Everywhere you look, you’ll see gadgets, apps, and digital conveniences; it’s easy to feel like every piece of technology is essential. For many of us, tech supports our work, our learning, our communication, and even our creativity. But not every tool is actually useful or helpful… or needed. When I look closely at my own habits and routines, I find two categories of technology I could happily live without: video games, and over-engineered “smart” gadgets that solve problems no one really has.
Video games are the one form of tech I wouldn’t miss if they disappeared tomorrow. Many people enjoy them but I’d rather read a book.
The other unnecessary tech? Fancy gadgets that overcomplicate life. Refrigerators with TV screens so I can stream a show or check what’s inside my fridge? I can spare the extra second to open the door. And we already have smartphones and tablets to stream videos. Watching my fridge is overkill.
Everything else, though, plays a meaningful role in my day-to-day life. Computers and phones keep my business running through virtual meetings, calendars, photo organization, restaurant menu previews, navigation to places, and quick calculations. YouTube has become a personal classroom for learning languages and new skills. And AI has become an essential partner for speeding up foundational research, streamlining tasks, and helping me work more efficiently.
In the end, the best technology isn’t the flashiest. It’s the tech that keeps you going from day to day.
Vanya Wryter Consulting Services 
So true, we have made ourselves servants, not masters, of technology. A thought provoking piece!
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Thanks for reading!
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I’m with you. I would rather read a book than play video games. They give me a headache every time I play with my son.
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I find video games exhausting – they can last for hours!
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Yes! My limit is about 15 minutes. That’s all I can handle before getting a headache.
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I can relate!
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Fine examples. Not familiar with that type of refrigerator and certainly live without it. I have an ice maker and would love to have an ice or cold water option on the fridge door.
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I just heard about that type of fridge and I can do without it too. I’ve been to homes with an ice maker and cold water dispenser in the fridge door. Pretty cool! Although the ice sometimes flies out onto the floor, while missing your glass entirely.
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My friend’s refrigerator has that problem occasionally.
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Airplanes. I stopped flying before 9/11. what’s the rush? But before I was born – maybe gunpowder. The Internet? Maybe a net negative.
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Speaking of gunpowder, now they’re using drones for fireworks shows. At least no more loud explosions to scare animals.
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I’d rather read a book too though I gather games are very popular.
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I used to enjoy video games but now I prefer to read or watch educational shows! What books do you like to read?
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My reading tastes are eclectic…. literary fiction, the classics, historical fiction, informative/inspiring nonfiction, to name a few. Thank you for asking, Vanya. What about you?
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I can see how those types of reading inspire your poetry! I read nonfiction and urban fantasy!
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🤓👍🏻
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I rely a lot on technology for my work but I wouldn’t miss video games either.
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I think a lot of people who write rely on technology. Some people still handwrite for personal writing, but for professional writing, it’s all tech!
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Yup, exactly!
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Quite the challenge, Vanya. For me, it is all the home devices trying to convince me they should all be synced for voice command.
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Your comment reminds me…. as much as I like using AI for work, I dislike how all these apps are deciding that they’re going to use my content to train for AI. Let me decide how I want AI to help me!
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