My friend, Catherine White wrote an excellent post For whom the iPhone tolls. It raises the important issue of being able to disconnect from technology – turn the computer off, switch off the phone, hibernate the pad – just for a moment.
It got me thinking – what’s your routine for disconnecting from technology? Is it even necessary? I would love to discuss this with you in the comments below.
What are your thoughts?
What’s your routine for disconnecting from technology?
Is it becoming harder or easier – or is it even necessary to disconnect?
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24 Responses to this post
June 10, 2010 at 9:41 pm |
I believe this is an important discussion, as research shows neurological advantages. Research suggests that internet users show greater brain activity than nonusers. The downside is, that heightened activity predisposes us to addiction.
The social implications are far reaching. In fact I asked myself where will I be, not in ten years, nor five, but one year from now if bad habits prevail.
I wrote and printed a newsletter as a Civil Celebrant, which was mailed to a targeted audience of 1,500
The feature article is about online relationships preceding real life relationships. With a lap top or iPhone in our bed, that makes for three in the marriage bed.
As for me, I’m reclaiming my focus for life, and love of writing stories. While I value the tools made available to me, the internet is a faithless lover, distracted friend, and fair weather fiend.
June 10, 2010 at 9:49 pm |
I’m so glad I’ve held off from getting that iPhone!
Thank you, Catherine.
Your leading thoughts voice what I believe many are struggling with. It’s as if we are developing a dysfunctional kind of ‘come here – go away’ relationship with technology.
We love the power it gives us and run to check our messages and blog stats and crush our way into the Apple store to marvel at what’s next, but know deep down that something *is* suffering in our lives – in our core.
Your descriptions are wonderful.
Best, Robin
June 10, 2010 at 10:47 pm |
I wanted to reply to this post but my core pulled me away
sorry couldnt resist – will ponder this more seriously and let you know
Have a great sleep
Leanne
June 11, 2010 at 8:49 am |
Leanne, I can really relate to your cheeky sense of fun! Yes, I would also value your more considered contribution to this discussion.
Best, Robin
June 10, 2010 at 11:34 pm |
Hello, my name is Cat and I’m addicted to *connectivity technology*
I *heart* my iPhone … will resist the iPad and I make an effort each night to *turn-off* and *disconnect* from my technology sources. However, as you can see by the time of this post, I am lured back very easily even as I *shut-down* on the way to bed.
I will come back to this one over the weekend (after I have read Catherine’s post and thought through the costs / benefits of my technology addiction)… I am not sure it is *necessary* to shut-down my technolgy … but it is important to remember priorities …
June 11, 2010 at 8:56 am |
Thank you, Cat.
Reading your comment makes me marvel at the almost magnetic force that technology seems to now have. We end up having to ‘resist’ it, prioritize it – it ‘lures’ us.
Perhaps there is a ghost in the machine after all?
How did these inanimate objects get such power?
Best, Robin
June 11, 2010 at 12:17 am |
I’m at a loss now – despite all observable evidence to the contrary, I regularly disconnect from Technology, well almost.
You see I’m a lover of reading. I read recreationally at least an hour a day, and 3 on Saturdays. I play my guitar weekly, and my drums probably 4 – 5 times a week (still learning).
With a wife and 4 daughters, 3 at home, I have learned to listen (and cook, sew, iron & hang washing – although I don’t do that as much as I should).
Yet…
I read on my Kindle. It’s the same as paper in all important aspects, but better.
My guitars are amplified (& lessons often online), my drums are digital. I use my iPad as my Music Display.
More often than not, keeping up with the daily minutiae of my family, at least their opinions, feelings, and the happenings in their life, leads me to Facebook.
I nap to the sounds of wavelets on Loch Rannoch, courtesy of Ambiance on my iPhone.
Don’t get me wrong, I walk daily (considering tracking with Skimble), Waterski, Scubadive, Cycle, meditate, pray, and worship. But IT is as much a part of those activities, as the original “Information” technology – the pen, paper, the printing press.
The day we made a fire to cook, fashioned a wheel to transport, and moulded a coin to trade, was the day we left behind a world without technology…
How do you prepare your meals? Fashion your clothes? Get to work?
Surely Information Technology and the Internet is not a “line” we cross, but rather a spectrum we access. If this is the case then we should focus on intent of our use of tools.
If I’m talking to my 14 year old on MSN, is that better or worse than my neighbour, who bans MSN yet does not get to talk to his 14 year old?
If I’m learning about “Suspended Animation to save lives” or “Sustainable Fish Farming” from TED on my iPhone, is that better or worse than reading a 20 year old encyclopaedia written in an age when raping the planet’s resources was ignored in the pursuit of progress.
When all is said and done, my father taught me a favoured saying of the RAF during WWII: “Rules are for the obedience of fools, and the guidance of wise men”
Whether you “disconnect” (if that’s even possible), or are an “addict”; whether you need the discipline to have a regular daily time “away” from technology, or you can use the most effective medium for the task at hand, is up to you.
One of the problems with “rules” or “balance” is the adverse effects. There is no balance in life, only rhythm.
There is no single “fix” for everyone, or even for just one, all the time. Be conscious in your decisions, choose the most effective tool wisely, and use it with all the skill you can muster.
So Robin, it’s fine for you to get the iPhone. In your hands I see it as a powerful tool which enables diamond focus. I know you have the consciousness to use it wisely, to create magnificently, and to connect selflessly. I have no doubt it will shorten workflows, and allow you more time to draw/think/consult. It will also give you an empathetic, even visceral insight into FOXY’s
And now, “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest” on my Kindle
June 11, 2010 at 1:24 am |
Roger your elegant comment is arguably the most eloquent case for connectivity.
For someone who is yet to acquire either an iPhone or Blackberry, Robin’s online track record in nine months is stunning example of what can be achieved, without a hand held device.
Connection that cuts beneath a nano second of 140 characters, is a little like sincerity. Fake that, and you can fake anything.
June 11, 2010 at 9:36 am |
I love your thoughts, Catherine.
I would also have to factor in my huge ignorance as far as technology goes. I’m so easily lost in the thick, dense forest of products, upgrades, must-haves, game changers and awesomeness. It’s just easier (ironically) to stay with my ‘primitive versions’.
To Rog’s point, I’m the guy who travels by ship and uses the phone equivalent of a hollowed coconut.
PS: I really like how we stay in touch using skype whilst you are in New York.
Best, Robin
June 11, 2010 at 9:28 am |
Thank you, Rog. Your contributions are always rich and thought provoking. That’s what I love about meeting you face-to-face, you bring and share in a way that expands my thinking.
So much of this seems to come down to how you define your relationship with ‘things’ i.e. machines, objects.
Perhaps there’s a line that get’s crossed by some, and it’s not so much the online-offline line (:). Rather the line of possession i.e. when people shift from a relationship of ‘possessing things’ to one of being ‘possessed by things’. The slave becomes the master.
Your thoughts?
Robin
June 11, 2010 at 8:40 am |
Life is a kaleidoscope of connectivity to one another, places, experiences. Increasingly this is online. But technology is about enablement. Two thoughts:
1) How much do we lose by not using the tools which can enable us? You can get to New York by ship, but in an age of intercontinental jet travel, that would not exemplify the best use of your time. Then again you can connect with people face to face instantly with Skype, Messenger, ooVoo. Thinking about the planet, we should be using this technology more frequently. My point for Robin is that to demonstrate diamond tipped focus, having mobile technology would remove barriers and enable him to connect more comprehensively irrespective of location. He connects anyway, we all do, but choosing not to use the most appropriate tools available is like cooking boiling a pot of water on a fire, when you could use an electric jug.
2) My 2nd thought is about purpose. Again Robin exemplifies this. He tweets, comments, provokes, and blogs more than anyone I know. There is nothing wrong in taking that ship to NYC, if your purpose is to slow down. My parents are at this moment driving to South Africa from the UK. They’re emigrating and could’ve flown, but they’re purpose was to see the continent, to take the trip slowly, to have an adventure. Even so, they stayed connected to the family wih Skype, and their blog: http://fishinamanzi.info
If your purpose not to get a phone is to stay disconnected, or less connected, you’ve failed already and are missing out on enabling technology. If your purpose is to put space into your day, use the off button, they all come with one
Posted unashamedly from my iPad in bed
June 11, 2010 at 9:49 am |
There’s that cheeky sense of humour that I like!
I would embrace later-version technology if the cost of entry wasn’t so high. By ‘cost’, I mean hassle-factor, time invested, friction added to my day.
To keep up with the technology bus means having to stay up-to-date with versions, models, features, apps etc. This takes time and energy – understandably.
So for me there’s a never ending mad Escher staircase that goes something like…invest all this time and effort into getting technology that saves me time and effort…until the next must-have ‘thang’ comes along.
That we buy into this loop is a technology marketers (and hence stock holders) dream.
Your thoughts?
Robin
PS: loved your iPad demo yesterday.
June 11, 2010 at 8:41 am |
I get into the forest, on the moors, where there isn’t even a building in site.
And if I can’t do that, I read.
But my best de-connection, and most relaxing activity, is actually meeting new people. I love it.
Scott
June 11, 2010 at 9:51 am |
Let’s face out Scot, without technology, we wouldn’t have met and grown such a wonderful connection between us.
It will be fabulous when we can ‘disconnect’ and meet in real life.
Best, Robin
June 11, 2010 at 9:23 am |
What a timely discussion!
As a business that is totally geared to producing editorial both on and offline, recently, we’ve had to take a close look at our actual process of following leads, stories, writing copy, photography and generating revenue.
It’s been an interesting experiment over the last few weeks insomuch that the less time online has actually ‘increased’ our productivity ‘and’ revenue. Good old-fashioned phone-calls followed by a ruthless regime of ‘head-down’ editorial production has actually been the driver for significant change in partnerships, cash-flow and more opportunities on the horizon.
I suppose I feel vindicated as it has always been my suspicion that an SM dominated work-day is ultimately only going to be of value if it’s a good business fit. The balance of fostering connection with one’s community is of course vital. However, staying totally focused on the core business production line is too.
It’s becoming increasing clear to me that we can fall into the trap of thinking online presence has to be dominant. But, if, as we do, speak to people via articles, photography and editorial comment, it’s all part of the value-added cycle of connectivity.
There’s a side issue too. Something I’m developing an article on and it’s this: there are certain people and businesses that are a turn off, mainly because of their dominant approach to online communication via SM and, as I’ve mentioned in the past, non-transferable skills, personality and philosophy offline – which is where the real business is solidified. Can they talk about something else? It’s kind of important isn’t it?
So. In short. Picking up the phone and speaking directly to people quickly and early on stops a wastage of online time. Being ruthless in blocking off time to focus on production mashed with shut-out time to actually allow ones brain to assimilate and create has been successful for us. It’s increased the bottom line and that’s a real-world, three-dimensional measurement of success.
I think this discussion is really important. I’m certainly unconvinced as to the ‘catch-all’ SM philosophy.
I like Roger’s zen-like approach. It’s a good philosophical fit and it immediately makes me warm to someone if I feel they have a life offline and have the discipline(s) to live it. That advertises balance and poise. I like that.
And Catherine’s points resonate completely. The question of where we’ll be in years to come is really one of context I think. There are so many economical and environmental changes on the horizon and a world-shift in socio-economics, the iPad and iPhone dominated discussions will almost be social taboos; mimicking the ‘loadsamoney’ city-speak rejection of the 80s. There’s an increasing number of people backing off and shutting down from the SM noise too. We’ve been working with some interesting people and studies recently.
It’s a great topic and spills over into many psychological and sociological areas. Good one!
Good post Mr D
Best wishes,
Luke
June 11, 2010 at 10:05 am |
What I really loved about our connection, Luke was the way we quickly moved to voice-to-voice. Our conversations have been rich.
For a relationship to grow – business and/or personal, the richness of communication must increase i.e. shared written words > shared spoken words > shared physical presence and touch etc.
Technology manufacturers have yet to really grasp the idea of richness in communication and relationships.
For example, blogs are designed for broadcasting, with comments tacked on as an after thought. Same for services like Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.
The future of technology belongs to those who can build to this richness.
Your thoughts?
Best, Robin
June 11, 2010 at 11:51 am |
Interesting to hear Luke say ‘There’s an increasing number of people backing off and shutting down from the SM noise too’
For all the discussion about the old advertising push model vs the social media pull, I’ve observed that SM has lost it’s way, and now mirrors the very model it denounces.
June 11, 2010 at 7:16 pm |
That’s very interesting. In your opinion, what happens next on the SM front?
June 11, 2010 at 7:53 pm |
You write a book
June 18, 2010 at 9:16 am |
I’ll get to it!
June 12, 2010 at 10:06 am |
A more serious (although uneducated) answer to your question about the future of Social Media is, analytics, analytics, analytics., and location, location, location.
Companies want to know the who, what, when and ‘why’ of all the chatter.
The average user’s voice will become louder and stronger, therefore Marketers will use unfiltered conversations to drive change.
Social Media is fast becoming the new Focus Group.
Organic social media will give way to a more scientific model driven by search engine optimization.
Hope this helps.
Essentially, social will not continue as the warm and fuzzy free for all so many believe it to be.
Hope this helps
Catherine
June 18, 2010 at 9:18 am |
This is excellent, Catherine. Thank you. I love your thought that “Social Media is fast becoming the new Focus Group.” This makes a lot more sense to me.
Robin
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