer technology to make our lives easier. Machines were expected to do most of the work, leaving us with increasing amounts of free time to savor the pleasures of life.

And in many ways this did happen. But instead of liberating us, computer technology has enslaved us. With the arrival of the Internet, computers eat more and more of our private time.

Use of computers has become a main feature of our holidays. It's interesting to run a Google search of "lap on the beach" because it generates almost 12 million listings, including "Businessman working with laptop while sitting on the beach," or "Woman with a laptop on beach."

The weekend should be a complete break. If you want to stay at home, read those books you always meant to, or do some laundry and prepare a meal for the family. Or if you want to go out, why not go shopping, meet your friends, or take a trip to the cinema?

So, it's time to shut down your laptop for the weekend. Take this chance to get closer to nature and remember what used to make you happy.