Asking that question here might not return a lot of first-hand responses.
But on the question of:
I read an article written by a journalist in the US who did not own a mobile phone. People thought there was something mentally wrong with him. Is there something wrong with people who do not "share the dream" of technology?
- I have my own perspective.
The short answer is "No". There is nothing wrong with people who do not wish to "share the dream" as you put it - but there are many who would argue black and blue that there was.
The simple fact is - that the technology one wishes to include in their own lives is a choice they make, based on their needs. IF they don't need it, then why take it up?
In more than a few situations, I am sure, peer pressure has been a major factor - and for those who are strongly influenced by it, there is little avenue to escape. It is compounded by the establishment of social interaction through technology and the subsequent (all too frequently, unhealthy) dependence on it. IMHO Smartphones and Facebook are a deadly mix, but of those who have been immersed in this world, few have the ability to see life being possible without it. These are the people who will criticise because they honestly can't imagine anybody being able to function otherwise.
I once worked for a boss who was the manager and half owner of a retail electronics store. His contact list was held in a little black book (literally - it was one of those 2" x 3" vinyl covered notebooks) and despite selling mobile phones, never had one of his own for many years - and when he finally DID get one (because of pressure from the spouse) only turned it on when he wanted to make a call. He was, and still is, a successful businessman.
Then we have the techno-snobs. Those that just want to feel better about themselves by the technology they can flaunt. To them, the choice is Android or iOS not Android, iOS or a writing pad. These are people who will criticise just because they can.
Me? Well, I had my first encounter with a transistor when I was 8 (an AC126) and have been a hobbyist ever since - so my interest in technology has been a life-long one, but I haven't lost my soul to it. Out of curiosity, I picked up a cheap "smart watch" to have a play and see if the basic technology would demonstrate any potential for tangible benefit to me ... that it could provide me with something I otherwise could not have. End result - yeah, it does a couple of things but, in the end, its not for me.
And if that's not enough, the simple fact that this journalist has a job and allows him to publicly declare his lack of personal technological entanglement shows that technology isn't essential.