Identity — Binge

Chris King
Jul 25, 2017 · 2 min read

If there’s a word that seems to sum up the ongoing evaluation I am working though as part of the 21st Century Human Upgrade, it is binge.

Now binge isn’t a 21st Century word. It’s been kicking around since the 1850s, but the application and frequency of use, definitely feels as though it has grown since the late 20th and early 21st Century.

More often than not it was used in a negative context, to out the social behaviours — drinking and eating — of us Brits of recent generations. Where once an honourable man or woman would sink four pints of light and bitter with lunch or dinner, seven days a week; the lads and ladettes now drinking six or seven pints in one night. Bingers, the lot of them.

But recently, the word has almost been reclaimed — and technology has paid a large part in that. Now people binge media — TV shows, films, computer games — until they go square-eyed. Netflix and chill because you don’t have to wait a week for the next episode of your favourite shows.

I’m guilty of it. Just this week, with family away, I have managed to watch one and a half series of the comedy show, Master of None on Netflix; 17 episodes in two or so days. Resisting the urge (need) to go to bed, playing one last show — which became two, then three and so on.

It’s the same with twitter, email and pretty much anything I can find on my iPhone screen. I can spend hours binging on information and knowledge; data. Scrawling through webpages, emails or message without ever thinking what it might be doing to me. How it might present who I am?

But now I do. As a means to increase productivity, I’ve resolved to tackle my “always on” mentality with email. I’ve looked at compiling Twitter lists or Flipboard magazines so I can just dip in and out, if a subject catches my attention. I’m also working with Headspace to prove I don’t always need to “consume”, I can sometimes switch off.

Sure I’ll occasionally drink to excess or watch a TV series in a day, you all saw a year ago, but I’ll at least acknowledge the fact before I do.

I am now a conscious binger. Well, unless wine is involved, but that’s a different learning programme I need to consider.

Chris King

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You can find me at chrisraphaelking.com

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