Ellen DeGeneres says she doesn’t use a computer or e-mail

What’s something about yourself that people don’t know?
I don’t have a computer, and I don’t use e-mail! I don’t own a Blackbetter either. I don’t think it’s healthy to always be texting and online all the time. I hate it when you’re having lunch with someone and they’re looking down at their BlackBerry, punching away.

[From Star Magazine, print edition, May 19, 2008]

I had a 70-something teacher in college who would give us handwritten hand outs and I thought the guy was a great teacher, but behind the times. He said he didn’t know how to type and didn’t want to ever use a computer and I just chalked it up to his age. Both of my retired parents are adept computer and Internet users, and I find it surprising when someone says they’re proud not to get online or use e-mail. It’s such a useful tool and one I can’t imagine living without for an extended period of time.

Ellen is right though that it can be an unhealthy addiction, and one that I’ve been accurately accused of. I always use the excuse that it’s my job, but I also have this need to try and keep up with everything and that can be consuming. Still, it’s like everything else and you can use it in moderation. It just seems like too much of a useful tool to completely abstain from using it. Maybe it’s easier not to use e-mail or a computer when you have a whole staff of people working for you like Ellen.

Ellen Degeneres is shown on 4/26/08 at the GLAAD Media Awards, thanks to PRPhotos.

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