PTSD and the Iphone
JG Ballard likes to discuss the psychological effects of space travel on astronauts. It is one of those topics of inconvenience for NASA, whose spokespeople prefer to shrug at and move to the next question (perhaps about the budget, anyone?). For Ballard, the question stems from a science fiction curiosity. Could man ever do long distance space travel? or are we destined to send robots and machines to do the next step of space exploration. Ballard’s concerns stem from the apparent lack of consistancy in the astronaut’s lives. Most seem unable to move to the next stage (like new jobs), and some, like Armstrong, refrain from discussing what was perhaps man’s greatest achievement – the landing on the moon.
Having listened to an NPR special on PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) it got me thinking whether that is an angle of the astronaut’s predicament. I am talking about, specifically, the dichotomy between life in the fast lane (Iraq, Investment banking, prepping for space flight, quarter end, etc.) and life in docile Americana. Especially if you don’t live in one of the big cities.
My assumption is, that once a soldier returns or an astronaut lands, life becomes simple. You have done the deed and now it is time to rest. But if you are of astronaut calibre mentality, rest is the farthest thing from your personality. Hence you have conquered your dragon and really have nothing to look forward to. You were used to action and now life is missing rythm. And very few are like John Glen who was both an astronaut and moved to an equally hectic life in politics.
Now I have a feeling that it is the same with most of us who are addicted to our Iphones, emails and facebook updates. For us the constant shaking of the phone, the bling sounds of facebook and the chirp of inbound email becomes a part of our psyche. And when our internet dies – we get the onset of mild PTSD.
You may feel that hurtling down from the ski slopes and catching up on email on the gondola.I felt that during our spa day in Mongolia (during the other days we were bicycling all day and concentrated on that).
And I’ve devised a test for this: If both your oven (appliance important to life) and internet gateway break – who would you fix first?
/Cheers