IT’S a scene that’s repeated across pretty much every household in Sussex every day.

It’s morning, it’s all quiet, the curtains are closed, the room pitch black and the occupants still asleep.

And then the silent slumber is interrupted by that tone we all recognise but dread to hear – the alarm.

Fifteen, 10, even five years ago, this triggered a flurry of action where people jumped out of bed and hurried to the bathroom before anyone else could barricade themselves in.

Then it was on to hurricane mode - kettle on, toaster down, coffee in the mug, toast up, butter spread and boiling water poured.

Coffee and toast were then wolfed down and a coat, lunch and work bag grabbed on the way out of the door in time to avoid the rush hour.

Nowadays though it’s all change.

The dreaded alarm is still greeted with a few groans, the muting of the beep and a quick peek at the time.

Then rather than jumping out of bed, it’s eyes slowly open, arm out and then eyes back down on to a smartphone or tablet.

Our focus remains this way for much of the next 16 hours until it’s time to jump back into bed at the end of another day.

I was guilty of this obsessive reliance on technology only a few days ago.

Waking up and immediately worried about having to scrape ice off the car, my partner asked me if she thought it had been frosty overnight.

Normally I would have jumped out of bed and peered through the curtains with squinted eyes past the immediate daylight to see if the grass was glistening.

But, with technology sitting just a few centimetres away, it was on to the tablet to click on the weather app and see what temperature the South Korean-made programme had registered on the South Coast of England.

I got an answer, a right one.

But thinking about the whole episode afterwards I began to feel a little ashamed.

It would have been far more satisfactory and probably quicker for me to just jump out of bed and peer through the curtains.

And deep down I know the view through windows of my house are far more entertaining and unpredictable to peer out of than the Windows on my computer.

It’s an episode that sums up life for many of us in the 21st century.

Most of our focus these days is on a virtual life.

The things we eat and drink are ordered online, we can make a living by not leaving the comfort of our own homes and conversations with friends are carried out on social media.

But while these things may be quicker and easier, is it actually any good for us?

Last week I spoke to a charity in Brighton called Safety Net.

It’s aim is to educate children about the various dangers and help them grow up safely and independently in the 21st century world.

Understandably, technology is a major part of this.

But while all the talk around monitoring young people was interesting, there was one comment that made me sit up and take note.

As part of its work, the charity is currently dealing with a number of digital media companies in the city.

And the managing director of one of those firms has introduced a new rule that all his staff are advised not to have any contact with phones, tablets or computers from 8pm to 8am, Monday to Friday.

Rather, the MD wants his staff to take time out, either talking to friends and family, reading or simply going for a late night stroll.

The hope is the employees will have a proper rest and come in feeling relaxed and ready to tackle another hard day where staring at a screen for eight to 10 hours is the norm.

This is a company that exists and thrives on technology. But even it is saying the digital takeover has become too much.

It’s a lesson we can all take on board.

Next time the alarm goes off and you feel the need to spring into action, don’t reach for the Windows on your phone or on your computer – take a look out of your own window.

You may be surprised at what you see.

The Argus: A beer drinkerA beer drinker

The other day I read an idea that seemed too good to be true.

Zalec, a small town in Slovenia, is planning to build a fountain that spurts out drinkable beer. Yes, beer.

Visitors will be invited to pay six euros for three 30cl drinks brewed locally and served in a commemorative mug.

Costing an estimated 350,000 euros to build, local councillors hope the fountain will increase tourism in the region, which is known for its hop plantations.

Well I for one will certainly be hopping on the next flight out there when it opens.

But with such an amazing heritage in Sussex when it comes to making beer.

Surely something like this would be a perfect fit in Sussex, with its amazing beer-making heritage?